(Exclusive from The Belle Report )Houston, TX –If you love Basketball then like hundreds of thousands of others, you probably pressed your way to Houston, TX for the annual NBA All Star Weekend.
The best of the best came to together to showcase their skills from Slam Dunk contests to the announcement of the Basketball Hall of Fame, a high profile parties hosted by the likes of Jay Z, Terrence Howard, John Legend and P Diddy.
However in the middle of this jam packed weekend, visionary Tomeka Holyfield, and a native Houstonian, found a way to slice out a piece of the day to honor several deserving individuals from sports, to media to the church during the star studded 8th Annual All-Star Gospel Celebration (ASGC) on Saturday, February 16, 2013, at the Arena Theatre, while also marked the 62nd NBA All-Star Weekend.
This year’s honorees included Olympic Medalist Gabrielle “Gabby” Douglas, NBA All-Star Tracy McGrady, Life Coach CleRenda McGrady, Journalist and Political Analyst, Roland Martin, Lauretta Pierce-the Cookie Lady and 5 local Pastors including, A Louis Patterson Jr., Pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell, Pastor Rudy Rasmus, Pastor Terrance Johnson and Pastor Reginald DaVaughn Sr.
Co-Hosted by Pastor Paula White and Comedian D-Ellis, who was simply hilarious, the evening also paid tribute to NBA Players, NBA Coaches, Sports Figures and high profile individuals who effect change in the lives of others and portray a positive image that is both inspiring and motivating.
The event kicked off with red carpet arrivals with some of the top Gospel Media outlets, waiting for some of the industry heavy hitters to make their way in front of their cameras, including Cathy Hughes.
Featured guests artists for the evening included National Recording Artist Israel & New Breed, James Fortune & Fiya, Gospel’s Smooth Man, Brain Courtney Wilson and Season Five of BET’s Sunday Best Alexis Spight!
During one poignant moment of the event, Pastor White invited several of the area pastors to join her and Gabby Douglas who was already on stage after receiving a special award from Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, who offered strong words of encouragement to Douglas.
“For the past 8 years we’ve brought Faith and Inspiration to NBA All-Star Weekend, the FIRST & ONLY Gospel Event working in conjunction with NBA Entertainment,” exclaimed Tomeka B. Holyfield, Creator and Executive Producer of the All-Star Gospel Celebration. “It is an exciting time for the local community, NBA Players and their loved ones to take a moment and acknowledge the phenomenal nominee’s and the incredible work they’ve done in the community. So many times we are bombarded with negative images of professional athletes, and pastors, but we rarely hear about the individuals who are making a difference in people’s lives. This platform allows us to applaud them for their amazing compassion and dedication to people.” All while enjoying the HOTTEST Gospel Concert!
This year’s headline sponsors included WALGREENS, as this year’s ASGC SLAM DUNK CORPORATE SPONSOR and The Word Network. Media sponsors included The Belle Report, D-MARS, Path Magazine and KTSU Choice 90.9 FM.
Courtesy of www.thebellereport.net www.twitter.com/thebellereport
