It’s Super Bowl weekend, not only is this one of the most watched worldwide events, it’s a week filled with events, celebrities, football players of course, but also a ton of giving back! Last year I had the chance to go to Indianapolis and I was amazed at all the giving that was taking place, everywhere I went and everywhere I looked, people were giving. Rather you are rooting for the Ravens or the 49ers, here is our power list of leading ladies in social change this Super Bowl weekend, we can all cheer for giving back!
Amidst the bevy of parties and celebrations happening in the Big Easy for Super Bowl, there will be a series of events offering the ultimate opportunity to “Party with a Purpose.” New Orleans based 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization, Home Mission Inc. (HMI) has partnered with celebrities including: NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, Saints’ Running Back Mark Ingram, Kevin Hart and Lil Wayne (and his NPO One Family Foundation) to present I.M.P.A.C.T Weekend Charity Experience.
I.M.P.A.C.T. Weekend is comprised of everything from celebrity-hosted events to community service projects. Other talent and brands participating include Reality TV Star Toya Wright, Entertainment Tonight Correspondent/Host Rocsi Diaz, Q93 Personality Juggie, DJ Captain Charles, DJ Khaled, Maybach Music Group DJ Talent Bay Bay, Light Weight Productions and Winn Dixie. Beyond fundraising, the primary goal of I.M.P.A.C.T. Weekend is to raise public awareness about Home Mission Inc.’s various initiatives to assist the growing homeless and indigent population in New Orleans. The leading lady behind the cause Ms.Krystal M. Justice! “We hope that I.M.P.A.C.T Weekend will serve as a catalyst for the continued growth of our programs and number ofpeople we’re able to serve,” explains Krystal. Visit http://www.
Gospel, Gospel, Super Bowl Gospel and Giving to the tune of nearly $500,000 no one does Gospel and Giving like Melanie Few-Harrison, founder of the Super Bowl Gospel Celebration! In its fourteenth year, the Super Bowl Gospel Celebration is the first and only gospel event sanctioned by the NFL for Super Bowl Weekend. The concert series features Grammy Award-winning, multi-platinum selling gospel and contemporary Christian and mainstream artists, marquee NFL players and the NFL PLAYERS Choir.
Since its inception, the Super Bowl Gospel Celebration has demonstrated growth year-over-year, with recent sell-outs of venues in Super Bowl host cities including tonight’s event in NOLA. The event also serves as a fundraiser with a portion of the proceeds benefiting national and local charities. Close to $400,000 and 5,000 tickets have been donated over the last eleven years. This year the Gospel Celebration will benefit the Sharper Kids Foundation which was established by XLIV Super Bowl Champion Darren Sharper and former NFL Linebacker and XXXV Super Bowl Champion Jamie Sharper. The Foundation’s mission is to enhance the educational, emotional, cultural and social needs of children, by reflecting sound belief systems and values and by creating a vision of hope for children, while continuing to build and maintain a support system to make these visions become a reality. Also a beneficiary is the Malcolm Jenkins Foundation, founded by Malcolm Jenkins in 2010, was established to develop and assist youth in underserved communities. It is Malcolm’s hope that through his foundation, a difference will be made in their lives. Malcolm’s commitment to giving back is indicative of his desire to positively impact future generations and the communities in which they live. If you are in town, I highly recommend you support Melanie’s cause, trust me you will leave feeling so good! Fore more information on the Super Bowl Gospel celebration visit www.superbowlgospel.com!
Rounding out my power-list for Super Bowl 2013, Juli Jordan founder and producer of Gridiron Celebrity Hoops. Last year I fell in love with Juli and her mission, talk about someone who gives back from personal experiences and from the heart, Juli is that lady!
Next to the Super Bowl itself, Gridiron Celebrity Hoops XV is the hottest game ticket in town! Entering it’s 15th year of giving back, the event is a fan-favorite interactive experience that remains one of the most anticipated events held annually the night before the “Big Game.” This upcoming Gridiron game is especially one-of-a-kind because not only does it mark our record-breaking 15th anniversary, but it also highlights Juli’s personal achievement as the very first African-American and first woman in the 93 year history of the National Football League and the 47 year history of Super Bowl to produce an event annually held during the Super Bowl weekend to reach the 15 year mark.
On Saturday, February 2, 2013, at 7 p.m., at Xavier University Convocation Center, the Big Easy will play host to Gridiron Celebrity Hoops XV, the first and only charity celebrity basketball game to have ever become officially sanctioned by the National Football League. Over three dozen pro athletes and celebrities will take center court, and play, coach, host, perform, DJ and MC. Our athletes and entertainers boldly rise to the challenge to see whose still got game! Above all else the event is for an amazing cause, youth in foster care and adoption.
