Day One · Thursday, August 27, 2026
Welcome & The City
Official Opening Ceremony · Press Conference · Atlanta City Hall Reception · 40th Anniversary Celebration
🏛️ Welcome
The City
The City
| Time | Program Element | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 3:00 PM– 4:00 PM | Delegate Arrival & Welcome Lounge Open Check-In Summit materials distributed · Networking lounge open · Staff at welcome desk |
Hotel lobby / designated welcome area |
| 4:00 PM– 4:15 PM | Meet & Greet Reception Atlanta City Hall Atrium — 55 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303 |
All delegates, civic leaders & guests · City Hall Atrium |
| 4:15 PM– 4:40 PM | Official Opening Ceremony Opening Formal commencement of the 2026 National Summit · 40th Anniversary recognition |
Summit opening — City Hall Atrium |
| 4:40 PM– 4:55 PM | Welcome Remarks Keynote Lawrence C. Gray Jr. — President & CEO, Association of Midnight Basketball |
Lawrence C. Gray Jr., President & CEO |
| 4:55 PM– 5:10 PM | Association Tribute / 40th Anniversary Legacy Moment 40th Anniversary Commemorating four decades of community impact |
40th Anniversary recognition |
| 5:10 PM– 5:20 PM | Summit Framing Keynote Michael H. Steadman — National Director · Goals, agenda overview & summit expectations |
Michael H. Steadman, National Director |
| 5:20 PM– 5:40 PM | Host City Spotlight — Atlanta Welcome Host City City welcome and host framing · Introduction of civic partners |
Atlanta civic welcome |
| 5:40 PM– 5:55 PM | Civic-Association Bridging Remarks Civic Ramondo Davidson — Georgia State Director & Senior Advisor to the Mayor of Atlanta |
Ramondo Davidson |
| 5:55 PM– 6:30 PM | Press Conference Media Atlanta City Hall · Media opportunity · RSVP: rdavidson@atlantaga.gov |
Atlanta City Hall · Press & media |
| 6:30 PM– 8:00 PM | 40th Anniversary Celebration — Mayor's Office Networking Event Civic Atlanta civic leaders · Chapter Directors · Sponsors · Delegates · Open networking & fellowship |
Atlanta City Hall · Civic leaders, sponsors & all delegates |
Day Two · Friday, August 28, 2026
The History · The Association
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM · Program at Hotel · 12:00 PM Lunch with the President & Board Members
📖 History
& Mission
& Mission
📍
Venue: Rosel Fann Recreation Center
365 Cleveland Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30354 · Program begins 9:00 AM · Lunch with the President & Board Members at 12:00 PM · All delegates encouraged to attend
| Time | Program Element | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 AM– 9:15 AM | Welcome & Opening Remarks Opening Friday session welcome · Setting the tone for the morning program |
Lawrence C. Gray Jr. — President & CEO |
| 9:15 AM– 9:35 AM | History of Midnight Basketball History The origin story — Dr. G. Van Standifer · June 18, 1986, Glenarden, Maryland · Four decades of evolution |
Historical presentation |
| 9:35 AM– 9:55 AM | What Is Midnight Basketball Mission Mission, model, and national impact · How Midnight Basketball works in communities today |
Program overview & mission framing |
| 9:55 AM– 10:10 AM | Sponsors & Partners Recognition Sponsors Formal recognition of national sponsors, community partners, and funding organizations |
All sponsors & partners acknowledged |
| 10:10 AM– 10:35 AM | Speakers & Featured Voices Speakers Featured speakers sharing insight, experience, and perspective on the movement and its future |
Featured guest speakers |
| 10:35 AM– 10:55 AM | Testimonials Testimonials Alumni, participants, and community members share how Midnight Basketball changed their lives |
Alumni & participant voices |
| 10:55 AM– 11:20 AM | Administration Admin National organizational updates · Chapter network business · Policy, structure, and operations overview |
National leadership — AMB Administration |
| 11:20 AM– 11:40 AM | Q&A Session Open Q&A Open question and answer session — delegates, chapter directors, and guests may ask questions of leadership |
Open to all attendees |
| 11:40 AM– 12:00 PM | Meet the Board Board Introduction of the AMB Board of Directors · Opportunity to meet and engage with board members |
AMB Board of Directors |
| 12:00 PM | 🍽️ Lunch with the President & Board Members Lunch Hosted lunch with President & CEO Lawrence C. Gray Jr. and the AMB Board of Directors · Open to all delegates and chapter directors · Rosel Fann Recreation Center |
All delegates welcome · Rosel Fann Recreation Center |
🍽️
Lunch with the President & Board Members — 12:00 PM
A hosted lunch with President & CEO Lawrence C. Gray Jr. and the AMB Board of Directors. Open to all delegates and chapter directors — an opportunity for relationship-building, reflection, and direct engagement with national leadership.
President's Lunch
Board of Directors
All Delegates Welcome
Rosel Fann Recreation Center
Friday Venue: Rosel Fann Recreation Center · 365 Cleveland Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30354. Saturday check-in begins 8:00 AM at Morehouse College.
🏆
Awards & Honors — Presented Saturday, August 29
Full awards program integrated into Saturday's programming · See Day 3 schedule below
The 40th Anniversary Awards & Honors program has been moved to Saturday, August 29, as part of the full-day programming at Morehouse College. Awards will be presented during the formal program alongside guest speakers, acknowledgements, and the closing luncheon — creating one unified celebration day.
