SportsBall 2019, the 25th Annual Black Tie & Sneakers Gala of the Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health (AAIUH), took place on Wednesday, October 2, 2019. Renowned guests representing sports, philanthropy, business, entertainment, and medicine gathered at the Grand Hyatt in New York City to celebrate the legacy of tennis champion and humanitarian Arthur Ashe. SportsBall featured interactive games, dinner buffet, dancing, an awards ceremony, and auction. Each guest received a complimentary pair of sneakers.

SportsBall 2019 is a celebration with a purpose. Each year, the Institute honors individuals and organizations that are making significant contributions to urban communities in the areas of health, education, medical research, community service, and philanthropy. The funds raised at SportsBall support the Institute’s innovative community health education programs and research initiatives. Arthur Ashe founded the Institute in 1992, just two months before his death from AIDS, in response to the disproportionate amount of illness and death in urban communities from preventable diseases. Arthur knew that many of these diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension, were the result of inadequate health care delivery, late detection, and insufficient health education.

HONOREES:

Sydney Butts, MD – Vice Chair, Department of Otolaryngology, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University

Stan Smith – President, International Tennis Hall of Fame

Guy Vickers – President, PVH Foundation

Cheryl Wills – Anchor, NY1 Live at Ten; Host, In Focus with Cheryl Wills

HOSTS:

Ruschell Boone, NY1

Les Trent, Inside Edition

At SportsBall 2019, the 25th Annual Black Tie & Sneakers Gala of the Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health (AAIUH), Dr. Marilyn Fraser, Chief Executive Officer, joins honorees Guy Vickers, Cheryl Wills, Sydney Butts, MD, Stan Smith and AAIUH Board Chairperson Brett Wright.