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He has experienced success as both an athlete and an entrepreneur and the Detroit Legend credits the adults, he met along the way who helped build the foundation for success. “I didn’t get here by myself in terms of success,” said Isiah Thomas, keynote speaker at the 11thAnnual MIRF Scholarship Luncheon. “There was always someone along the way helping me. You never know who you are reaching out to and who that little kid is going to be. I got here through a lot of charity work in terms of people, organizations, teams and schools I attended. Some of those people wrote checks and they never knew who I was, and I was the beneficiary of those people’s good will. Being here today is about giving back and to help other kids.”
As the youngest of nine kids, Isiah grew up being known as “junior” wearing his sister’s clothes as hand me downs. That little boy living in Chicago never foresaw the path his life would take as an NBA Champion to the owner of Cheurlin Champagne. “I was a little kid who was just looking for food. I was trying to find something to eat. There was the poverty line and the line below poverty and that was us. We were below the poverty line. I was always scrounging looking for something to eat. You meet good people along the way. Paths open up in life. I am glad to have these multiple opportunities in life and these lines to go down.”
That was part of his message to the 29 scholarship winners, their sponsors and families. He shared his story and left students with a message of appreciation, hope, preparedness and success. “Always live with joy and find the happiness whatever you do,” he said. “Smile and be happy even though there will bad times. There is always that silver lining you can find.”
He shared some disappointments he experienced on the court and games he lost as well as opportunities in businesses he ventured into. “I didn’t’ know anything about Champagne” said Isiah, “but do you know what I did?” He asked the students. “I did my research. I did my homework much like what you are doing today. I learned what I needed to know and today I am able to stand up here and tell you a lot about grapes and champagne because I studied.”
Haitham Thomas from Heather’s Liquor Land in Redford attended the event for his daughter Christina, recent Mercy High School graduate who is heading to Oakland University in the fall. “Isiah Thomas has always been my favorite athlete, so whatever he would say would be perfect,” said Haitham. “I loved how he told the kids about research and how he knew nothing about Champagne, but he talked to people, he networked and learned about champagne. He was basically telling these kids that they can do whatever they want if they put their minds to it. He was an inspiration.”
Isiah not only enjoys the business of the bubbly but truly savors the quality of his product. “What I love about our champagne is that there is no or very little sugar in it. I can drink it without getting a headache. Most champagnes are high in sulfates and sugar,” he said. “I can drink our champagne and enjoy it.”
