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40th Anniversary Atlanta, GA Aug 27–29, 2026

40th Anniversary
National Summit
& National Basketball Tournament

"Knowledge of the Past is the Key to the Future"

Four days of leadership, legacy, and competition — honoring 40 years of transforming lives through basketball, mentorship, and community empowerment. Hosted by the Atlanta MBL Chapter.

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View Full Schedule Register Now View Invitation

Event At a Glance

August 27 – 29, 2026
3 days of programming
Morehouse College — Atlanta, GA
107 Fair St SW, Atlanta University Center
National Basketball Tournament
Chapter teams compete nationally
Program Summit
Training, workshops & keynotes
40th Anniversary Awards
Sat · Guest speakers, awards & luncheon
Open to All Chapters
Directors, staff, partners & alumni
Welcome Letter Signed by
Lawrence C. Gray Jr.
President & CEO, AMB
40 Years of Impact
4 Days of Events
ATL Host City
1986 Founded
From the President & CEO

Welcome to Atlanta

August 26, 2026

Dear Colleagues, Chapter Directors, Partners, and Friends of Midnight Basketball,

Allow me this time to personally welcome you to Atlanta on behalf of the national Association of Midnight Basketball. It is a profound honor to gather with all of you in this vibrant city as we celebrate our 40th Anniversary National Program Summit & National Basketball Tournament.

This year marks a momentous milestone — four decades since Dr. G. Van Standifer launched the first Midnight Basketball League Program™ on June 18, 1986 in Glenarden, Maryland. What began as a bold community experiment has grown into a proven national movement that has transformed hundreds of thousands of lives through basketball, mentorship, and life skills programming.

Over three days, we will celebrate our legacy, strengthen our network, honor outstanding leaders through our 40th Anniversary Awards program, and compete on the courts at Morehouse College. Thursday events begin at 4:00 PM at Atlanta City Hall Atrium with the Meet & Greet, Opening Ceremony, Press Conference, and 40th Anniversary Celebration at the Mayor's Office. Friday features a morning program — The History & The Association (9:00 AM–12:00 PM) — followed by a Lunch with the President & Board Members at 12:00 PM, and Saturday is our full programming day — Love From Afar, Guest Speakers, Awards, Luncheon, and Basketball Games starting at 3:00 PM. Atlanta — a city of resilience, culture, and community — is the perfect backdrop for this historic gathering.

Our theme, "Knowledge of the Past is the Key to the Future," reminds us that we stand on the shoulders of giants. The work done before us is our foundation — and the work ahead of us is our charge. I look forward to learning with you, celebrating with you, and most importantly, being inspired by you.

Welcome to Atlanta. Welcome home.

Lawrence C. Gray Jr.
President & CEO, Association of Midnight Basketball
Run of Show prepared by Michael H. Steadman — National Director
Aug 27–29, 2026

Full Schedule

Three days of programming, competition, and celebration. Click each day to expand. View the full official Run of Show →

