Allen Iverson Appears at Louisville Sneaker Ball to Boost Boys and Girls Clubs Fundraising

Earlier this month, NBA legend Allen Iverson took center stage as the guest speaker at the Louisville Boys and Girls Club’s third annual Sneaker Ball, held at the Norton Healthcare Sports and Learning Center.

The event aimed to support community programs by raising funds for four traditional Boys and Girls Clubs in West Louisville and two new school-based centers at Breckinridge-Franklin and Engelhard Elementary.

The night was marked by significant financial support for youth initiatives. The Justin Thomas Foundation has pledged $1.6 million toward Kentucky’s first mobile Boys and Girls Club, which will provide academic support, career development, and mentorship opportunities to the entire Kentuckiana region. In addition, the gala raised $200,000 for the Boys and Girls Club.

Reflecting on his own challenging upbringing in Virginia, Iverson shared how the Boys and Girls Club helped steer him away from negative influences. “In the rough area that I grew up in, from the time that I got out of school to the time you go outside and play, so many things can happen, so many temptations,” Iverson said. “The Boys and Girls Club was an outlet for me—for that time for me to do something positive.”

Adding to the excitement, an Iverson documentary is in production, led by Shaquille O’Neal’s Jersey Legends and NBA star Stephen Curry’s Unanimous Media. The film, set to debut on Prime Video, will chronicle Iverson’s journey from his early days in Hampton, Virginia, to his rise in the NBA and his lasting impact on the sport.

The event not only celebrated Iverson’s storied career but also highlighted the ongoing efforts to empower youth through sports and education in the Louisville community.