USATF 2015 Hall of Fame Gala on October 29, 2015

Lights and cameras flashed as Olympians and sports record breakers attended the 42nd National Track & Field Hall of Fame induction class in New York City. The event welcomed the likes of well-known modern athletes as well as veteran athletes to celebrate the achievements of those who paved the way.

The 2015 inductees were all honored on Thursday October 29th at USATF’s Black Tie & Sneakers Gala, hosted at the Armory Track & Field Center in New York City. Olympic gold medal stars Sanya Richards-Ross, Allyson Felix, Justin Gatlin and legends Michael Johnson, Maurice Green, Joan Benoit Samuelson and Tommie Smith attended USA Track & Field’s Black Tie & Sneakers Gala at the Armory in Washington Heights to celebrate the 2015 Hall of Fame inductees: Allen Johnson, Hollis Conway, Ralph Mann, Al Blozis, Jack Torrance, and Harry Gill.

In addition, to the honorees attending, a group of student athlete from New York City schools were invited to be a part of this event. This was even more inspiring because they has to opportunity to meet some of their heroes in sports. The whole evening was indeed inspiring while at the same time humbling. The proceeds from the event support the USATF Elite Athlete Mentorship Program, a new USATF initiative preparing athletes for success after the conclusion of their competitive careers.

The finalists from each USATF category was selected by a screening panel from a list of nominations. Panelists examine the nominees and evaluate their merits. Elections for modern and veteran athletes are held each year. Elections for coaches are held in odd-numbered years with contributors elected in even-numbered years. Hall of Fame inductees, members of the National Track & Field Hall of Fame board panels, and members of the media vote on elections for the National Track & Field Hall of Fame.

For more information on USATF, visit their website and be sure to keep an eye out for next year’s honorees.

VIPs Celebrate Sports History at Original Tee Golf Classic on July 19, 2015

The hot weather in New York and New Jersey did not stop the execution of a great celebration. Yesterday, the Original Tee Golf Classic held its 16th tournament at Wild Turkey Golf Club in Hamburg, N.J. Over 250 VIPs from various industries participated in the all-day event which honored golf legend Lee Elder for breaking the color barrier at the Masters Tournament in Augusta, GA forty years ago.

Attendees included supermodel Beverly Johnson, radio/tv host Roland Martin, Wendell Haskins (founder, Original Tee Golf Classic), Iain Page (FOX29 Philadelphia anchor), Keith Clinkscales (CEO, REVOLT), Len Burnett (Publisher, UPTOWN), Sharon Harris (Microsoft), golf phenoms Amari “Tigress” Avery and Alona Avery, entertainment attorney Matt Middleton, Jeff Sanchez (NBA Senior Manager, Event Activation), designer Tony Shellman, Derrin Woodhouse (Samsung), Michael Davis (Philadelphia Eagles), Shante Bacon (founder, 135th Street Agency), Dres from Black Sheep, advertising exec Malcolm Gillian, Byron Kirkland (manager of Machine Gun Kelly), Kevin Peck (manager of Dru Hill), Lenny Singletary (BNY Mellon), Kainon Jasper (Bridge Intelligence Group), Latoya Finney (Asst. VP at Barclays Capital), Frank Fraley (Mt. Vernon Chamber of Commerce), Michael Vann (former owner of The Shark Bar) and Jim Kelly III.

Guests enjoyed on-site haircuts by Denny Moe’s Superstar Barbershop from Harlem; an all-day open bar courtesy of Zacapa Rum and Ciroc; a silent auction of sports memorabilia; and clinics hosted by PGA professionals who introduced 25 novice attendees to the game of golf. Golf coach Buddy Cooper led the Nine-Hole Youth Competition along with several PGA professionals including NFPGA Section Member Anthony G. Stepney (UMES DiversitiTee Golf & ProjectNext Tee), New Jersey Section Members Jim Famula (Raritan Golf Center), Bill Nightingale (Life Member) and Hal Myers (Life Member).

