This past weekend, on May 31, 2014  at Christ the King High School in Queens The K.I.N.G  foundation and POWER industries joined forces to organize the first Above the Rim Celebrity Basketball Challenge. A  fundraiser to raise funding and awareness about the Eagle Academy Foundation and K.I.N.G movement, two grassroots organizations working to empire and educate young men in urban areas.

 The event consisted of two games the first of which was played by two Eagle Academy teams,  one from Brooklyn and the other the Bronx. While Brooklyn would win the scrimmage, both teams were rewarded with chances to take photos and receive autographs from some of their idols from the celebrity teams.

Both A-list teams KING and Power boasted a studded roster with players such as Wale, Chris Broussard, Michael Smith,  Mark Tallman, Felipe Lopez, Mark Jeffries, Irv Gotti, Ja Rule, Jadakiss and an array of Power 105.1’s Dj’s and personalities, including Dj Clue, Reymo, Whutevva, EmEZ and Curt Flirt.

While the celebs garnered the spotlight during the game before and after the showdown fans were allowed to sneak in photos and even take shots alongside their favorite musicians and athletes.

“It was good that everyone came out and remember the kids, no one acted as though they were too good for a photo or a hug and that was what this was all about, reminding the kids that these artists do care” said event organizer Ahmed Rodriquez of Power Industry. Fellow organizer and founder of the K.I.N.G movement, Chris Broussard gave a touching halftime speech congratulating the young men within the audience and reminding them that anything is possible. “It is important that we remind them that they can be Kings and that while the media may portray us as otherwise, the lord has a greater plan for those who chose to follow his path” said Broussard, who is a sports Analyst on Espn’s NBA Fastbreak.

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