On January 28th, Mr. Kwame Asante was honored for his 50 years of service as a volunteer assistant basketball coach and game announcer for all of the basketball games. He has earned his recognition as “The Official Voice of Boys and Girls High Kangaroos.”

When Kwame was 23, his brother Gene introduced him to the then-principal of Boys & Girls High, the legendary Frank Mickens. That began his journey at the school, which he came to see as a responsibility. This was brought home when his cousin, the late Assemblyman Al Vann, told him, “Stay on your post.”

Given the shoulders he stood on, Mr. Asante could do little else but stay on his post. After all, he was mentored by Reverend Johnny Ray Youngblood, guided by Baba Jitu Weusi, and ordained by Reverend Herbert Daughtry.

Mr. Asante received his African name in Ghana in 1996 and acts as a spiritual advisor to the teams. He has been married to Paulette V. Johnson for 50 years. Ms. Johnson is a former assistant principal for foreign Languages at Midwood High.