This is certainly interesting, to say the least. Some might describe it as something other than interesting. Former San Francisco 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo and his wife Candy are joining Jim and Monique Brown, and others in co-hosting a pre-inauguration day party in Washington, D.C. The event is taking place on Thursday, January 19 from 12:30 to 3 p.m. ET. Ray Lewis and Bobby Knight are among those who will be in attendance.
I found out about the event after someone retweeted Donald Trump giving it a plug. Brown is the primary host, as part of his “Amer-I-Can” program. Brown founded the organization in 1988 with the goal of helping to, “enable individuals to meet their academic potential, to conform their behavior to acceptable society standards, and to improve the quality of their lives by equipping them with the critical life management skills to confidently and successfully contribute to society.”
Eddie DeBartolo and former Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Derrick Brooks created a charter school in Tampa, Florida, and I imagine DeBartolo’s interest in education is how he got involved in Brown’s organization. Brown and Lewis both met with Trump a couple weeks back, while Knight spoke in support of Trump during the campaign. I don’t know if DeBartolo has any recent connection with Trump. They both have done plenty of work in real estate, so that’s one thing.
The event is honoring four individuals (see the list below), and for $1,000 you can attend. For $2,500, you can go to a “private VIP briefing” with Brown and Lewis. I live in DC, but I don’t think I’ll be splurging for this event. If you decide to come to town to blow some dough on this, give me a shout!
Join @AmerIcan32, founded by Hall of Fame legend @JimBrownNFL32 on 1/19/2017 in Washington, D.C.https://t.co/14DGDrIlcl pic.twitter.com/XwSmQVFuoM
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 30, 2016