Blue Team Triumphs in Double Overtime at Ball4Good Celebrity Basketball Game, Honoring Six Organizations

In an exhilarating display of skill and compassion, the annual Ball4Good Celebrity Basketball Game delivered an unforgettable experience, captivating spectators with its electrifying double-overtime showdown. With the final score at an intense 93-90, the Blue Team emerged triumphant over their formidable rivals, the Red Team, in a contest that kept the crowd on the edge of their seats.

The Pregame show between the BRUH Mentor and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Upstate youth teams was filled with cheers, baskets, and promising talent. 

However, the real champions of the afternoon were the local organizations supported by Ball4Good, as the charity generously awarded grants to aid various causes close to the community’s hearts. The Project Hope Foundation received a grant for recreational equipment for autistic youth, while The Cleveland Opportunity Foundation was honored with funds to implement its Raising a Reader program. The Period Project received funds to make period packs for local students, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Upstate received a grant for Project SPARK – an academic and fitness initiative. BRUH Mentor was granted funds to empower its mentorship programs, and The BASIC Babies, received funding for a trip to the International African American Museum. These grants will undoubtedly strengthen the invaluable work being done by these organizations, uplifting the lives of those they compassionately serve.

Ball4Good, a local nonprofit organization founded in 2017 by Duke University sophomore and Robertson Scholar Adom Appiah, is crafted around the mission of serving communities through sports. CFLeads CEO, Mary L. Thomas invested in mentoring young Adom who was then enrolled in Kelsea Turner’s 20Time Project at Spartanburg Day School

Behind the scenes, the 2023 Ball4Good Celebrity Basketball Game was meticulously organized by a passionate youth grants committee, comprising exceptional high school students guided by insightful college student advisors. At the helm of the committee, 2022 Heisman High School Scholarship National Winner and Grants Chair Cam Srivastava showcased remarkable leadership alongside dedicated members André Nguyen, Anna Beeson, Dominique Quiñonez, Houston Johnson, Mya Ferguson, Noah Hazel, Karter Glymph, Ford Daniels, Trinity Metcalf, and Karl Osei Boateng. Former Grants Committee members turned Advisory Board Members – Karine Nguyen (University of Richmond), Maxwell Booker (Harvard University), Charity Metcalf (Xavier University of Louisiana), Bryce Knight (Wofford College), and Founder Adom Appiah (Duke University) were instrumental in planning the event. Their unwavering dedication and vision played a pivotal role in the game’s success.

Taking center stage was a talented array of celebrity players, including community leaders, academics, and accomplished athletes. Mayor Jerome Rice, a returning player from last year known for his commitment to community progress, hustled up and down the court. Joining him were standout athletes like USC Upstate’s Izzy Geraci, Clemson Running Back Domonique Thomas, and Lander University’s Chandler Lindsey, who skillfully showcased their abilities in support of the cause. The game also featured the participation of distinguished individuals, including Spartanburg’s NAACP President Michael Brown, City Council Member Erica Brown, Converse’s Provost Dr. Joe Wilferth, Wofford’s Provost Dr. Tim Schmitz, and Spartanburg Day School Headmaster, Dave Skeen. The teams were coached by Converse University Athletic Director Jenn Bell and Gaffney Chief of Police Gerald Knight. Spectators followed the friendly battle closely while enjoying tasty concessions provided by United Way of the Piedmont.

Since its inception, the youth-led Ball4Good has supported over 44 organizations through grants and volunteering.  The organization’s unwavering commitment to promoting social good through sports has significantly impacted the local community becoming a driving force for positive change in the region. The annual Celebrity Basketball Game stands as a testament to the power of collective action and the remarkable transformations that can be achieved when communities unite for a common purpose. The event could not have been made possible without the generous support of several sponsors.

As the final buzzer echoed throughout the arena, signaling the Blue Team’s hard-fought victory, the annual Ball4Good Celebrity Basketball Game etched itself into the hearts of all involved. The event’s profound impact will resonate long after the final score, reminding us of the extraordinary power of sports, philanthropy, and community unity. 

