"Is Reggie Bullock here?" Kareem Abdul-Jabbar asked. When the NBA legend called his name, Reggie Bullock immediately sat up and looked at the Skype communication on the big screen in the team lounge. He replied with a respectful smile, "Yes, sir. "
Jaba announced that Bullock is the winner of the 2022 Social Justice Champion Award. This award is named by Jaba and will be awarded starting in 2021 to commend players who have contributed to social justice and racial equality. The first winner is Carmelo Anthony .
The NBA officially recognized Bullock’s determination to pursue social justice and his ability to stand up for the LGBTQ+ community as the perfect candidate for the Social Justice Champion Award. Bullock accepted the award, and Jia Ba praised him for his continued work and voice for the LGBTQ+ community.
“I never expected that I would win the award,” Bullock said in an interview. “I have been fighting for the LGBTQ+ concept for several years, trying to make some meaningful contribution to the right things, and hoping to make society better and more harmonious. . It is very memorable to be named for this, and it is also the most important award in my life."
LGBTQ+ NBA spokesperson
In 2014, Bullock was still trying to gain a foothold in the NBA. His performance was not as good as expected. When he finally showed some performance, he suffered an ankle sprain and was sidelined. He was also preparing to regroup and train in the offseason to fight for a place. However, after a football practice, Bullock suddenly found that his cell phone was full of text messages from his sister, mother and grandmother, as well as missed calls from the police. When Bullock called his sister back, he learned that someone had found him in a dark alley in Baltimore. The body of Mia Henderson, Bullock's transgender sister.
According to the latest official statistics from the United States, the homosexual community accounts for 5.6% of the total population. They are also the most persecuted and discriminated ethnic group in the United States, and are often targeted and discriminated against. Henderson, whose real name is Kevin Long, has played with Bullock since he was a child and supported him all the way to the NBA.
From the moment his sister passed away, Bullock took it as his responsibility to make the public better understand the LGBTQ community. Bullock joined the Mavericks in 2021 and also joined local Dallas communities and human rights groups such as the black social welfare organization Abounding Prosperity, the black transgender women's group House of Rebirth, etc. In June 2021, Bullock published an article "I Just Wanna Say My Sisters' Names" in Players' Tribune, writing about the death of her sister Henderson and the consecutive shootings of another sister, Keiosha Moore, on the streets of Baltimore in 2019. He died of serious injuries after being shot.
Bullock was heartbroken. After the deaths of two family members, he blamed himself for not being able to protect his family. He also couldn't believe that five years later another member of his family was taken away by a shooting. .
The NBA will donate $100,000 to the organization designated by the winning player, and Bullock chose the Kinston Teens, a youth group in his hometown of Kingston, North Carolina. The core purpose of this group is to help youth development and fight for gay rights.
When asked why he supports the LGBTQ+ community so much, Bullock said directly that his original intention was because of his family's regrets. "My sister's death was the starting point, but the more I learned about it, the more I realized it means more. I hope to fight for the right things and help People in need fight for a better life and rights."
"We are not just basketball players, we are also people who want to promote and promote." Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd said, "I think what Reggie did is of great significance and extends the value of basketball to other fields. "
island investment plan
Bullock has always been one of the most distinctive players in the NBA. He is very hardworking on the court, committed to social justice and courageous to speak out off the court. Bullock's money concept is also very unique. Although he signed a three-year, 30.5 million contract with the Mavericks in 2021, he did not spend his salary on luxury goods, luxury homes and sports cars. In addition to investing in charity, this is his largest recent investment. He bought an island in Belize and became a "sea island owner".