Later that evening at the Awards Dinner hosted by Iain Page, Beverly Johnson – last year’s True Original honoree – presented Elder with this year’s True Original Award. Tournament winners included golfers Henry Lopez and Greg Lewis for the adult competition, and Khalid Page, Diana McCready and Alona Avery for the youth competition. For more information on the Original Tee Golf Classic, visit www.originaltee.com. You can also keep in touch with other events on Facebook,Twitter, and Instagram.

Photos: Stephen Knight

Celebs Attend Pre-ESPY Awards Event For American Federation for Children

It’s all about partying with a purpose! As a prelude to the ESPY Awards scheduled for Wednesday, July 15, 2015, celebs and athletes came out to support the 4th annual ‘ Champions for Choice,’ pre-ESPY Awards dinner presented by the American Federation for Children. WNBA Hall of Fame star Lisa Leslie and NBA veteran Jalen Rose hosted the event, which honored actress, TV host, and philanthropist Holly Robinson Peete and her husband, former NFL quarterback, Rodney Peete.

The annual Pre-ESPY’s celebration to support school choice was held on the rooftop of the Luxe Hotel and featured a live performance by Grammy Award winner Michelle Williams (Destiny’s Child). ” My commitment is to children across the nation and I am happy to be a part of making a difference and education is key to keeping the doors of opportunity opened,” said host Lisa Leslie.

In attendance, at this years event were: Oscar Award-Winning actor Lou Gosset Jr, Hall of Famer Lisa Leslie, Actress Holly Robinson Peete, former NFL player Rodney Peete, Marcellus Wiley, TV Personalities Hank and Kendra Baskett, Gloria Govan & Tiffany Cambridge, Actress Elise Neal, V Bozeman from (Empire), TV host Shaun Robinson, NBA legend John Salley, Norm Nixon, Dawn Richard, Shanice Wilson, Garcelle Beauvais and actor Robert Christopher Riley, to name a few.

This event was held to honor all of the charitable work the Peete’s have done over the years to help needy children. The decision to have an event such as this just in time for the awards show is to bring more awareness to such an important cause. In addition, there is the hope to have more notable individuals get involved.

Check out the ESPY Awards on ABC and for more information on American Federation for Children visit their website: http://www.federationforchildren.org/about-us/.

World Cup Madness Not Just for the Millionaire’s Club Only

Many individuals all over the world love sports. Some people love to play sports while others just enjoy watching. While some sporting events seem to attract a certain status of personas such as members of millionaire clubs, it is definitely a subject where many can share as they encounter others during their travels, business dealings or throughout their daily lifestyles.

This seems to be one of those moments. It is that time once again for the FIFA World Cup which has captured international attention. In the US and around the world, fans are attending the affair as well as watching it on television and cheering as their favorite team plays for the final trophy.

For 2014, from June 13 through July 13, Brazil is hosting the event and it has attracted personalities from the average sports fan to the millionaire club sports fans. The attendance and buzz has been absolutely amazing. Major celebrities have been a part of the event. Singer and superstar Jennifer Lopez and Pitbull opened with an explosive performance and each day there are thousands more of movers and shakers, millionaire matchmakers, politicians, along with other high profile individuals attending.

For the folks who were not able to travel to Brazil, there are FIFA World Cup parties in almost every major city in the world. Sports bars in cities like London, New York, Tokyo, Paris, San Paulo, Beijing, Geneva, Cape Town, Sydney, Frankfort, and Moscow are providing a venue for fans to gather with other sports fans alike.

Even individual sport fans and enthusiast have created or thrown their very own parties in their homes. Some have taken it a step further and took the opportunity to rent out venues in their perspective city to invite their friends, family and colleagues to enjoy the love of the World Cup with them.

Having this access to view such a major global event almost gives the average person not actually attending the World Cup, the feeling as though they have reached the millionaire players status. They can witness all the excitement and action and enjoy just the same.

