The NBA All-Star weekend will be returning to Dallas, Texas for the first time in 24 years.
The BET foundation, with help from local charities Allan Houston Legacy Foundation, Dwight D. Howard Foundation, International Children’s Support Foundation, Hip Hop 4 Life, Faithlogic Industries, music celebrities, and two NBA All-Star players came together to create “The Xperience” for youth and their families.
Together these organizations will host a series of events to share their vision on reaching out to the youth and encouraging them to make good choices throughout their life.
“The Xperience” outreach foundation was created to ensure that championship level sporting events throughout the nation offer events that reinforce positive values, and inspire participants to be individuals of strength, passion, honor and integrity.
The week will start off bright and early Monday, Feb. 8 as NBA and NFL players, along with community partners Heart of A Champion, Steve Riach, Project Turn Around, Dr. Tony Evans and Justice Revival Dallas, Randy Skinner speak at over 40 school assemblies. These assemblies are intended to reach out to students and discuss topics of abstinence, positive choices, self-esteem and other important issues.
On Feb. 11, the week will continue with All-Star Bowling. USA Bowl will be filled wall-to-wall with 100 local youth and celebrities. Allan Houston, David Tyree, Alonzo Mourning, Stephen A. Smith, Tim Carter, Chingy, Chamillionaire and Fabolous will be present to bowl, eat and talk.
The festivities continue Friday with the first Annual Global Village Xperience. This “Xperience” will bring “live music and live people to change lives” through performances by Jai, JR, Trip Lee, Shei Atkins and Canton Jones, according to the press release.
The Xperience continues with a “Father Knows Best” Initiative. From 9 a.m.-11 a.m. Allan Houston and Dwight Howard Sr. are hosting a mini basketball clinic for fathers, sons and daughters, as well as mentors and mentees. The clinic will focus on basketball techniques and offers an empowering opportunities for fathers and children to strengthen their relationships.
From 11a.m. – noon, Eddie Velez and NBA dads Dwight Howard Sr., Charles Paul, Ronnie Chalmers, William Humphries and Wade Houston will host a panel discussion.
Joumana Kidd and NFL’s David Tyree will then host a Celebrity Basketball Game.
Celebrity participants include: Nelly, Allan Houston, Chingy, Chamillionaire, Fabolous, BET 106 & Park’s Terrance and Rocsi and many more. Kandi Burruss will perform the National Anthem.
For more information about this event or the Xperience Foundation, visit www.xperienceoutreach.com.
