Kwesi Babatu James McCauley
“What is true friendship according to the Bible?”
“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down one’s life for his friends.”
John 15:13
BM Productions, Inc. was founded in 1994 as a Non-Profit Organization, in Cincinnati, Ohio and Rochester, New York.
Two life long friends grew up acquiring core values from their parents. Having developed a strong work ethic at home, Kwesi and James began their first paying jobs delivering newspapers together and later Rochester Recreation Commission.
In 1990 these two friends paths would cross again, setting the foundation of what would later become BM Productions, Inc.
Kwesi Babatu and long time friend, James R. McCauley, Jr. relied on their friendship to support the efforts of the Cooperative Extension Service (4-H) in Cincinnati, Ohio. The main responsibility of increasing awareness to the 4-H program, fell on the shoulders of Kwesi Babatu. To achieve the goals of this initiative, Kwesi Babatu had to think outside the traditional box.
Rochester Royals & Cincinnati Royals
Cincinnati, Ohio and Rochester, New York have had a long relationship dating back to the 1940′s and 1950′s. The two cities tied for a national award [The National PedestrianProtection Contest] and in 1957 after winning the NBA title, the Rochester Royals moved to Cincinnati and became the Cincinnati Royals.
Understanding the special relationship between the two cities, the two friends seized the opportunity to reconnect both cities through basketball. The idea of two cities playing a basketball game seemed out of the question to most, but not to these two visionaries. A call was made to his friend and without hesitation James replied, “you can count on me.”
Organizing the Rochester effort, James arrived with the full backing of the city of Rochester. Boston Celtic Great, JoJo White headed the All Star team from Rochester, coached by long time friend James. Cincinnati featured former UC and Xavier players coached by Tony Yates and George Jackson. Oscar Robertson The Big “O” was the honorary coach.
Drawing 1,000 fans at Cincinnati Technical College, The 4-H Classic was a success. Cincinnati out a victory that night, launching BM Productions, Inc. (Babatu/McCauley).
Today, BM Productions, Inc. World Wide Headquarters remains in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Mission
To provide the highest quality academic enrichment programs helping students to maximize acadmic performance.
Moto
“1950′s Quality For Today.”
Kwesi and James were blessed to have lived in the 1950′s during a time when the quality of service was at an all time high. That same quality was experienced by James and Kwesi through the love and care they received from their parents. Reflecting and remembering those early experiences James and Kwesi are dedicated to delivering that same level of quality in every initiative they undertake.
Family
“Our First Teachers”
Most of what we really need to know about how to live, and what to do, and how to be we learned at home. Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate-school mountain, but right there at home.
"83 Garson Ave."
These are the things we learned: Share everything. Play fair. Don’t hit people. Put things back where you find them. Clean up your own mess. Don’t take things that aren’t yours. Say you’re sorry when you hurt somebody. Wash your hands before you eat. Say please and thank you. Say yes sir no sir. Say your prayers before you go to bed. Say I love you to your parents. Live a balanced life. Learn some, think some, play and work every day some.
We learned that when you go out side into the world, watch for traffic, hold hands and stick together. We were shown how to be aware of wonder. Remember the little seed in the plastic cup. The roots go down and the plant goes up, and nobody really knows why, but we are all like that.
Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even the little seed in the plastic cup-they all die. So do we.
And then remembering how mom read the book about Dick and Jane and the first word we learned, the biggest word of all: Look. Everything we need to know was in there somewhere. The Golden Rule, Love, and basic sanitation. Ecology, politics and sane living.
It is still true, no matter how old you are, when you go out into the world, it is best to hold hands and stick together.
Think of what a better world it would be if all of us had those core values instilled in us by Our First Teachers [Mom and Dad].
Thank you Mom. Thank you Dad. We Love You Very Much.
God
“House of God”
"Memorial A.M.E. Zion Methodist Church"
The importance of the church can not be overstated. It was, and still is, the single most important institution in our country. The church permitted self-expression and supported creativity at a time when it could have meant death for a segment of our population. An example is found in the spirituals, gospel and other forms of music that helped individuals explain and endure their sojourn in America. For African Americans, in particular, they were able to use the church not only for their spiritual growth and well being, but to hone organization and leadership skills useful in economic, social and political development of their community.The church was more than a safe house for African Americans. The church served as a launching pad for African American Leadership and was involved early on in working for liberation. Many freed African Americans in northern churches participated in the Underground Railroad, raised money for freedmen after the Civil War.
The early church edifice on Favor Street was connected with the Underground Railroad in Rochester, New York. Harriet Tubman, known as the Moses of her people used the building for sheltering slaves. Susan B. Anthony gave one of her last public addresses in the church. Fredrick Douglas, for a time edited his abolitionist paper, The North Star, from presses set up in the basement.
From the establishment of the first church in America, the church has been the foundation for all Americans.
Country
“God Bless America”
"Flag Wavers 1954"
The American Spirit is an intangible yet personal part of all of our lives. It has been our lifeblood both war and peace… it is found in all strata of our society.The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution embody not only the Spirit of America, but also the assurance that the way of life we hold so dear will continue … for generations to come.
While the storm clouds gather across the sea, Let us swear allegiance to a land that’s free. Let us all be grateful for a land so fair, As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer:
God Bless America, Land that I Love, Stand beside her and guide her through the night with a light from above.
From the mountains, to the prairies, to the oceans white with foam, God Bless America, My Home Sweet Home.