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40th Anniversary Atlanta, GA Aug 26–29, 2026

40th Anniversary
National Summit
& National Basketball Tournament

"Knowledge of the Past is the Key to the Future"

Four days of leadership, legacy, and competition — honoring 40 years of transforming lives through basketball, mentorship, and community empowerment. Hosted by the Atlanta MBL Chapter.

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View Full Schedule Register Now

Event At a Glance

August 26 – 29, 2026
4 days of programming
Atlanta, Georgia
Host: Atlanta MBL Chapter
National Basketball Tournament
Chapter teams compete nationally
Program Summit
Training, workshops & keynotes
40th Anniversary Gala
Formal evening celebration
Open to All Chapters
Directors, staff, partners & alumni
Welcome Letter Signed by
Lawrence C. Gray Jr.
President & CEO, AMB
40 Years of Impact
4 Days of Events
ATL Host City
1986 Founded
From the President & CEO

Welcome to Atlanta

August 26, 2026

Dear Colleagues, Chapter Directors, Partners, and Friends of Midnight Basketball,

Allow me this time to personally welcome you to Atlanta on behalf of the national Association of Midnight Basketball. It is a profound honor to gather with all of you in this vibrant city as we celebrate our 40th Anniversary National Program Summit & National Basketball Tournament.

This year marks a momentous milestone — four decades since Dr. G. Van Standifer launched the first Midnight Basketball League Program™ on June 18, 1986 in Glenarden, Maryland. What began as a bold community experiment has grown into a proven national movement that has transformed hundreds of thousands of lives through basketball, mentorship, and life skills programming.

Over these four days, we will celebrate our legacy, strengthen our network, equip our chapter directors with the tools and training to lead the next decade of AMB's expansion, and compete on the court in our National Basketball Tournament. Atlanta — a city of resilience, culture, and community — is the perfect backdrop for this historic gathering.

Our theme, "Knowledge of the Past is the Key to the Future," reminds us that we stand on the shoulders of giants. The work done before us is our foundation — and the work ahead of us is our charge. I look forward to learning with you, celebrating with you, and most importantly, being inspired by you.

Welcome to Atlanta. Welcome home.

Lawrence C. Gray Jr.
President & CEO, Association of Midnight Basketball
Run of Show prepared by Michael H. Steadman — National Director
Aug 26–29, 2026

Full Schedule

Four days of programming, competition, and celebration. Click each day to expand. View the full official Run of Show →