Players

Jerome Rice – Mayor of Spartanburg

Dr. Joe Wilferth – Provost, Converse University

Dr. Tim Schmitz – Provost, Wofford College

Honorable Michael Brown – County Council & President of Spartanburg NAACP

Ashley Whitt – Vice President of Grants, Spartanburg County Foundation

Rev. Alan Dyer – First Presbyterian Church

Honorable Erica Brown – City Council

Ryan Langley – Partner, Hodge & Langley

Jay Free – JFree Journey

Jay Stevens – PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers)

Vic Durrah – Executive Director, Brothers Restoring Urban Hope

Jamaal Brown – Head Coach, High Point Academy

Isabella Geraci – USC Upstate WBB

Sedrick Posey – Chef and Owner, PuddN’

Dave Skeen – Headmaster, Spartanburg Day School

Greg Embry – Finance Professional

Chris Hollis – Counselor

Domonique Thomas – Running Back, Clemson Football

Tra Staggs – Lander University MBB

Hoyt Bynum – Senior Nonprofit Executive and Character Coach

Dr. Kofi Appiah – Spartanburg Nephrology Associates

Liz Evans – Development Director Play Advocate Live Well (PAL) 

Son of Ice – Founder, The Sound of Learning

David Fields aka DJ Cool Dave

Xavier McKnight – Youth Advocate

Jervay Galberth – Founder, We Care 4 You

Charles Richard – Sewanee MBB

Brittany Mack – Southern Wesleyan WBB

Chandler Lindsey – Lander MBB

Karl Osei Boateng – Ball4Good Volunteer Coordinator

Coaches

Blue Team – Gerald Knight – Chief of Police, Gaffney

Red Team – Jenn Bell – Athletic Director, Converse University

Referees

Bryce Knight – Wofford College, Ball4Good Advisory Board

Leo Carter – Spartanburg Methodist College, Player in 2022 Ball4Good Celebrity Basketball Game

Planning Committee

  • Adom Appiah
  • Karine Nguyen
  • Maxwell Booker
  • Charity Metcalf
  • Bryce Knight
  • Houston Johnson
  • Cam Srivastava
  • Dominique Quinonez
  • Andre Nguyen
  • Karter Glymph
  • Anna Beeson
  • Noah Hazel
  • Mya Feguson
  • Ford Daniels
  • Trinity Metcalf
  • Karl Osei Boateng

Volunteers

  • Sheryl Booker
  • Dr. Duckett
  • Shre Srivastava
  • Caitlin Hazel
  • Charles Blue

Master of Ceremonies

Adom Appiah – Duke University, Founder, Ball4Good

Cheerleaders

BASIC Babies, Spartanburg

Marjorie Boafo Appiah – Agent, Ball4Good 

Hope Blackley – Former Clerk of Court and Owner of Hope Consulting

To learn more, visit www.ball4good.org

Four Organizations Selected as Recipients of 2023 Ball4Good Celebrity Game Grants

2023 Ball4Good Celebrity Basketball Game Announces Benefeciaries

Ball4Good is happy to announce that four organizations will be honored at the 2023 Celebrity Basketball Game.

Our beneficiaries are Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Upstate, Cleveland Opportunity Foundation, Project Hope Foundation, and The Period Project. 

The projects to be funded are as follows:

Big Brothers Big Sisters — Project SPARK — Sporting (S), Physical Fitness (P) Academic (A), and Recreational (R) Events for Kids (K).

Cleveland Opportunity Foundation — Raising a Reader Program — Giving bags with books to students each week so that they can take them home and read with their parents.

Project Hope Foundation — Playground of outdoor exercise and recreational equipment for autistic youth and young adults served at Spartanburg campus — Ball4Good will fund the purchase of adult-sized swing sets to stimulate needed sensory input.

The Period Project — Back to School Bash — Period Packs for Spartanburg Students

This year, the game will take place on July 16th at 4 p.m. at Spartanburg Day School’s Webster Athletic Complex.

PLEASE PURCHASE A TICKET OR DONATE HERE.

3 Ball4Good Volunteers Receive Watson-Brown Scholarship

3 Ball4Good Volunteers Receive  Watson-Brown Scholarship

Congratulations to Ball4Good Grants Committee Chair Karine Nguyen, Grants Committee member Emily Grace Cobourn, and volunteer Florian Sloan on receiving the prestigious Watson-Brown Scholarship.

“The primary mission of the Watson-Brown Foundation is providing need and merit-based scholarships to select Georgia and South Carolina students attending accredited four-year colleges and universities in the United States.” -WatsonBrown.Org

Ball4Good Watson-Browns will be attending the following institutions:

University of Richmond – Karine Nguyen

University of Virginia – Emily Grace Coburn

Washington and Lee University – Florian Sloan

Learn more about the Watson-Brown Foundation here.

Ball4Good Players Commit to Playing Soccer in College

Congratulations to Kicks 4 Cancer and Ball4Good players John Rhoden, Raegan Cash, Kaif Surka, Serge Nkoth, and Julio Mora. These 5 youth volunteers will be playing soccer at the college level beginning fall, 2022.

Ball4Good soccer players have played a vital role in raising funds for the Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas, Tyger River Children’s Center, Center for Youth Justice, and Sidewalk Hope. As members of the High School Class of 2022, they will be pursuing their academic and athletic talents at:

Warren Wilson College – John Rhoden

Converse University – Raegan Cash

Converse University – Kaif Surka

Converse University – Serge Nkoth

Spartanburg Methodist College – Julio Mora

Congratulations to our young leaders!

