Written by: Ray Lamar Inspired by: Artist Bill Rembert
The iconic silhouette of Michael Jordan serves as a statue to athletes, children, adults, and fans that humans can defy gravity in more ways than one. The imagery of a man flying in the air is inspirational. The fact that he really could soar has pushed coaches, trainers and athletes to create training programs so that one day they too might be able to soar like Mike. In the Black community Michael Jordan is an icon, a legend, another successful African American to look up to. With less than one percent of African Americans being CEO’s of Major Companies, Michael Jordan’s $1.9 billion-dollar net worth is admirable to the black community.

Michael Jordan in the first part of his career sported the number twenty-three (23) on the back of his jersey. The number Twenty-Three is significant regarding numerology and has many symbolic meanings to mankind. The numerology number 23 represents a companionable essence expressing a personal sense of freedom. Number 23s are highly inquisitive individuals who consider hands on experience to be the best teacher in life. Many of them are deeply intelligent, philosophical and spiritually minded. The Ancient Chinese believed numbers conveyed sexuality – evens for feminine and odds for masculine. They considered prime numbers to be the most masculine, conferring special status on 23 which is made up of two consecutive prime numbers and the only even prime number two. Each parent contributes 23 chromosomes to start a new human life. Matthew 18:20 states “For where two or three gathers in my name, there am I with them.”

Furthermore, when people hear or see the number twenty-three, they think about Mike. I can hear the song in my head “like Mike, if I could be like Mike”. Michael Jordan represented what it means to be a champion, and how hard work and perseverance can lead you from last to first. His unbeatable energy, and passion for the game has been contagious to all athletes and just people for over three decades. Michael Jordan played for 15 seasons with two different teams and accumulated a record as a professional basketball player of 818 wins and almost 300 losses. Michael Jordan has six NBA championships, he was a part of the USA dream team, and has received an award in just about every statistical category known to a professional basketball player and therefore he is unbeatable.

His overall record as a professional basketball player 818 wins and almost 300 losses. Michael Jordan has six NBA championships, he was a part of the USA dream team, and has received an award in just about every statistical category known to a professional basketball player and therefore he is unbeatable.

Editor’s Note: This article first published on December 17th, 2019.