A Love Letter to the Bay: The 18th Annual All-Star Gospel Celebration Draws Capacity Crowd for an Unforgettable Night
The Californer/10305834

BERKELEY, Calif. - Californer -- The 18th Annual All-Star Gospel Celebration (ASGC) was a resounding success, filling the venue with notable figures and attendees from afar. Themed "A Love Letter to the Bay," the event highlighted the profound impact of faith and community on the lives of NBA stars, legends, and local heroes during a memorable evening at the beautiful CIEL Creative Space in Berkeley, CA. Despite the Northern California rain, the spirit of the event remained undeterred.

Co-hosted by former NBA player Maurice "MO" Evans and National Basketball Wives Association (NBWA) member Dru Evans, the celebration upheld its status as the premier gospel event of NBA All-Star weekend. The evening showcased performances from a diverse lineup of artists, including comedian J-Red, Motown Gospel's Ariel Fitz-Patrick, GRAMMY®-nominated soul singer MAJOR., acclaimed saxophonist Angella Christie, hip-hop artist Miles Minnick, and Stellar Award winner Lena Byrd Miles.

The evening's highlight was the 2025 Slam Dunk Honors presentation, which recognized individuals for their outstanding contributions on and off the court. NBA Hall of Famer Gary Payton received the 2025 Slam Dunk Off-the-Court Award and shared heartfelt reflections on the importance of faith and community service. He emphasized his roots, stating, "I grew up in church and attend every Sunday," and concluded with, "People think we just get here and have talent. Don't believe that. God had a lot to do with that."

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Legendary NBA champion Elvin Hayes accepted the 2025 Slam Dunk Living Legend Award. He inspired attendees with his insights on legacy and service, noting, "…the most important thing this week is that we will be honoring God. He carried me through 16 years of NBA seasons."

Kevon Looney, Golden State Warriors forward and 3X NBA Champion received the 2025 Slam Dunk Game Changer Award. He expressed gratitude to the NBA Chaplains for helping him through challenging times, sharing, "My mom and dad's prayers got me here. I pray for myself and my teammates and thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

Lastly, Ay'Anna Moody, Senior Director of Social Impact for the Warriors Foundation, was honored with the 2025 Slam Dunk Community Service Award, recognizing her dedication to uplifting the community.

Local heroes were honored for their outstanding contributions to the community. Pastor Mike McBride of Live Free USA, who moved mountains to ensure ASGC shined, and community advocate Mistah. F.A.B., Taylor Jay of Taylor Jay Collections, and Steve Hagler of LearnUP. Additionally, Cecilia Capers Apelin, CEO and founder of CIEL Creative Spaces, was awarded for her significant contributions.

Tomeka Holyfield, the creator and executive producer of ASGC, expressed, "Berkeley, California, truly exceeded our hopes and dreams. Each year, the All-Star Gospel Celebration shines a light on the profound power of faith in our lives. We are honored to celebrate the remarkable achievements of others by sharing their uplifting stories of faith and community service."

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As a prelude to the awards, Live Free USA organized a "Dear Community," panel discussion addressing pressing community issues and exploring solutions. "Our Dear Community panel afforded local leaders a voice to describe the unique intersection of Bay Area sports, culture, and activism which fuels peacemaking and positive change for so many of us who live here," said Pastor Michael McBride, Executive Director of LIVE FREE USA.

Jeffrey Church, CEO of Visit Berkeley, added, "Berkeley is a beacon of light and inclusivity, and bringing such a diverse group together during a celebration of the Bay Area highlights the heart of our city. Visit Berkeley is proud to have been part of an event that uplifts and connects us."

The 18th Annual All-Star Gospel Celebration further solidified its reputation as a must-attend event during NBA All-Star weekend!

Partners Shoulder Up, Live Free USA, Visit Berkely, Becker Boards, and California Black Freedom Fund supported the event.

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