2021 Request for Proposals – Celebrity Basketball Games Grant

APPLY TODAY!

Ball4Good is a nonprofit organization that supports communities and nonprofits through sports. The Celebrity Basketball Games is an annual fundraising event that brings the Spartanburg County
community together for a fun afternoon of sports, philanthropy, and entertainment. A local nonprofit will receive up to $10,000 of proceeds raised from Ball4Good to support direct services. Additionally, three nonprofits will receive a $1,000 grant towards direct services. The games are scheduled for July, 2022.

Please email proposals to info@ball4good.org by 5:00 pm on December 17, 2021
Celebrity Basketball Games Grant Application.


Priority will be given directly to organizations that can clearly demonstrate how the project will benefit the residents of Spartanburg County.

Applicants may submit the following:


● One page proposal describing the project for which you are requesting funds
● An outline and timeline of how the funds will be used
● Proof of 501 (c) (3) – IRS determination letter
● Form 990

Eligibility

Organizations must operate in Spartanburg County and should provide services that impact children in one of the following areas:
● At-risk Youth
● Education
● Family Services
● Health Services
● Homelessness
● Poverty
● Social Justice

The Ball4Good Celebrity Basketball Games will not provide funding for :
● Annual fund campaigns
● Annual operating support other than for start-up purposes

Note:
Organizations that have received $5,000 or higher from Ball4Good during the past two years are not eligible to apply.


Process
Applications will be reviewed by a Grants Committee representative of students who reside in
Spartanburg County. Students across the county will vote for the final recipient.


Additional Information:

For additional questions, email info@ball4good.org To learn about Ball4Good, visit http://www.ball4good.org

Ball4Good Announces 2020 Celebrity Games Grant Finalists!

The Ball4Good Grants Committee is excited to announce that four nonprofits have been selected as finalists for the Basketball Celebrity Game funds. The committee reviewed grant applications from late December through early February. Past recipients of the Celebrity Game grants are:

2017 Recipient- Boys and Girls Club

2018 Recipient – Children’s Advocacy Center

2018 Finalists – Miracle HillGirl Scouts & Boys and Girls Club

2019 Recipient – Project Hope Foundation

2019 Finalists – Citizen Scholars, Sidewalk Hope, and BRUH Mentor

The 2020 finalists are:

YMCA: The YMCA’s mission is to put Christian principles into practice
through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.

Clemson University Tiger Alliance: Seeks to increase educational
opportunities and upward economic mobility for underrepresented youth in
the Upstate of South Carolina

Mental Fitness: Leads professional development training for school professionals and educators on relevant mental health topics such as suicide prevention, stress management and managing serious mental illness in schools.

Citizen Scholars: Provides disadvantaged youth, through mentoring and program support, with the life skills, knowledge, and character development needed to obtain college scholarships, complete college, and become contributing citizens.

 

Students will be voting for the grant recipient during the month of February. Congratulations to our four finalists!

Book Launch Benefits Baseball Organization

Our founder, Adom Appiah, launched his second book on August 10th at Big Air Spartanburg. The book is titled Bouncing Back from Failure. He wrote the book to tell kids just like him that failure isn’t the end. Ball4Good received donations at the event to benefit Carolina Miracle League, a nonprofit that helps kids play baseball. In addition to the funds raised at the launch, a percentage of proceeds from the book will benefit Carolina Miracle League. Here are some photos from the launch. Thanks to all our supporters! Enjoy the photos!

You can buy Bouncing Back from Failure at your local bookstore or here.

 

You can buy Appiah’s first book, Kids Can Change the World at your local bookstore or at this link.

bbff launch boys.jpgbbff launch with teachers.jpgbbff launch with caleb.jpgbbff launch sds crew.jpgbbff launch 8th friends.jpg

14-Year-Old Ball4Good Founder Receives Award for Civic Leadership & Community Change

Adom Appiah, the 14-year-old founder of Ball4Good and author of Kids Can Change the World received the Mary L. Thomas Award for Civic Leadership and Community Change from the Spartanburg County Foundation. The award recognizes the contributions of individuals who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to improving the quality of life in the community. The Spartanburg County Foundation sought nominees who had developed innovative solutions to tackle critical community issues. Adom seized opportunities to make a difference by offering compassionate leadership, commitment and personal skills, with the ultimate goal of creating a better and brighter tomorrow.

Adom was honored at the Spartanburg County Foundation’s 75th annual meeting. Click link for Spartanburg Herald article.

Check out the award video.