NEW YORK – In a move to engage young people worldwide, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has named Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as a global cultural ambassador.
The NBA Hall of Famer and all-time scoring leader will promote the importance of education, social and racial tolerance, cultural understanding and using sports as a means of empowerment. His appointment was announced Wednesday by the State Department.
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“It’s a great honor and I’m thrilled that they see me as the person that could get this done,” he said in a phone interview.
The 64-year-old said he remembers a similar program under President John F. Kennedy where speakers came to his school in Harlem. “So now I get to follow in the footsteps of one of my heroes,” he said.
Ann Stock, assistant secretary of state for education and cultural affairs, said Abdul-Jabbar will travel the world to engage a generation of young people to help promote diplomacy.
Stock said Tuesday the appointment is part of Clinton’s vision of “Smart Power” that combines diplomacy, defense and development to “bridge the gap in a tense world through young people.”
Abdul-Jabbar said he will share his take on life in America, adding: “I’ll be doing a few basketball clinics, too.”
He will make his first official trip Sunday when he travels to Brazil for a number of events centering on education.
“I look forward to meeting with young people all over the world and discussing ways in which we can strengthen our understanding of one another through education, through sports and through greater cultural tolerance,” he said.
Since his retirement in 1989, Abdul-Jabbar has been involved in projects focused on African-American history and socio-economic justice. His 2011 documentary, “On the Shoulders of Giants,” sought to highlight these issues. He has launched the Skyhook Foundation, which works to improve children’s lives through education and sports.
Russell Brand to interview Ringo Starr
NEW YORK – British actor-comedian Russell Brand will interview former Beatles drummer Ringo Starr for Sirius XM Radio.
“Town Hall With Ringo Starr” will air live from Los Angeles on Jan. 30. Music producer Don Was will moderate the Q&A, and Starr will perform at the event. A day later, Starr will release his 17th solo album, “Ringo 2012.”
Brand said in a statement Thursday that he’s a “massive fan” of Starr, “but like most people I am ignorant as to his life before he rose to prominence with ‘Thomas the Tank Engine.’ “
Added Brand: “Now we can unravel the enigma of Ringo.”
Past “Town Hall” specials have featured Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Coldplay and members of Nirvana.
Springsteen’s newest album due March 6
NEW YORK – Bruce Springsteen’s new album, “Wrecking Ball,” will be out March 6, and he’s just released a new single, “We Take Care of Our Own.”
Although the song is musically upbeat, it references the struggles of America with lyrics like: “Where’s the promise, from sea to shining sea?” Other songs on the 11-track album include “Death to My Hometown,” “This Depression” and “Easy Money.”
The announcement was made Thursday morning on the rocker’s website.
Springsteen’s manager, Jon Landau, who is also the executive producer of the album, calls the writing on the disc “some of the best of his career.”
“Wrecking Ball” is Springsteen’s 17th album and the first since the death of E Street Band saxophonist Clarence Clemons last year. Springsteen and the band are due to go on tour this year, but it hasn’t been revealed who may step in for Clemons.
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