FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 7 2018
Contact
Colneth Smiley
Desk: 617.348.6224
Cell: 617.872.9435
colneth.smiley@bostonabcd.org
In rare Boston appearance, Grammy and Golden Globe Winner QUEEN LATIFAH to speak, perform at ABCD’s Community Heroes Celebration
Celebrated NBA-Championship-winning Coach & Humanitarian DOC RIVERS to be inducted into ABCD Hall of Fame
October event will honor extraordinary community volunteers
and special honorees Tina Chḗry and Sam Nagler, Esq.
(BOSTON) – Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD), which serves 100,000 of greater Boston’s most vulnerable children, elders and families, welcomes Grammy® and Golden Globe® award-winning superstar QUEEN LATIFAH to its October 26th Community Heroes Celebration, where she’ll both speak and perform. “In her own words and in concert,” Latifah will share her insights and perform for some one thousand guests.
That evening, ABCD will also enshrine former Boston Celtics Coach and ABCD Hoop Dreams co-founder DOC RIVERS, in its Hall of Fame, whose roster includes such luminaries as Senator Edward M. Kennedy, civil rights leader Melnea Cass, social justice innovator Sargent Shriver, and community change agent Mel King.
The theme of this year’s ABCD gala is “In It Together,” to state loud and clear that reaching out to each other and working as one is the only way to thrive when powerful forces are being put in place to create even stronger barriers to opportunity.
With a mission to help those in need transition from poverty to stability to success, ABCD provides a ladder upward to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds. At the heart of its annual celebration, ABCD shines a spotlight on extraordinary volunteers and community members who go above and beyond to assist, serve, and educate our neighbors who struggle every day to make ends meet.
The 2018 ABCD Community Heroes Celebration will be held Friday, October 26th, at the Boston Marriott Copley Place. Dinner hour begins at 6 pm, and the program starts at 7 pm. Find details at abcdheroes.org.
“We’re extremely excited to welcome Queen Latifah not only because of her amazing work as an actress, singer, and entrepreneur, but because of her heartfelt understanding of our underprivileged
neighbors. As a philanthropist, she inspires people in need to overcome obstacles and inspires those
who want to lend a hand. It’s a perfect example of how families and communities can thrive when we’re in it together,” said ABCD President/CEO John J. Drew.
ABCD Hoop Dreams has become an iconic annual event in Boston. Businesses draft teams to play basketball at TD Garden to have a one-of-a-kind experience and to benefit ABCD youth programs like SummerWorks. This paid summer jobs initiative grooms disadvantaged young people for careers, as well as civic and community engagement.
“Doc Rivers has done so much for Boston’s youth through his partnership with ABCD and our Hoop Dreams event. He’s a man of great talent and great compassion. He leads the Los Angeles Clippers now, but Doc has a special connection to Boston. He stays involved with ABCD and comes back every year to make Hoop Dreams an unforgettable evening and a fundraising success.” said Drew.
Rivers returns as coach and co-host of this year’s ABCD Hoop Dreams on September 4th.
“Congratulations to Doc on this honor,” said Boston Celtics Head Coach and ABCD Hoop Dreams Co-host Brad Stevens. “Doc has always been a dedicated supporter of ABCD. It’s been fun to spend time with him at the annual Hoop Dreams event and see his enthusiasm for supporting a great cause that supports kids and families in the Boston community.”
The great sportswriter, ABCD Hoop Dreams Co-founder, and ABCD Hall of Fame member Bob Ryan said, “Far too many professional sports coaches or managers are coaches or managers first and caring, compassionate human beings second. Doc Rivers is the refreshing exception. The minute he learned what ABCD was all about, he said ‘I want in.’”
Support for the evening is possible thanks to the ABCD Friends Committee, which welcomes Amy Latimer, President of TD Garden, as Event Chair. Latimer has been integral to the success of ABCD Hoop Dreams, helping the organization raise over $500,000 for youth programs, including ABCD SummerWorks, since the fundraiser’s inception.
The ABCD Community Heroes Celebration will also highlight the exceptional contributions of civic leader and peace activist Chaplain Clementina (Tina) M. Chéry, Co-founder, President and CEO of the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute, and longtime partner and friend to ABCD, Sam Nagler, Esq.
In all, ABCD will recognize some 20 outstanding community heroes for their selfless contributions of time, energy and compassion!
For information about the ABCD Community Heroes Celebration, contact Amelia Aubourg at 617-348-6238 or amelia.aubourg@bostonabcd.org, and visit abcderoes.org.
About ABCD
A Massachusetts-based nonprofit human services organization, ABCD provides low income residents in the Boston and Mystic Valley areas with the tools, support, and resources they need to transition from poverty to stability and from stability to success. Each year, we’ve served more than 100,000 individuals, elders and families through a broad range of innovative initiatives as well as long-established, proven programs and services. For more than 50 years, ABCD has been deeply rooted in each neighborhood we serve, empowering individuals and families and supporting them in their quest to live with dignity and achieve their highest potential. For more, please visit bostonabcd.org.