I was recently blessed to be able to attend a charity basketball game in Paris, France. I was then motivated to come back to the states and seek out the philanthropic work of those in America who strive to do the same.
Being a Chicago native, I can attest to the fact that major parts of the city are plagued with crime, gang and gun violence. Inner city youth need an outlet such as sports to prevent them from being a product of their environment. I am the oldest of 4, and unfortunately in my childhood, I never really had the support of my parents in any extracurricular activities -- I always found myself, self-motivated. It makes my heart smile hearing of mothers supporting their children, especially inner city youth.
Initially, when the Basketball Mom Apparel featuring Hooplyfe fashion show, hosted by Tami Roman, came across my desk, I was going to send members of my team (along with Ksblissmedia) to cover it. It was not until I read the press kit, and noticed the awe-inspiring story behind the founder, Nikki Burnett, that piqued my interest to fly from NYC and attend myself.
Nikki Burnett is invested in not only her sons academic career but also his athletic one. Amongst a strenuous work schedule, Nikki found that in traveling to his basketball games, she realized she also wanted to look great. Nikki found a creative way to combine her passion for fashion, along with spending quality time with her son. She turned this idea into a successful business, but not forgetting to give back through Hooplyfe -- that promotes and supports athletes through youth, high school, and professional careers, both through athletics and academics. This all really hit home for me!
Being a Chicago native, I can attest to the fact that major parts of the city are plagued with crime, gang and gun violence. Inner city youth need an outlet such as sports to prevent them from being a product of their environment. I am the oldest of 4, and unfortunately in my childhood, I never really had the support of my parents in any extracurricular activities -- I always found myself, self-motivated. It makes my heart smile hearing of mothers supporting their children, especially inner city youth.
Initially, when the Basketball Mom Apparel featuring Hooplyfe fashion show, hosted by Tami Roman, came across my desk, I was going to send members of my team (along with Ksblissmedia) to cover it. It was not until I read the press kit, and noticed the awe-inspiring story behind the founder, Nikki Burnett, that piqued my interest to fly from NYC and attend myself.
Nikki Burnett is invested in not only her sons academic career but also his athletic one. Amongst a strenuous work schedule, Nikki found that in traveling to his basketball games, she realized she also wanted to look great. Nikki found a creative way to combine her passion for fashion, along with spending quality time with her son. She turned this idea into a successful business, but not forgetting to give back through Hooplyfe -- that promotes and supports athletes through youth, high school, and professional careers, both through athletics and academics. This all really hit home for me!
(Left to Right: Nikki Burnett, Tami Roman)
BEFORE THE SHOW: The society art gallery was a creative event space, and I was greeted by two staff members, given a press pass and directed to the designated seating area. Slowly bloggers and eventually patrons filed in, quickly padding the quaint event space.
Polite staff passed hors d'oeuvres, and light alcoholic beverages, which was sponsored by St. Clair Vodka. A tall, gregarious woman, resembling a model herself, was going from seat to seat, and table to table greeting everyone, making sure they were enjoying themselves and ready for the show. I came to discover this was the publicist for the event, Jennifer Day. This fact significant because usually corresponding through email doesn't give a true idea of what people are like. She was quite polite and definitely got the entire crowd pumped up and ready for the show. A true delight and great addition to make this event come to fruition.
(Left to Right: LB, Jennifer Day, Cortri)
DJ 8Ball, played smooth grooves, mixing 90's R&B jams, slowly fusing them into modern day remakes, wooing the audience, doing it so effortlessly, the crowd not realizing there was at least a 2 hour interim before showtime.
(DJ 8Ball, Model & DJ Paris, & Kari Mari)
Shortly before the show commenced, it was time for media to get interviews with Tami Roman. AJ Linton, was the Media Relations Coordinator, and had to direct a group of at least twenty cameras, magazine crew and bloggers, all rushing to snap photos and get questions with Tami. She handled the chaos eloquently by quickly organizing everyone, limiting talent inquiries. Having thrown major events in Chicago myself, I was highly impressed by her professional acumen.
( Media Relations: AJ Linton)
I had the pleasure of partying a bit with Tami in the Bahamas last year, so I already knew what an intrinsically great and down to earth person she was. A contributing media correspondent to D'Nero Group, Kari Mari, was amongst the first to interview her, and after doting each other with compliments, Tami expressed how this event was dear to her, having a daughter who has been a basketball player since childhood.
(Tami Roman & William Nero)
SHOWTIME:
Tami Roman, who has made her mark on television, hosted without the pretension and arrogance that sometimes comes along with working in entertainment. Tami started off the show with switching up the usual basketball music of pomp and circumstance, asking DJ 8Ball to give her a nice beat to dance to. She strutted up and down the runway in white leggings, a black top, white & black stiletto heels, resembling a goddess & fashion model herself. She laughed at herself with the eager crowd, making everyone feel comfortable.
The runway portion, curated with Cortri Trotter Productions (a delight to meet as well), began and the models entered the runway, one, sometimes two at a time. The male and female models sometimes used a basketball as their prop, not only strutting professionally down the runway, but playfully interacting with each other, engaging audience members. I attend a lot of NBA games myself, and noticed how closely the older models resembled professional ball players. I also noticed passion and confidence in the child models, who aspire to be professional one day.
(Model: Jukie)
(Runway models: Bella & Ameera)
(Models & Hoopers: Justin & Christin)
The show wrapped with Nikki Burnett, personalizing thank you's to the people who helped developed this great production, including introducing the audience to her biggest inspiration, her son.
REVIEW: The fashion show was short and to the point, which was great. The apparel line was a combination of athletic, flirty, fun, and fashionable. One critique would be to perhaps next time give media assigned tables, as my colleague Lisa Scott (Chicago Defender) and members of D'Nero Group were sometimes standing during the course of the night -- our table was bombarded by a couple of presumptuous bloggers. That was a bit unpleasant. The area also felt a bit cramped at times. Other than that, things were good.
(Lisa Scott & William Nero)
I work with many entertainers and it is great to have a relationship with the talent. Usually they come in for the mere 2 hours (at best) stated in the contract with a large arrogant entourage, and do little to appease the crowd. Tami Roman stayed until well after the end of the event to pose for photos, also encouraging everyone to come party with her at the afterparty at SawTooth, in Chicago's' west loop.
Nikki is not only beautiful on the outside, but even more so on the inside.What a way to give back to the community, by establishing an apparel line that helps to fund the futures and dreams of Chicago's youth, along with bringing in talent that is just as passionate about your cause. Great job Nikki!
William Nero
CEO, D'Nero Group
Twitter:@dnerogroup
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