Day One · Thursday, August 27, 2026
Kick-Off Classic, Welcome & The City
Charity Golf Tournament · Official Opening · Atlanta City Hall Reception
⛳ Kick-Off
Classic
Classic
| Time | Program Element | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00 AM– 8:00 AM | Golfer Check-In, Continental Breakfast & Warm-Up Arrival, registration, networking |
Arrival, registration, networking |
| 8:00 AM– 8:15 AM | Welcome, Rules of Play & Group Photo Opening Opening remarks for tournament participants |
Opening remarks for tournament participants |
| 8:15 AM– 8:30 AM | Invocation & Send-Off Transition to course |
Transition to course |
| 8:30 AM– 1:30 PM | Charity Golf Tournament Kick-Off Classic Full round of play · Association staff on course |
Kick-Off Classic |
| 1:30 PM– 3:00 PM | 19th Hole Awards Luncheon Awards Tournament scoring finalized · Prizes awarded |
Tournament recognition and fellowship |
| 3:00 PM– 4:00 PM | Registration & Welcome Lounge Open Delegate arrival and check-in window |
Delegate arrival and check-in window |
| 4:00 PM– 4:20 PM | Official Opening Ceremony Ceremony Formal commencement of the 2026 National Summit |
Summit opening |
| 4:20 PM– 4:35 PM | Welcome Remarks Keynote Lawrence C. Gray Jr. — President & CEO |
Lawrence C. Gray Jr., President & CEO |
| 4:35 PM– 4:50 PM | Association Tribute / Legacy Moment 40th Anniversary Commemorating four decades of community impact |
40th Anniversary recognition |
| 4:50 PM– 5:00 PM | Summit Framing Keynote Michael H. Steadman — National Director |
Michael H. Steadman, National Director |
| 5:00 PM– 5:45 PM | Host City Spotlight / Atlanta Welcome Condensed city welcome and host framing |
Condensed city welcome and host framing |
| 5:45 PM– 6:00 PM | Civic-Association Bridging Remarks Civic Ramondo Davidson — Georgia State Director & Senior Advisor to the Mayor of Atlanta |
Ramondo Davidson |
| 6:00 PM– 6:30 PM | Press Conference Media Atlanta City Hall Press Room or designated venue |
Atlanta City Hall Press Room or designated venue |
| 6:30 PM– 8:00 PM | Mayor's Office Networking Event Civic Atlanta civic leaders · Sponsors · Delegates |
Atlanta civic leaders, sponsors, delegates |
Day Two · Friday, August 28, 2026
The Association
Board Meeting · History · Alumni · Chapter Meetings · 40th Anniversary Awards Dinner
🏀 The
Association
Association
| Time | Program Element | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 AM– 9:30 AM | Board of Directors Meeting Closed Board members only |
Closed session — Board members only |
| 9:30 AM– 10:00 AM | Arrival & Seating General delegate assembly |
General delegate assembly |
| 10:00 AM– 11:00 AM | Meet & Greet with City Officials Civic Invited city officials · Relationship-building session |
Welcome engagement and relationship building |
| 11:00 AM– 11:30 AM | The History of Midnight Basketball 40th Anniversary 40-year journey, founding vision, and legacy |
40-year journey, founding vision, and legacy |
| 11:30 AM– 12:30 PM | Speakers & Testimonials from Alumni Featured Alumni voices · Program reflections · Association impact stories |
Featured voices, alumni reflections, Association impact |
| 12:30 PM– 2:00 PM | Luncheon Midday fellowship · Hosted meal |
Midday fellowship and hosted meal |
| 2:00 PM– 3:15 PM | Chapter Directors Meeting Closed Current Chapter Directors — closed working session |
Closed working session — current Chapter Directors |
| 2:00 PM– 3:15 PM | Prospective Chapter Q&A Session Concurrent Interested cities and new chapter inquiries |
Concurrent — interested cities and new chapter inquiries |
| 3:15 PM– 5:15 PM | Partner Meetings / Reset Window Networking · Private meetings · Dinner preparation |
Networking, private meetings, dinner preparation |
| 5:30 PM– 6:00 PM | Dinner Reception Arrivals & Cocktail Hour Awards Dinner Guests welcomed · Seating begins |
Awards Dinner & Reception begins earlier |
| 6:00 PM– 8:30 PM | 40th Anniversary Awards Dinner & Reception Signature See Awards & Honors section below |
Featured Summit segment |
🏆
40th Anniversary Awards Dinner & Reception
Friday, August 28 · 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM · Signature Evening of the National Summit
The 40th Anniversary Awards Dinner & Reception is the signature evening of the National Summit. This dedicated program honors the people, chapters, partners, and cities whose service has carried the Association of Midnight Basketball through four decades of impact. Awards are presented in a formal program setting with dinner, recognition, and reflection on the legacy and future of the work.
