George Lynch, 12-year NBA veteran (Lakers, 76ers, Hornets) and former UNC-Chapel Hill NCAA champion, invites the Atlanta community to participate in Arts for Athletes on Friday, May 31 from 5 – 11 p.m. at The Westside Cultural Arts Center (760 10th Street, NW). The evening’s events include live and silent auctions; a roundtable with professional athletes; and cocktails, dancing and conversation.
In its third year, Arts for Athletes is the signature fundraiser for the CAU Men’s Basketball program. The original event was launched by former CAU coach and NBA veteran Darrell Walker. Money raised allows coaches to provide much-needed, valuable resources for players, including equipment, meals and tutors. Spearheading this fundraiser is right in Lynch’s wheelhouse. He is passionate about providing his players with critical experience and tools to support them in achieving lifetime success both on and off the court. This commitment led him to earn the CAU Panthers a number three seed in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) in just his first year as head coach.
“Playing for UNC’s legendary Coach Dean Smith was an experience that not only made me a better player, it now makes me a better coach,” said Lynch. “Unfortunately, there is a huge disparity between seemingly unlimited funding and alumni support that drives Division I schools and the limited resources that plague Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU) athletic programs. After experiencing both sides, my goal is to level the playing field. This starts with raising vital funds.”
The Arts for Athletes roundtable discussion and live auction will be hosted by retired Coca-Cola executive and UNC alumna Lisa Fey. The evening of cocktails, hosted by Lifestyle Specialist Kenny Burns, will also feature live and silent auctions in a networking setting. In addition to art, the auction will include unique experience packages.
This year’s Arts for Athletes soiree has amassed an impressive list of participants, including Honorary Co-Chairs Keinon Johnson, VP of Urban Promotions at Interscope Records and Jasmine Burke, actress (Bounce TV’s “Saints & Sinners); former National Football League (NFL) player Takeo Spikes, DL Warfield, Fahamu Pecou, Kevin Cole, Sheila Pree Bright, Monica Tookes, Cecil Bernard, Fabian Williams, Muhammad Yungai, Derrick Phillips, Alvin Dante Yarbrough, Reginald Laurent, Sean Haynes, Melissa Mitchell, JR Outlaw, Zerric Clinton, AW (Andrew Williams), C Flux Sing (Craig Singleton), Chasitie Bradford and more.
Additionally, panelists and confirmed guests include: former NFL players Vonnie Holliday, Ryan Stewart, Alge Crumpler and Stevie Baggs, Jr.; NBA veterans Theo Ratliff and Antonio Harvey; Kiesha Brown (WNBA); Greg Moore (SIAC Commissioner); and Pastor/Bestselling Author/International Speaker Anthony Murray.
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