Thu · Aug 27 🏛️ Welcome & The City
3:00 PM
Delegate Arrival & Welcome Lounge Open
Summit materials distributed · Networking lounge open · Staff at welcome desk.
Check-In
4:00 PM
Meet & Greet
Atlanta City Hall Atrium · 55 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303 · All delegates, civic leaders & guests.
Reception
4:15 PM
Official Opening Ceremony
Formal commencement of the 2026 National Summit · 40th Anniversary recognition.
Opening
4:40 PM
Welcome Remarks — Lawrence C. Gray Jr.
President & CEO · Association of Midnight Basketball
Keynote
4:55 PM
Association Tribute / 40th Anniversary Legacy Moment
Commemorating four decades of community impact.
40th Anniversary
5:10 PM
Summit Framing — Michael H. Steadman
National Director · Goals, agenda overview, and summit expectations.
Keynote
5:20 PM
Host City Spotlight — Atlanta Welcome
City welcome and host framing · Civic-Association Bridging Remarks — Ramondo Davidson, Georgia State Director.
Host City
5:55 PM
Press Conference
Atlanta City Hall · Media opportunity · RSVP: rdavidson@atlantaga.gov
Media
6:30 PM
40th Anniversary Celebration — Mayor's Office Networking Event
Atlanta City Hall · Civic leaders · Chapter Directors · Sponsors · Delegates · Open networking & fellowship through 8:00 PM.
Civic
Fri · Aug 28 📖 The History · The Association
📍 Venue: Rosel Fann Recreation Center
365 Cleveland Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30354 · Program 9:00 AM–12:00 PM · 12:00 PM Lunch with the President & Board Members
9:00 AM
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Friday session welcome · Lawrence C. Gray Jr., President & CEO
9:00–9:15 AM
9:15 AM
History of Midnight Basketball
The origin story — Dr. G. Van Standifer · June 18, 1986, Glenarden, Maryland · Four decades of evolution and impact
9:15–9:35 AM
9:35 AM
What Is Midnight Basketball
Mission, model, and national impact · How Midnight Basketball works in communities today
9:35–9:55 AM
9:55 AM
Sponsors & Partners Recognition
Formal recognition of national sponsors, community partners, and funding organizations
9:55–10:10 AM
10:10 AM
Speakers & Featured Voices
Featured speakers sharing insight, experience, and perspective on the movement and its future
10:10–10:35 AM
10:35 AM
Testimonials
Alumni, participants, and community members share how Midnight Basketball changed their lives
10:35–10:55 AM
10:55 AM
Administration
National organizational updates · Chapter network business · Policy, structure, and operations overview
10:55–11:20 AM
11:20 AM
Q&A Session
Open question and answer session — delegates, chapter directors, and guests may address leadership
11:20–11:40 AM
11:40 AM
Meet the Board
Introduction and open engagement with the AMB Board of Directors
11:40 AM–12:00 PM
12:00 PM
🍽️ Lunch with the President & Board Members
Hosted lunch with President & CEO Lawrence C. Gray Jr. and the AMB Board of Directors — an opportunity for delegates and chapter directors to connect with national leadership.
President's Lunch All Delegates Welcome
↓ Sat
Reminder: Full Programming Saturday at Morehouse College
Registration 8:00 AM · Full program 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM · Basketball Games begin 3:00 PM · Morehouse College Forbes Arena · 107 Fair St SW, Atlanta University Center, GA
Day 3 Tomorrow
Sat · Aug 29 🎶 Full Programming — Love From Afar, Speakers, Awards & Basketball
📍 Venue: Morehouse College
107 Fair St SW, Atlanta University Center, GA  ·  Free Food · Free Toiletries · Free Haircuts on-site
8:00 AM
Registration & Welcome Check-In
Delegate & community check-in · Materials distributed · Free haircuts, toiletries & food available on-site.
Registration
10:00 AM
Opening Ceremony & Welcome
Lawrence C. Gray Jr. — President & CEO · Formal commencement of the full program day.
Opening
10:20 AM
Love From Afar — Opening Framing
Led by Dr. Cynthia Williams — Event Producer & Love From Afar Curator · Sets tone for the full program.
Signature
10:50 AM
Love From Afar — Full Programming
Immersive community experience curated by Dr. Cynthia Williams · Youth Safety & Mental Health focus · Through 12:00 PM.
Signature
12:00 PM
Guest Speakers
Featured guest speakers addressing youth safety, community impact, and the 40-year legacy of Midnight Basketball.
Keynote
12:45 PM
Awards Presentation 🏆
40th Anniversary honors across all award categories · Chapter of the Year · Director of the Year · Alumni Impact · President's Award & more.
Awards
1:00 PM
Luncheon & Acknowledgements
Hosted seated lunch · Formal acknowledgements by Lawrence C. Gray Jr. & Michael H. Steadman · Recognition of sponsors, volunteers, staff, civic leaders & founding legacy.
🍽️ Lunch
3:00 PM
🏀 Midnight Basketball Games Begin
National Tournament / Championship & Exhibition Play at Morehouse College Forbes Arena · Community welcome · Open to all attendees.
🏀 Games
Evening
Official Summit Adjournment
End of the 2026 AMB 40th Anniversary National Summit · Safe travels to all delegates and community guests.
Closing
Official Run of Show Document
Full detailed schedule with all times, program elements, and notes — prepared by National Director Michael H. Steadman.
View Full Run of Show
Logistics

Venue & Travel

Everything you need to plan your trip to Atlanta for the 40th Anniversary Summit.

Primary Venue

Morehouse College
107 Fair St SW, Atlanta University Center, GA
Host Chapter: Atlanta MBL  ·  Atlanta, Georgia

Fly Into Atlanta

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) — the world's busiest airport, with direct flights from most U.S. cities.

Hotel Block

AMB courtesy group rooms are available Aug 26–30 (arrival Wed, depart Mon). Use Group Code G-LFAF when booking at Hyatt Place Atlanta Airport North. Includes hot buffet breakfast, free Wi-Fi & parking. See details below ↓

Basketball / Tournament

Midnight Basketball Games at Morehouse College courts · Games begin 3:00 PM Saturday, Aug 29 · Open to all community attendees.

Dress Code

Summit sessions & Saturday program: Business casual.
Thursday evening reception: Smart casual.
Saturday Basketball Games: Casual / athletic wear welcome.

Registration

Delegate welcome lounge opens 3:00 PM Thursday, August 27. Events begin 4:00 PM at Atlanta City Hall Atrium. All attendees must be pre-registered. Registration link coming soon via chapter portal.

Courtesy Group Room Reservation
AMB 40th Anniversary Summit · Atlanta, GA · Aug 27–29, 2026
Group Code
G-LFAF
Booking Details
Arrival Wednesday, August 26, 2026
Departure Sunday, August 30, 2026
Check-in 3:00 PM
Check-out 12:00 Noon
Rooms Available 15 Guestrooms (Run of House)
Business Type SMERF / Non-Profit
Included Amenities
  • Complimentary Hot Buffet Breakfast
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Free Parking
  • Individual Pays Own Charges
Reservation Contact
Hyatt Place Atlanta Airport North
3415 Norman Berry Drive, Atlanta, GA 30344
877-504-2695  |  Fax: 404-768-2277
When booking, use Group Code G-LFAF and reference LOVE FROM AFAR / AMB Summit 2026.
Registration Open

Register for the 2026 Summit

Open to chapter directors, staff, national partners, alumni, and community guests. Registration takes less than 2 minutes.

AMB 40th Anniversary · Aug 27–29, 2026 · Atlanta, GA
National Summit & Tournament — Official Registration
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