Program Flow
| Time | Program Element | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 5:30 PM– 6:00 PM | Arrivals, Reception & Cocktail Hour Guests welcomed · Seating begins |
Guests welcomed, seating begins |
| 6:00 PM– 6:10 PM | Welcome & Invocation Opening Master of Ceremonies opens the program |
Master of Ceremonies opens the program |
| 6:10 PM– 6:20 PM | Opening Remarks Keynote Lawrence C. Gray Jr. — President & CEO |
Lawrence C. Gray Jr., President & CEO |
| 6:20 PM– 6:30 PM | 40th Anniversary Reflection 40th Anniversary Michael H. Steadman — National Director |
Michael H. Steadman, National Director |
| 6:30 PM– 7:00 PM | Dinner Service Plated dinner · Music underscore |
Plated dinner, music underscore |
| 7:00 PM– 8:00 PM | Awards Presentation Awards Honors presented across all categories |
Honors presented across all categories |
| 8:00 PM– 8:15 PM | President's Award & Special 40th Anniversary Honorees Signature Presented by Lawrence C. Gray Jr. |
Lawrence C. Gray Jr. presents |
| 8:15 PM– 8:30 PM | Closing Acknowledgements, Toast & Group Photo Closing Recognition of staff, sponsors, volunteers |
Recognition of staff, sponsors, volunteers |
Awards & Honors Presented
🏅 Lifetime Achievement / Founder's Legacy Award
Honors an individual whose lifetime of service has shaped the mission and movement of Midnight Basketball.
⭐ 40th Anniversary Honorees / Special Recognitions
Special honors marking the milestone year — legacy contributors, long-standing leaders, and historic chapters.
🏆 Chapter of the Year
Recognizes the chapter demonstrating exceptional programming, partnership, and community impact over the past year.
🎖️ Director of the Year
Honors a Chapter Director whose leadership, consistency, and results stand out across the national network.
🌟 Alumni Impact Award
Celebrates an alumnus or alumna whose life and work reflect the lasting impact of Midnight Basketball.
🤝 Sponsor of the Year
Recognizes a sponsor whose partnership and investment have meaningfully advanced the mission.
🌱 Community Partner Award
Honors a community-based organization whose collaboration has strengthened a chapter or the national network.
🏙️ City Partnership Award
Recognizes a city whose civic leadership has championed Midnight Basketball through meaningful public-private partnership.
💛 Volunteer of the Year
Celebrates a volunteer whose service has been essential to a chapter's success.
🎗️ National Director's Award
Presented by Michael H. Steadman — in recognition of distinguished contribution to the field and the network.
👑 President's Award
Presented by Lawrence C. Gray Jr. — in recognition of extraordinary service, leadership, or impact aligned with the vision of the Association.
Acknowledgements
The closing portion of the Awards Dinner includes formal acknowledgement of those whose support and service made the 40th Anniversary National Summit possible:
- • The Board of Directors of the Association of Midnight Basketball
- • Chapter Directors across the national network
- • Sponsors, donors, and philanthropic partners
- • Civic leaders, city officials, and the City of Atlanta
- • Alumni, mentors, coaches, and program participants
- • Volunteers, summit staff, and production team
- • The founding leadership and legacy contributors of Midnight Basketball
Day Three · Saturday, August 29, 2026
Love From Afar, Games, Workshops & Closing Celebration
Immersive Experience · Day of Games · Concurrent Workshops · Summit Adjournment
🎶 Love
From Afar
From Afar
| Time | Program Element | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 AM– 8:30 AM | Morning Arrival & Assembly Final day delegate check-in · Final day materials |
Delegate check-in for final day |
| 8:30 AM– 9:00 AM | Opening Framing for Love From Afar Signature Led by Dr. Cynthia Williams — Event Producer & Love From Afar Curator |
Sets the tone and context for the immersive morning |
| 9:00 AM– 12:00 PM | Love From Afar Programming Signature Immersive morning experience · Curated by Dr. Cynthia Williams |
Signature programming — full immersive experience |
| 12:00 PM– 1:00 PM | Midday Break / Lunch Transition Reset before afternoon games · Networking opportunity |
Reset before games |
| 1:00 PM– 5:00 PM | Day of Games Games Afternoon basketball programming · Championship / exhibition play |
Afternoon basketball programming |
| 1:30 PM– 3:30 PM | Workshops Concurrent Concurrent with game play · Professional development sessions |
Concurrent with game play |
| 5:00 PM– 6:00 PM | Closing Ceremony Ceremony Final summit recognition · Closing remarks · Acknowledgments |
Final summit recognition and closing remarks |
| 6:00 PM– 8:00 PM | Music and Food Celebration Celebration Live music · Catered celebration · 40th Anniversary toast |
Closing fellowship and community celebration |
| 8:00 PM | Official Summit Adjournment End of 2026 AMB National Summit |
End of National Summit — safe travels to all delegates |