"Putting resources in the most efficient place has always been my view on money. I have been looking for different development opportunities and investment targets." Bullock currently allocates some assets to stocks, real estate, side businesses, etc., but none of them are A considerable amount of investment, and this time buying and building an island is the largest investment in his career. "I found that there are good potential opportunities in Belize. My family and I often go to vacation around the Caribbean and enjoy different Island Activities and Island Hopping Trips"
Belize is located in Central America, bordering Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the south and west, and the Caribbean Sea to the east. Most of the land is undeveloped. The surrounding islands are rich in biodiversity, as well as many jungles and wild animals. The protected area, coupled with the always warm and pleasant weather that keeps you cool and comfortable even in the hot summer months, and the fact that in winter it feels cooler rather than cold, has been voted a good country to visit many times.
Belize is also the only English-speaking country in Central America. It attracts many Canadians, Europeans, and Americans to retire here, and many investors and wealthy people come here to look for business opportunities. Bullock often goes to nearby islands for vacation, and meets in Belize. Reese had been connected with the investment team that he had been working on for a long time, and he often went to the Caribbean for vacation, so he decided to invest.
Bullock bought an independent island of about 5 hectares. After evaluating it with his team and family, he thought it was a very good island resort. He aimed to build resorts, pool villas, etc., and hoped to create a unique island culture and characteristics. To attract tourists, "I'm constantly thinking about whether I can provide others with a different choice for vacation enjoyment." Bullock said.
During the 2019-20 season, Bullock discussed the possibility of buying the island with his Knicks teammate Dennis Smith Jr. at the time, which also started his in-depth research. After learning more, Bullock got some information. There are several islands with white sand beaches on the Caribbean coast of South Belize, close to the popular resort island of Placencia, and he began to think about the possibility of buying one of them.
Under the impact of the new coronavirus, Bullock, after consulting with many players and financial investment advisors who are good at investing, definitely took further action. "I am about to turn 30 and my playing career has begun to count down. I have to be prepared for the next step." A player's career plan." In 2021, Bullock first sent his mother, girlfriend and sisters to inspect an island with an asking price of 2 million. After many observations and negotiations, Bullock decided to buy the island and named it "Bullock Little "Bullock Caye", Caye refers to a small island covered with corals and beaches. Bullock also visited his island for the first time during the 2022 All-Star Game.
"The first thing I saw was that the water was super clear and beautiful," Bullock said. "Many people from California and Texas, such as doctors, would be willing to spend 300,000 to 400,000 to buy a vacation villa on the beach. The people and food here are great. It’s very cool, with dynamic water activities and leisurely fishing. There are many great grouper resources here, and the whole feeling is so fascinating.”
Bullock plans to build a 370-square-meter residence for himself and his family on the island, as well as eight vacation villas for tourists. Beyond that, his entire business plan also includes restaurants, bars, spas, basketball courts, fitness centers and infinity pools. Bullock has also been discussing with islanders to listen to suggestions, including owning multiple islands in Placencia and being the big local island owner who sold the islands to Bullock.
In order to make the most efficient use of resources, Bullock also specially recruited talents to form a management team, including lawyers and accountants to handle administrative work. It also hired a local father and son to perform daily maintenance on the island, including cleaning up shells, corals and conch. “It’s just like building a team in the NBA. You need to find a team you can trust and come up with ideas that can make the island cooler and more attractive. I want everyone to be a part of this future resort. "
"I think it's pretty cool. His investment ideas and actions are very novel." Bullocks' former teammate Jalen Brunson said, "Reggie is a person with a strong sense of family. This is what I admire about him. I believe this is why he bought the island. One of the original intentions.”
Bullock expects to complete all construction designs for Bullock Cay Island in 2023, which will be able to accommodate approximately 40 visitors per day. To get to Bullock Cay Island, you must first fly to Belize, then transfer to a small plane to Placencia, and then take a boat to arrive in about 10 minutes.
Relaxation, spontaneity and leisure are Bullock's vision for the island. Many Mavericks teammates and NBA players have already booked time to go on vacation after completion. Bullock himself has planned to devote most of his time and energy to his own island after retirement, but currently his focus is still on helping the Mavericks. "Most of my life has been spent on basketball and training. I hope to settle in a relaxing and comfortable place after retirement.”
