Serenade Squad what's goin on?? We're back with our THIRD and FINAL instalment to our "Black Star" features for Black History Month.
This week we have a dope convo with Elijah Langford, an Atlantic City native (home team stand up!) who has dedicated his journey to serving and being a role model to the people he's connected with and his community. He has been able to impact both the youth, as a basketball coach for Atlantic City High School, and communities across the state as a Community Outreach Coordinator for the state of New Jersey.
This is a convo you want to pay attention to so chill and sit back with us as we chop it up with Elijah.
SSA: What’s up King! Let the people know who you are and what you do:
Elijah: My name is Elijah Langford. I’m a high school basketball coach at Atlantic City high school and a community outreach coordinator for the state of NJ. Most people consider me a philanthropist because of the many community giveback initiatives that I’ve done. I’d say that’s probably what I’m most known for these days.
SSA: Love seeing our people give back to their communities so big ups to your current titles! What interested you in stepping into the philanthropic field?:
Elijah: I got into philanthropy back in 2011. I’ve always been one to try and make people happy and feel good about themselves. After doing individual, small, day to day efforts to make people happy, I challenged myself to begin doing larger projects affecting larger groups of people. My hope was to inform, inspire, or simply make people happy, because who doesn’t deserve that?
SSA: Always about the people as it should be!
So we know that you hold a state position but you always make sure to bring it back to the home team. The saying of “being a product of your environment” seems to always have a negative connotation around it when in actuality it can be the very thing that fuels us and our passions.
How has being from Atlantic City helped mold you into the person you are today?
Elijah: If I weren’t from Atlantic City I would not be the man who I am today. Growing up in a city filled with millions of dollars on the business side, but at the same time so much poverty on the community side, really gives you a different perspective on things. Unlike New York, or Chicago, or LA, AC is only 5 miles long. It’s composed of 48 blocks. Extremely small. Watching the most rich and famous people come by, have the time of their life, win lots of money, and ride right past those struggling to make ends meet always rubbed me the wrong way. It inspired me to do my part to give to those without, their fair share of things.
SSA: Definitely. It’s crazy how there can be two completely different worlds within the same city and most people are unaware of the other side of AC. and for that side people don't see it's important that our communities have someone changing the narrative.
With the work you’ve done, it's pretty safe to say you have become a role model in your community. Can you tell us a project or event you've done that really left a great impression on the people you served and yourself?
Elijah: I think most people's favorite initiative of mine would definitely be “A Pink Evening with Elijah''. That was an initiative where I took 10 women who have survived cancer out to dinner on my birthday. My birthday is in October which is also Breast cancer awareness month instead of only acknowledging breast cancer, I included all forms of cancer. The meal was fully paid for and we rode in style, arriving in a stretch limousine hummer.
For me however, I think it will be Joy 4 Jersey. It was my most recent initiative and it was an initiative where we selected four cities in the state of New Jersey. The cities were Atlantic City, Camden Newark and Trenton. We did Christmas for several families in each city that were severely affected by Covid or any other unfortunate circumstances. Being able to expand outside of AC felt really good. Ultimately I want to impact the entire world.
SSA: What does the title “Black Star” mean to you?:
Elijah: A Black Star to me means, EVERYTHING. It’s no secret that African Americans have had a disadvantage to say the least. So to rise above those disadvantages and become someone who your culture can be proud of is a black star!
SSA: Say that king! Black is strength and we continue to overcome adversaries each day. As we go through the highs and lows of our journey, we come to learn that there is beauty in the struggle (shout out to J. Cole!), what keeps you going through the tough times?
Elijah: The fear of complacency and mediocrity. I don’t want to die an average person. I would feel like I failed life. I want to die with a legacy [and] be thought of as someone extraordinary to say the least. Someone who was for the people and thought of as a really nice person.
SSA: We hear you! The goal is to use every gift we have and share it with the world. How will you continue to use your platform to uplift the culture/people ?
Elijah: I’ll just continue to be myself. Helping people and looking for causes that touch me, directly or indirectly. I think it’s no better way to spend your life than to inspire, educate or assist someone and that’s what I plan to do for the rest of my days.
SSA: What does Black History mean to you?
Elijah: Black history means OUR story. Where we’ve been. Our resilience, our determination, our greatness, our strength, our influence, and our brilliance.
SSA: What’s one lesson you’ve learned that has really influenced the person you are now?
Elijah: I lost my baby sister to a rare birth defect. She was 4 years old, I was 10. It was 5 days before my 11th birthday. Her entire life, from the birth, to her life itself, and then her death all shaped my way of thinking from an early age. Seeing her struggles, and the things she was incapable of doing such as not being able to walk or talk, and having multiple seizures daily. All taught me to never make excuses or feel bad for myself. To always be grateful and to remain humble!
SSA: She is definitely smiling down and you and super proud of everything you are. It's clear to see that she made an impression on who you are and what you do but what do you want YOUR lasting impact to be?:
Elijah: I want my lasting impact to be a guy who made it, simply his way. A man who was full of integrity, fairness, kindness, ambition, and a really cool dude as well. Hopefully I’m someone who can spark the brain of someone, who will ultimately go on and do some life changing things that’ll impact the world we live in. That’s a big WANT, but I was taught to shoot for the stars.
SSA: “I'm not saying I'm gonna change the world, but I guarantee that I will spark the brain that will change the world.” is one of our favorite quotes from Tupac and you are on the right track to make an impact that huge king!
Can you leave our Serenade Squad with a piece of advice you’ve received that has helped you flourish?:
Elijah: “If it was easy, everyone would do it!”
That always reminds me that my purpose is different and that I’m here for a reason. It motivates me when things get tough and encourages me to keep going! That’s my favorite reminder of “It’s not on you, it’s in you” .
We aim for conversations that connect so Leave us some love in the comments and let us know what resonated with you the most.
Make sure you follow Elijah @mynameis_e on IG to keep up with his journey and upcoming events