Rockford Register Star (IL)
February 16, 2006 Mom's generous nature rubs off on son
Author: Kevin Haas Rockford Register Star
Rockford Register Star Section: The Weekly Feb.16 issue of The Weekly under the headline "Mom's
generous nature rubs off on son" Hall is founder of the United African American Relief Foundation, a
nonprofit organization created to benefit disadvantaged people.
Article Text: Marshall Hall has played semi-professional football, owned a restaurant at age 17,
brushed shoulders with high-profile celebrities as a photographer and met local dignitaries and
politicians as a businessman, but no one has influence on his life more than his mother. As the
youngest of 10 children, Hall spent his younger years watching his mother, Luella Isabell Hall. The
generosity she showed inspired him as an adult to start his own charitable organization, the United
African American Relief Foundation."She would give people money, she would give people food,
and she consoled people," Hall said. "If there is a heaven, my mother is there for the generosity she
had."The nonprofit organization's mission is to provide all needy or disadvantaged people with the
support and help that they need.
The 48-year-old Rockford man founded the United African American Relief Foundation in 2005,
eight years after his mother died tragically of hypothermia. "It's something I won't be able to forget
for the rest of my life," Hall said. "I did everything. I picked her up, brought her into the house and
called the emergency numbers. "Hall will never forget the tragedy of his mother's death, nor will he
forget the spirit she had while she was living. Her big heart and desire to help those in need gave
Hall a vision for the foundation. The foundation will offer a variety of services for needy people,
including health services for the elderly, fitness services and such educational services as
scholarships for high school and college students. Even though the foundation has strong
African-American name to it, Hall plans to help people of all races. He chose the name because he
takes pride in his and his family's history as strong black Americans.
His grandfather, Robert Isabell, was a Pullman porter until his death in 1897.His other grandfather,
Layne Hall, is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest licensed driver at age
110.Hall, who operates his own fitness and personal training service, says that the foundation is in a
fund-raising mode right now."It takes a lot of strength to do this," he said. "The foundation is building
right now, and it takes a lot of work."For information on making a donation, or learning more about
the foundation, visit www.uaarf.org."Q&A with Marshall Hall* What inspired you to do what you do?
Athletics is how I was brought up. It's my life.
My charity comes from my dear mother who gave to needy people for more than 50 years, so our
foundation must continue working on the mission of giving. It's my duty in life.* What do you do for
fun? Work out in my gym, meet good people that are not phony, and work hard to keep our charity
mission on track.* What is something you think the Rockford area needs? Teamwork.* What is your
favorite movie? I'm a movie buff, so I don't have a favorite.* What is the last good book you read?
"Rising from the Rails: Pullman Porters and the Making of the Black Middle Class" by Larry Tye. My
grandfather was a Pullman porter.* What are you watching on TV lately? "American Idol.
"* What is your alarm clock set to? I don't need one because I work for myself and can work 15 to 20
hours a day.* What is something people are surprised to learn about you? That I'm a leader and not
a follower, and that I speak well.* What is the best gift you have ever received? The life that God has
giving me every day is a gift.* What is something you've always wanted to do? I'm working hard on it
as we speak.* Your motto in life: Think positive 99 percent of the time, even in times of dismay.*What
is your biggest indulgence? Good food and good people that are real.* What is the biggest
challenge you have ever faced? None if you have God in your life.* If you could have one additional
talent, what would it be? More education.* What is your pet peeve? Procrastinators.* What was your
first job? Owning my first restaurant at age 17.* My life is ... in the hands of God. It's up to me to
follow the right road.
February 16, 2006 Mom's generous nature rubs off on son
Author: Kevin Haas Rockford Register Star
Rockford Register Star Section: The Weekly Feb.16 issue of The Weekly under the headline "Mom's
generous nature rubs off on son" Hall is founder of the United African American Relief Foundation, a
nonprofit organization created to benefit disadvantaged people.
Article Text: Marshall Hall has played semi-professional football, owned a restaurant at age 17,
brushed shoulders with high-profile celebrities as a photographer and met local dignitaries and
politicians as a businessman, but no one has influence on his life more than his mother. As the
youngest of 10 children, Hall spent his younger years watching his mother, Luella Isabell Hall. The
generosity she showed inspired him as an adult to start his own charitable organization, the United
African American Relief Foundation."She would give people money, she would give people food,
and she consoled people," Hall said. "If there is a heaven, my mother is there for the generosity she
had."The nonprofit organization's mission is to provide all needy or disadvantaged people with the
support and help that they need.
The 48-year-old Rockford man founded the United African American Relief Foundation in 2005,
eight years after his mother died tragically of hypothermia. "It's something I won't be able to forget
for the rest of my life," Hall said. "I did everything. I picked her up, brought her into the house and
called the emergency numbers. "Hall will never forget the tragedy of his mother's death, nor will he
forget the spirit she had while she was living. Her big heart and desire to help those in need gave
Hall a vision for the foundation. The foundation will offer a variety of services for needy people,
including health services for the elderly, fitness services and such educational services as
scholarships for high school and college students. Even though the foundation has strong
African-American name to it, Hall plans to help people of all races. He chose the name because he
takes pride in his and his family's history as strong black Americans.
His grandfather, Robert Isabell, was a Pullman porter until his death in 1897.His other grandfather,
Layne Hall, is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest licensed driver at age
110.Hall, who operates his own fitness and personal training service, says that the foundation is in a
fund-raising mode right now."It takes a lot of strength to do this," he said. "The foundation is building
right now, and it takes a lot of work."For information on making a donation, or learning more about
the foundation, visit www.uaarf.org."Q&A with Marshall Hall* What inspired you to do what you do?
Athletics is how I was brought up. It's my life.
My charity comes from my dear mother who gave to needy people for more than 50 years, so our
foundation must continue working on the mission of giving. It's my duty in life.* What do you do for
fun? Work out in my gym, meet good people that are not phony, and work hard to keep our charity
mission on track.* What is something you think the Rockford area needs? Teamwork.* What is your
favorite movie? I'm a movie buff, so I don't have a favorite.* What is the last good book you read?
"Rising from the Rails: Pullman Porters and the Making of the Black Middle Class" by Larry Tye. My
grandfather was a Pullman porter.* What are you watching on TV lately? "American Idol.
"* What is your alarm clock set to? I don't need one because I work for myself and can work 15 to 20
hours a day.* What is something people are surprised to learn about you? That I'm a leader and not
a follower, and that I speak well.* What is the best gift you have ever received? The life that God has
giving me every day is a gift.* What is something you've always wanted to do? I'm working hard on it
as we speak.* Your motto in life: Think positive 99 percent of the time, even in times of dismay.*What
is your biggest indulgence? Good food and good people that are real.* What is the biggest
challenge you have ever faced? None if you have God in your life.* If you could have one additional
talent, what would it be? More education.* What is your pet peeve? Procrastinators.* What was your
first job? Owning my first restaurant at age 17.* My life is ... in the hands of God. It's up to me to
follow the right road.
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |