BY: Liliana Rocio, Senior Editor For World Liberty TV

Pics BY: AL CAPLAN FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHY

The 23rd Annual Black Tie & Sneakers Gala benefiting the Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health. Renowned guests representing sports, philanthropy, business, entertainment, and medicine  gathered to celebrate the legacy of tennis champion and humanitarian Arthur Ashe. The SportsBall features interactive games, dinner, dancing, entertainment, an awards ceremony, and a silent auction. Each guest receives a complimentary pair of Adidas sneakers generously donated by Rack Room Shoes and Adidas. The funds raised at the SportsBall support the Institute’s innovative community health education programs and research initiatives.

VIPS Confirmed to Attend: Soledad O’ Brien – Award-winning journalist, speaker, and author, SportsBall honoree.

Former New York City Mayor David Dinkins.

Cheryl Wills – Award-winning NY1 News Anchor, and best-selling author, returning co-host of the gala.

David Ushery – Award-winning NBC 4 New York Anchor, creator of The Debrief with David Ushery, co-host of Moms and the City and a Dad named David, returning co-host of the gala.

Dr. Marilyn A. Fraser – CEO of the Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health.

Darelle Revis – Former New York Jet, NFL Cornerback.

Kym Hampton – Former WNBA Center for the New York Liberty.

Tobias Truvillion – Award Winning actor and model, co-star of the hit series Empire.

Harry Carson – Former NFL inside linebacker for the New York Giants.

Paul Wharton – Author, and TV Personality on FOX 5’s Good Day DC.

Sidra Smith – Film, and Television Producer – Daredevil, A Luv Tale, Master Spy.

Mike Woods – Meteorologist, FOX 5’s Good Day New York, and People Magazine’s “Sexiest Anchor Alive.

Natasha Alford – Host of “True Story,” Journalist, Deputy Editor at The Grio.

Javier Gomez – Noted photographer, designer, and People Magazine’s “Sexiest Artist Alive.

Robert Gore, MD – ER Physician, SUNY Downstate Department of Emergency Medicine, SportsBall honoree.

Mary Bassett, MD – Commissioner, NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, SportsBall honoree.

Kathy Hirata Chin – Esquire, Senior Counsel, Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft, LL., SportsBall honoree.

About the Sports Ball: Is a celebration with a purpose. Each year, the Institute honors individuals and organizations that are making significant contributions to urban communities in the areas of health, education, medical research, community service, and philanthropy. The funds raised at SportsBall support the Institute’s innovative community health education programs and research initiatives.  Arthur Ashe founded the Institute in 1992, just two months before his death from AIDS, in response to the disproportionate amount of illness and death in urban communities from preventable diseases.  Arthur knew that many of these diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension, were the result of inadequate health care delivery, late detection, and insufficient health education.

About the Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health: In 1992, Arthur Ashe established the Institute in partnership with SUNY Downstate intentionally, moved by the institution’s long history of serving immigrants and low-income Brooklyn residents as well as staff and faculty’s research. The Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health, located in multi-ethnic Brooklyn, collaborates with community members to design, incubate and replicate neighborhood-based interventions that address health conditions that disproportionately affect minorities. Recognizing the complexity of the economic and social determinants of health, the Institute partners with a wide variety of grassroots and institutional organizations to provide after-school science enrichment, outreach initiatives in trusted venues, and research and advocacy. Community Health Empowerment guides and unifies all of the Institute’s work.

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