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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 View Recap & Photos View Invitation

Event At a Glance

August 27 – 29, 2026
3 days of programming
Forbes Arena at Morehouse College
830 Westview Dr SW, Atlanta University Center, GA · Sat ALL DAY · Thu: City Hall · Fri: Rosel Fann
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 Forbes Arena 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 — all at Forbes Arena at Morehouse College — Broken Crayons Still Color Summit, Guest Speakers, Awards, and Basketball Games starting at 3:30 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: Saturday — Broken Crayons Still Color Summit + 40th Anniversary Games
All Saturday activities at Forbes Arena at Morehouse College (830 Westview Dr SW) · Registration 8:00 AM · Broken Crayons Still Color simulations including Mock Car Crash with Atlanta Fire Rescue & EMS, Mock Funeral, Mock Trial, Incarceration & Reentry · WestCare Presentations (1:00–2:00 PM) · 40th Anniversary Midnight Basketball Games — Tip-off 3:30 PM
Day 3 Tomorrow
Sat · Aug 29 🎭 Broken Crayons Still Color Summit + 🏀 40th Anniversary Midnight Basketball Games
📍
ALL DAY VENUE — Saturday, August 29
Forbes Arena at Morehouse College
830 Westview Dr SW, Atlanta, GA 30314 · Atlanta University Center · 8:00 AM – Evening
8:00 AM
Registration Opens — Forbes Arena at Morehouse College
Guest & youth registration · Vendor & community resource check-in · Continental breakfast & refreshments · Music & networking · Free toiletries to first 100 registered attendees.
Registration
9:30 AM
Welcome & Opening Program
Welcome from event leadership · Recognition of partners, sponsors & community organizations · Overview of the Broken Crayons Still Color Summit · Safety instructions & explanation of the day's simulations.
Opening
10:00 AM
Mental Health & Youth Safety Opening Session
Conversation centered around trauma, mental health, violence prevention, choices and consequences · Prepares youth and families for the interactive simulation experiences that follow.
Session
10:30 AM
🎭 Broken Crayons Still Color Experience Begins
🚗 Mock Car Crash with Atlanta Fire Rescue & EMS (10:30 AM) → ⚰️ Mock Funeral (11:00 AM) → ⚖️ Mock Trial (11:30 AM) → 🔒 Incarceration Simulation (12:00 PM) → 🔓 Reentry Simulation (12:30 PM)
Signature Experience
1:00 PM
WestCare Presentations — Sessions One & Two
Session 1 (1:00–1:30 PM): Available services, prevention, treatment, recovery & community resources. Session 2 (1:30–2:00 PM): For participants, families & community members.
Presentation
2:00 PM
Summit Closing & Call to Action
Closing message · Community resources & partner recognition · Transition to the arena floor for the 40th Anniversary Midnight Basketball Games.
Summit Closes
2:00–3:15
Transition to Game Floor — Forbes Arena
Move from summit program area to arena floor · Team check-in & warmups · Officials & staff preparation · Guest seating.
Transition
3:30 PM
🏀 40th Anniversary Midnight Basketball Games — Official Opening
Forbes Arena at Morehouse College · Recognition of the 40-year legacy of Midnight Basketball · AMB, Love From Afar, POD & community partners · Team introductions · Opening tip-off.
🏀 Games
Evening
Games Continue Through the Evening
Community engagement, entertainment, partner recognition & anniversary activities throughout the afternoon and evening at Forbes Arena at Morehouse College.
40 Years · One Mission
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

Forbes Arena at Morehouse College
830 Westview Dr SW, Atlanta, GA 30314
Saturday ALL DAY · Host Chapter: Atlanta MBL  ·  Atlanta University Center

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

All Saturday activities at Forbes Arena at Morehouse College · Broken Crayons Still Color Summit 8:00 AM–2:00 PM · Games begin 3:30 PM Saturday, Aug 29 · Open to all community attendees · FREE admission.

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.