Wed · Aug 26 ⛳ Kick-Off Classic
7:00 AM
Golfer Check-In, Continental Breakfast & Warm-Up
Registration table open · Course preview available · All tournament participants assembled.
Registration
8:00 AM
Welcome, Rules of Play & Group Photo
Opening remarks for tournament participants · Invocation & Send-Off · Transition to course.
Opening
8:30 AM
Charity Golf Tournament
Full round of play · Association staff on course · Kick-Off Classic tournament in play.
Kick-Off Classic
1:30 PM
19th Hole Awards Luncheon
Tournament scoring finalized · Prizes awarded · Tournament recognition and fellowship.
Awards
3:00 PM
Hotel Check-In / Delegate Arrival Window
Welcome information available at hotel · Summit arrivals continue.
6:00 PM
Welcome Mixer
Light fare · Informal introductions · Summit preview · Informal opening fellowship for early arrivals.
Social
Thu · Aug 27 🏛️ Welcome & The City
8:00 AM
Registration & Welcome Lounge Opens
Credential pickup · Summit materials distributed · Delegate check-in throughout the day.
Registration
11:00 AM
Welcome Gathering
Informal delegate assembly · Pre-program networking.
Networking
12:30 PM
Official Opening Ceremony
Formal commencement of the 2026 National Summit.
Ceremony
1:00 PM
Welcome Remarks — Lawrence C. Gray Jr.
President & CEO · Association of Midnight Basketball
Keynote
1:20 PM
Association Tribute / 40th Anniversary Legacy Moment
Commemorating four decades of community impact.
40th Anniversary
1:40 PM
Summit Framing — Michael H. Steadman
National Director · Goals, agenda overview, and summit expectations.
Keynote
2:00 PM
Host City Tour · Atlanta, Georgia
Guided experience of Atlanta, Georgia · Delegate transfer / transportation coordination to City Hall.
City Tour
4:00 PM
Mayor's Office Networking Event · Atlanta City Hall
Hosted by Mayor's Office · Welcome from City of Atlanta · Civic-Association Bridging Remarks by Ramondo Davidson — Georgia State Director & Senior Advisor to the Mayor.
Civic
5:00 PM
Press Conference · City Hall Press Room
Media opportunity · Press credentials required.
Media
6:00 PM
Networking Reception Continues
Civic leaders · Partners · Sponsors · Delegates · Open networking, fellowship, sponsor engagement.
Networking
Fri · Aug 28 🏀 The Association
9:30 AM
Arrival & Seating
Morning assembly · AV and room setup confirmed.
10:00 AM
Meet & Greet with City Officials
Invited city officials · Relationship-building session · Welcome engagement.
Civic
11:00 AM
Speakers & Testimonials from Alumni
Alumni voices · Program reflections · Association impact stories.
Featured
12:30 PM
Luncheon
Midday fellowship · Hosted meal · Sponsor recognition opportunity.
Lunch
2:00 PM
Workshops & Professional Development
Professional development · Association programming tracks · Multiple tracks available.
Sessions
5:00 PM
Basketball Games
Friday evening Association competition · All delegates welcome.
Games
8:00 PM
Adjourn for the Evening
Informal fellowship continues as scheduled.
Sat · Aug 29 🎶 Love From Afar & Closing Celebration
8:00 AM
Morning Arrival & Assembly
Final day delegate check-in · Final day materials.
8:30 AM
Opening Framing for Love From Afar
Led by Dr. Cynthia Williams — Event Producer & Love From Afar Curator · Sets the tone and context for the immersive morning.
Signature
9:00 AM
Love From Afar Programming
Immersive morning experience · Curated by Dr. Cynthia Williams · Signature programming — full immersive experience through 12:00 PM.
Signature
12:00 PM
Midday Break / Lunch Transition
Reset before afternoon games · Networking opportunity.
1:00 PM
Day of Games
Afternoon basketball programming · Championship / exhibition play through 5:00 PM.
Games
5:00 PM
Closing Ceremony
Final summit recognition · Closing remarks · Acknowledgments.
Ceremony
6:00 PM
Music & Food Celebration
Live music · Catered celebration · 40th Anniversary toast · Closing fellowship and community celebration.
Celebration
8:00 PM
Official Summit Adjournment
End of 2026 AMB National Summit · Safe travels to all delegates.
Closing
Official Run of Show Document
Full detailed schedule with all times, program elements, and notes — prepared by National Director Michael H. Steadman.
View Full Run of Show
Logistics

Venue & Travel

Everything you need to plan your trip to Atlanta for the 40th Anniversary Summit.

Host City

Atlanta, Georgia
Host Chapter: Atlanta MBL
Venue details TBA — check back for hotel block information.

Fly Into Atlanta

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) — the world's busiest airport, with direct flights from most U.S. cities.

Hotel Block

A discounted AMB group hotel rate will be available. Details and booking link will be distributed to registered attendees closer to the event.

Tournament Venue

National Basketball Tournament games hosted at a local Atlanta recreation facility. Tournament bracket and gym address provided at check-in.

Dress Code

Summit sessions: Business casual.
Welcome reception: Smart casual.
Anniversary Gala (Aug 28): Black tie optional.

Registration

Opens at 12:00 PM on August 26 at the host hotel. All attendees must be pre-registered. Registration link coming soon via chapter portal.

Registration Open

Register for the 2026 Summit

Open to chapter directors, staff, national partners, alumni, and community guests. Registration takes less than 2 minutes.

AMB 40th Anniversary · Aug 26–29, 2026 · Atlanta, GA
National Summit & Tournament — Official Registration
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