The World Cup is such an international occurrence that all can enjoy no matter what and seems to bring people of all cultures together. Whether you are there live and up close or watching on a television screen, the experience is no less exciting for people who really do love the game. So, even if you are not a Millionairematch member or not, you are encouraged to enjoy the game, the conversation and the overall experience.

Mario Manningham of NY Giants Hosts VIP Private Screening of the Movie Draft Day

With the 2014 NFL Draft a little over a month away, NY Giants player Mario Manningham wanted to kick things off with a bang. In fact, he was a part of an event that is bound to get sports fans pumped about the upcoming draft activities . On April 3, 2014 at the AMC Loews on 34th Street in New York City, Manningham hosted a VIP Private Screening of Draft Day. The film stars Kevin Costner and Jennifer Garner along side Kameron McCollough of NIKE Football Society.

Manningham is no stranger to the Draft. He was drafted by the Giants in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft. Manningham later signed with the San Francisco 49ers and played two seasons with the team and he recently re-signed with the New York Giants on March 18, 2014.

 Along with members of the press, confirmed Celebrities and Talent on hand were Mario Manninghamand his wife Tiffany Manningham, Kameron McCollough, Marcus Stewart (BRAVO’s Duke of Melrose), Sean Ringgold (One Life to Live), Meeka Claxton (Basketball Wives) Roman Oben, Dwayne Pearl Washington, Ben Gordon, Dahntay Jones, Anthony Gurino, Navorro Bowman, Dwayne Delaina Dixon, Samantha Black, and Erica Mena

Before the movie, the crowd buzzed with anticipation to see an exciting story unfold before them and although the film does now open nationwide until Friday, April, 11, 2014, an event such as this is a great example of what is to come for sports fans. The official 2014 NFL Draft is set to begin on May 8 through May 10 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

This event was coordinated by Kweisi Gharreau, Principal Partner of kgPR.

NYC NBA Draft Week: Art of Luxury Series by Tene Nicole Marketing & PR

Who doesn’t love sports? Even more, who doesn’t want to find out about the next hot basketball star coming to the NBA? Each year, the sports world gears up for NBA Draft Week and along with the highly anticipated announcements, there are some super cool events that happen around New York City.

After major success during NFL Draft Week, Tene Nicole Marketing and Public Relations and partners are back at it to present NBA Draft Week: Art of Luxury Series. This annual series is a lifestyle and entertainment retreat from the commotion of NBA Draft Week. Hosted at one of New York City’s upscale sports restaurant and lounge, The Art of Luxury Series is the ultimate Draft Week destination wherein athletes, editors, celebrities and insiders can unwind and enjoy gifting while being pampered from an array of brand partners.

This year for NBA Draft Week: the Art of Luxury Series events took place, Wednesday, June 26, 2013 and presented three (3) stellar events from 12:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. at former NBA champion Walt “Clyde” Frazier’s restaurant and bar in NYC. The series welcomed #1 Draft Pick from the University of Kentucky, Nerlens Noel, who hosted the series of events alongside International Model Carissa Rosario.

NBA Draft Week: Art of Luxury Series, is a one-day series of stellar events including a Luxury Gifting and Grooming Suite, followed by a Black Enterprise Magazine sponsored private “Passing of the Torch” Media & Player’s Dinner (only covering media). The night concluded with a special invite-only star studded Red Carpet Charity Mix and Mingle.

This uniquely themed event wrangled NBA draft picks, current and former players in an exclusive luxury setting offering brand exposure with direct marketing interactions that ultimately drive trends in the marketplace. Exclusively outfitted and geared toward Men, the Art of Luxury Series sets a benchmark as the ONLY annual male oriented event during NBA DRAFT WEEK highlighting gadgets, grooming products, auto accessories, jewelry, clothing, and accoutrements targeted toward men.