Alonzo Mourning, a basketball player for the Miami Heat, held the 11th annual Zo’s Summer Groove. The event was held over five days and began with basketball clinics. The event also included a golf tournament on Thursday, and a comedy show, benefit dinner, block party and all-star basketball game held over the weekend Mourning’s goals are to assist at-risk kids in getting off the streets and into after school programs that are enriching and rewarding. He also hopes to give them opportunities to learn about art and sports and to help them aim higher, to attend high school and graduate from college.
The event included celebrities such as rapper T.I., Mike Epps formerly from Def Comedy Jam, Dwayne Wade (another Miami Heat player) and actress Gabrielle Union.
The comedy show and concert were held at the Hard Rock Live Arena at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood. Comedians included Katt Williams, Marvin Dixon, Benji Brown and Gary Owen.
The Publix ZSG Benefit Dinner and Auction was held at the Intercontinental Hotel in Miami. The auction included a personal meeting with the Miami Heat coach Pat Riley, a kids’ birthday party with Dwayne Wade and custom art by David ‘LEBO’ Le Batard.
The Volkswagen ZSG Block Party was held at the American Airlines Arena in Miami. The event included music, food, rides and entertainment. Miami DJs entertained the crowd. The Carnival Cruise Lines ZSG All-Star Basketball Game was also held at the American Airlines Arena inMiami. It featured top NBA players such as Damien Wilkins from Seattle, Mike James fromHouston and Antawn Jamison from D.C.
An important event of the week is Saturday’s Youth Summit. This all-day long event includes activities and “rap” sessions where at-risk youth can ask questions of celebrities such as Mourning.
The first Zo’s Summer Grove was held in 1997. This year’s event is anticipated to raise $1 million dollars.
