Chicago suburb to honor NBA legend Dwyane Wade | ChicagoLIVE

Looking forward to this next interview for sure. We're talking about a three-time NBA champion, Hall of Famer, proud son of the Chicago suburbs, is a suburban kid myself. A little extra special for me. Now the community of Robbins is going to be honoring basketball icon Dwayne Wade in a permanent way. Here to tell us more about those historic days, the mayor of Robbins, Darren Bryant. Thank you, Mr. Mayor, for joining us for this big moment. It is. Can you all hear me? Yeah, we can hear you. We can hear you really good. Good, good. So Robbins has a very proud history and Dwayne Wade has roots there that run very deep. So what does the street we're naming really symbolize for both the pride and identity of the Robbins community? Well, it means that we cement his name and legacy out here in Robbins, right? It's a hanging symbolism that Dwayne, after today, will be omnipresent forever in the village of Robbins. The youth can just walk outside their doors and see Dwayne Wade in Robbins. That's what this moment really means today. You mentioned the youth. Talk about the impact that something like this happens for the young boys and girls of Robbins. Not just the ones that are going to see the events happening today, but in 20, 30, 40 years, in the same way that kids are still seeing Michael Jordan in Chicago. It still means something. Right, right. So not too many towns have a superstar and a magnitude of Dwayne Wade come out their community. Robbins is lucky to have several people from Dwayne Wade, Kiki Palmer, Michelle Nichols going through a quick history lesson today. But this moment continues to add to the chapters, all right? A moment like this is monumental for the village of Robbins and we look forward to adding resources along with this moment to keep building a community. You mentioned those resources. This day is going to kick off with the Dwayne Wade Celebrity Sports Academy for youth ages nine and up. How did that partnership come together? So I heard part of the question, but yes, today started off with a youth academy in which they was able to participate and have camp on our newly $2 million renovated turf football field that we just got funded through the state. So this is a joint effort from the government side to now we have the symbolism and the celebrity status of Dwayne Wade to uplift a community today. Mary, you went through a long list of amazing talent that have come out of Robbins. What are you guys doing right out there? It seems like you guys are continually pushing out generational talent. Is there something in the water and can I get some? You can definitely come to Robbins and drink some water anytime, but we continue to build on one another. It's a community that builds on one another and we uplift the future. I'm a representation of that. They elected me at 29 as the mayor. So think about that. We're a community that put people in position to keep making history. Wow. You guys also have a scheduled community chat with Dwayne Wade coming up. What do you think some of the primary topics of that little chat will be and what impact do you think just literally his presence will have on the people of Robbins as well? So Dwayne is global, so I'm gonna start from a global aspect that will impact the community of Robbins. So we're always taught as man that your name is all you have, right? Good character and your name is all you have. And the biggest thing that Dwayne has given the village of Robbins today is his name, right? That the mayor can go out and build with Dwayne Wade Boulevard and go out and market Dwayne Wade Boulevard from a global standpoint to uplift the community which impacts our citizens. So I think it's an economic impact which leads to a recreational impact, a community impact, and a holistic approach. You know, we started out this conversation talking about a lot of the kids that are going to be out there and the youth that's there. And it stands to reason that one of them could be the next legend that comes out of Robbins, could be the next great ball player, could be the next great actor, the next great writer. And mayor, I'm sure it's not lost on you that whenever you see those kids out there today, you could be looking at one of the next greats because at some point, D. Wade was just a kid walking around. Correct, correct. Yeah, I'm sure that we're going to find the next Dwayne Wade out here today. They'll be out here being inspired by this moment. It takes these moments though. You got to give these moments to the kids so they could be able to be inspired. So I'm sure they're out here today. We expect a larger turnout. We got a lot of support. I want to thank the Cook County Sheriffs and everybody else that's out here to make sure that this event happens. Now, D. Wade is obviously a hall of famer and in my book, third best shooting guard of all time. So his name comes with a lot of recognition for sure. What do you think that renaming this boulevard in his name going to have a lot of visitors from out of town just literally coming by to snap some pictures? What impact did that have on some of the local businesses that may not have traveled to Robbins outside of this? So you say he's the third graders. I'm going to give you a little clap back. Never forget that LeBron needed Dwayne for that first one. I only got MJ and Kobe. I think I'll be alright with that. That's all I want to say. LeBron ran to Robbins for his first ring, but nonetheless though, I think once again, like I said already, like I said already, I think that this moment is monumental for the village. I think that this moment is a buildable moment. We're laying a foundation today. This is just the beginning of a relationship, a re-established relationship with Dwayne Wade, and I can't wait to have him home to honor him. Honor comes first. Do we have a statue yet? We might need to redo that Miami statue. That's a good point. Are there future plans to try to get him back more often? Step one is honor. I think a genuine honor. I got a relationship with Dwayne. This is my first time meeting Dwayne. Me and him have a real genuine relationship, and honor comes first for any relationship. So that's all I really got to say today on that. Good on you. When people drive down Dwayne Wade Boulevard maybe 20 years from now, what lesson do you hope that they take away from his own journey? I kind of want to pivot with this answer because I got to mention Dwayne Wade Sr. I think people need to recognize a father-son relationship too. Dwayne Wade Sr. is majority of the reason why this moment happened today, and he's the father that's still connected rootly to Robbins. I want to highlight Dwayne Sr. for making this happen, and his family. This doesn't just happen from the mayor alone and the village alone. It took the collaboration and the cooperation of the family. So I do want to highlight a father-son moment on this day, and we can't wait to honor both of them. I think the youth can see, once again, a young man who had a father's support that pushed him to the league. I'm hoping that, and not even just a father, a mentor, right? Mentor, coach, some type of individual in the community that can stand behind our youth and give them the future. Dads are critical. Yes, absolutely. Let people know where they can come out and see everything that's happening. We're live today. The camp already started on 13800 Trumbull, but we're live today at 1230 for the community chat, located in the intersection of the newly Dwayne Wade Boulevard and 139th, okay? Parking is located off 139th, off Kesey. All right, you'll make a right or a left, depending on which way you're coming, and enter the campgrounds. Thank you. Thank you. We appreciate you. That's awesome. You're welcome back on the show. We'll talk basketball anytime. Anytime. Come drink this water in Robbins. Got to get some of that. Yeah, all right. There's something there. Mayor, we'll see you. Thank you.