Thanks go out to all participants, sponsors
Celebrity guest Adrian Adee McCovy of Los Angeles brings a special humor and enjoyment to the first annual H.O.O.D Classic, a basketball tournament fundraiser held on Saturday, Aug. 21 to support Black youth. Photo courtesy Dr. Audry Terrell Institute.
Organizers of a basketball tournament fundraiser on Saturday to support Black Youth are reporting success.
Portland’s Dr. Audry Terrell Institute and Seattle’s MOCHA program presented the first annual I-5 H.O.O.D. Classic Celebrity Basketball Event at Gresham High School. HOOD means Helping Others Obtain Dreams.
A very special thanks went out to Principal Drake Shelton and his staff for opening their doors for this momentous event. Also very special thanks to the many sponsors IBEW, Pro Builder General, Brian Grant, Bob Rossi, Portland Trailblazers, for their support for Black youth attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities and other colleges, universities, trade schools, and professional training schools.
The winner of this year’s event was Washington State. Organizers also thank all the players and coaches both of Washington and Oregon. Special recognition went out to WNBA star Alex Montgomery, Washington State Champion Poppy Justice and other highly recruited athletes Caydan McDaniels and others. Players participated from every level.
Tame Time Sports was thanked for providing the game uniforms. Other thanks and appreciation to local businesses Sharis, Elmers, Denny’s, Stanford’s, B.J.’s, Cracker Barrel’s,
Fred Meyers, Safeway’s and others that gave their support to making this event a success.
The event was honored to have the support and presence of Bishop Lawerence White who donated over 200 food boxes, backpacks and school supplies for giveaways. Special thanks to all the vendors who participated.
Memorials were given to the late Shai India Harris, EJ, Holifield, and the DATI founder Alice Scott Clay. Scholarships will be given in their honor. The event was hosted by Adrian Adee McCovy of Los Angeles that brought a special humor and enjoyment to the entire event. Entertainment was presented by K2iccy from Los Angeles, Renee Robinson cheer squad from Seattle , and our local entertainers Kirk Greene and Auzzie and Kenny OG . The house was lit.
In addition, special thanks was given to the Portland Observer and Straighttalk TV’s Tony Brown for their media coverage.
This fundraiser to support our Black youth was totally constructed and directed by non-profits: Go Educate Inc., Hands of Favor, M.O.C.H.A. and the Dr.Audrey Terrell Institute. All non-profits are committed to the continually effort to provide funding to Black youth for academic achievement. Black Youth Matter.
Currently, there are plans for the Second Annual Celebrity Game. The goal is to add Southern California and Northern Washington to future sites. If you choose to be apart of this great effort to support Black youth please contact Dr. Audrey Terrell (DATI President and CEO) at datinstitute2016@gmail.com or Michael Hankins (MOCHA President and CEO) mhankins.mocha@yahoo.com.