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Maurice Ballard, founder of Youth Community and Awareness, Inc. hosted the first annual Trayvon Martin Basketball Tournament at Scarangella Park in Brooklyn, New York.

The tournament, which gathered over 300 kids from the Marlboro and Coney Island sections of Brooklyn, promoted diversity and anti-violence strategies and was graced by the presence of actor Pooch Hall. It is no coincidence that the tournament took place in this specific location, a once racially segregated neighborhood and Maurice's stomping grounds as a youth. Maurice spoke about racism in Bensonhurst during his upbringing in the 80s and touched upon the ever-present nature of the topic in today's world.

Adopted and raised by VH1's Mob Wife, Ramona Rizzo's Italian family in Bensonhurst, Maurice is grateful for the support and upbringing that was bestowed upon him. Maurice pays his gratefulness forward through his non-profit organization, Youth and Community Awareness Inc. He gives back to the youth with his program, Bringing Back Baseball, which helps to keep baseball relevant within the African-American community. The kids also learn about soccer, hockey, and lacrosse. Maurice doesn't just focus on sports with his kids. As a motivator, he teaches the young people in his program how to be successful in the game of life.

Maurice would know, as he is also a filmmaker. He has a documentary, A Bensonhurst Tale, and a feature film, The Ballard of Bensonhurst, which focuses on growing up with an Italian-American family.

Videographer: Jesse Whitehead

Video and Text Editor: Ruth J. Morrison