Saturday Awards Program Flow — See Day 3 ↓
| Time | Program Element | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 10:00 AM– 2:00 PM | Full Saturday Program Day 3 Love From Afar · Guest Speakers · Awards · Lunch · Acknowledgements |
See Day 3 — Saturday schedule for complete breakdown |
| 3:00 PMonwards | Basketball Games Games Midnight Basketball Games begin · Morehouse College Forbes Arena |
Basketball begins at 3:00 PM |
Awards & Honors Presented
🏅 Lifetime Achievement / Founder's Legacy Award
Honors an individual whose lifetime of service has shaped the mission and movement of Midnight Basketball.
⭐ 40th Anniversary Honorees / Special Recognitions
Special honors marking the milestone year — legacy contributors, long-standing leaders, and historic chapters.
🏆 Chapter of the Year
Recognizes the chapter demonstrating exceptional programming, partnership, and community impact over the past year.
🎖️ Director of the Year
Honors a Chapter Director whose leadership, consistency, and results stand out across the national network.
🌟 Alumni Impact Award
Celebrates an alumnus or alumna whose life and work reflect the lasting impact of Midnight Basketball.
🤝 Sponsor of the Year
Recognizes a sponsor whose partnership and investment have meaningfully advanced the mission.
🌱 Community Partner Award
Honors a community-based organization whose collaboration has strengthened a chapter or the national network.
🏙️ City Partnership Award
Recognizes a city whose civic leadership has championed Midnight Basketball through meaningful public-private partnership.
💛 Volunteer of the Year
Celebrates a volunteer whose service has been essential to a chapter's success.
🎗️ National Director's Award
Presented by Michael H. Steadman — in recognition of distinguished contribution to the field and the network.
👑 President's Award
Presented by Lawrence C. Gray Jr. — in recognition of extraordinary service, leadership, or impact aligned with the vision of the Association.
Acknowledgements — During Luncheon (1:00–2:00 PM · Basketball 3:00 PM)
During the Saturday luncheon, formal acknowledgements will be made by Lawrence C. Gray Jr. and Michael H. Steadman — recognizing those whose support and service made the 40th Anniversary National Summit possible:
- • The Board of Directors of the Association of Midnight Basketball
- • Chapter Directors across the national network
- • Sponsors, donors, and philanthropic partners
- • Civic leaders, city officials, and the City of Atlanta
- • Alumni, mentors, coaches, and program participants
- • Volunteers, summit staff, and production team
- • The founding leadership and legacy contributors of Midnight Basketball
Day Three · Saturday, August 29, 2026
Full Programming Day — Love From Afar, Speakers, Awards & Basketball
Morehouse College · 107 Fair St SW, Atlanta University Center · Registration 8:00 AM
🎶 Full
Program
Program
📍
Venue: Morehouse College — Atlanta University Center
107 Fair St SW, Atlanta University Center, GA · Registration desk opens 8:00 AM · Free Food · Free Toiletries · Free Haircuts available on-site
| Time | Program Element | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 AM– 10:00 AM | Registration & Welcome Check-In Registration Delegate & community check-in · Materials distributed · Free haircuts, toiletries & food available |
Doors open 8:00 AM at Morehouse College |
| 10:00 AM– 10:20 AM | Opening Ceremony & Welcome Opening Welcome to the full program day · Lawrence C. Gray Jr. — President & CEO |
Lawrence C. Gray Jr., President & CEO |
| 10:20 AM– 10:50 AM | Love From Afar — Opening Framing Signature Led by Dr. Cynthia Williams — Event Producer & Love From Afar Curator · Sets tone for the full program |
Dr. Cynthia Williams — Love From Afar Curator |
| 10:50 AM– 12:00 PM | Love From Afar — Full Programming Signature Immersive community experience curated by Dr. Cynthia Williams · Youth Safety & Mental Health focus |
Signature immersive experience — full room engagement |
| 12:00 PM– 12:45 PM | Guest Speakers Keynote Featured guest speakers addressing youth safety, community impact, and the legacy of Midnight Basketball |
Guest speaker presentations |
| 12:45 PM– 1:00 PM | Awards Presentation Awards Honors presented across all award categories · Recognition of outstanding chapters, directors, partners & alumni |
All award categories presented |
| 1:00 PM– 2:00 PM | Luncheon Lunch Hosted seated lunch · Fellowship & sponsor recognition · Free food on-site for community attendees |
Seated luncheon — all delegates & guests |
| During Lunch1:00–2:00 PM | Acknowledgements Ceremony Formal acknowledgement of sponsors, volunteers, staff, civic leaders, chapter directors & the founding legacy |
Lawrence C. Gray Jr. & Michael H. Steadman |
| 3:00 PMonwards | 🏀 Midnight Basketball Games Begin Games National Tournament / Championship & Exhibition Play · Morehouse College Forbes Arena · Community welcome |
Basketball starts 3:00 PM sharp — open to all |
| Evening | Official Summit Adjournment End of the 2026 AMB 40th Anniversary National Summit · Safe travels to all delegates |
End of National Summit |
🏆
40th Anniversary Awards & Recognition
Saturday, August 29 · 12:45 PM – 1:00 PM · Morehouse College, Atlanta University Center
The 40th Anniversary Awards program honors the people, chapters, partners, and cities whose service has carried the Association of Midnight Basketball through four decades of impact. Awards are presented as part of Saturday's full programming, followed immediately by the luncheon and formal acknowledgements, before basketball begins at 3:00 PM at Morehouse College Forbes Arena.