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Share on FacebookChris Webber’s "Bada Bling" Celebrity Weekend in Vegas a Hit
Philadelphia 76ers player and 5-time NBA All Star Chris
Webber successfully hosted his inaugural C-Webb’s “Bada Bling” Celebrity Weekend in Las
Vegas, NV. The series of events took place July 28-30, 2006 at Caesars Palace, Body English at
the Hard Rock Hotel and Cascata Golf Club. The funds raised throughout the weekend benefited
The Chris Webber Foundation and Webber’s philanthropic efforts in various communities.
The charity weekend event attracted over 60 celebrities including; Nas, Kelis, Tracee Ellis-Ross, Regina King, Alimi Ballard (CBS Numbers), Miguel Ferrer (Crossing Jordan), Keshia Knight Pulliam, Salli Richardson, Dondre Whitfield, Finesse Mitchell (Saturday Night Live), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Maurice Cheeks, Henry Bibby, Scot Pollard, Moses Malone, Doug and Jackie Christie, Vlade Divac, Ricky Davis, Emeka Okafor, Michael Bradley, Kyle Korver, Brian Shaw, Matt Barnes, Jerry Stackhouse, Shavlik Randolph, Tamiko Nash (Ms. California), Elise Neal, Lil’Mo, Mari Marrow, Fab Fivers Juwan Howard, Jimmy King and Head Coach Steve Fisher, Maurice Greene (Olympic Gold Medalist), Brett Hankins (World Hunting Organization), Claudia Jordan (Deal or No Deal), Matthew Jordan Smith (Photographer), Marshall Faulk, Thelma Houston, Mark Curry, Common, Talib, Raphael Saadiq, Teena Marie and others.
“This was an opportunity for us to give back and have fun doing it,” Webber stated. “Personally, I feel honored by the great response from my celebrity friends, NBA players and fans who joined me in Vegas to participate and support our efforts."
The weekend consisted of a “Welcome Party” hosted at Body English at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino with guest musical appearances by Common and Talib. Saturday’s activities included a celebrity Poker Tournament presented by JetDirect at Caesars Palace Main Poker Room won by Ms. California. The main event, “The Soiree!” cocktail reception, and live auction, occurred in the evening at the Caesars Palace Ballroom with hosts Chris Webber and comedian Mark Curry and featured musical performances from Grammy Award winning artist Raphael Saadiq and legendary soulstress Teena Marie. The weekend’s live auction featured items included: a walk on role on the TV show Everybody Hates Chris donated by Chris Rock, lunch on set with Alimi Ballard of CBS Numbers donated by Alimi Ballard & Miquel Ferrer (Crossing Jordan), three hours with Grammy Award winning producer Babyface in his private studio producing your own tract, his and her “bling” watches donated by Leor and The Jewelers of Las Vegas and an eight hour party on water on your own private yacht for fifty people donated by Tom Gonzales and DSE. A Celebrity Golf Challenge won by Dondre Whitfield took place on Sunday at Cascata Golf Club.
The weekend’s activities would not be possible without the generous support of Caesars Palace, JetDirect, Rover TV, Tin Lab, Montrose Travel, Southwest Airlines, Body English, Nouvelle Roux, Bling H2O and EdgeTech.
Webber created “The Chris Webber Foundation,” a public nonprofit corporation, in 1993 in his hometown of Detroit, Michigan. The Foundation's mission is to provide positive educational and recreational opportunities to youth, particularly those who are disadvantaged. Central to that mission are four educational objectives: 1) to encourage and motivate children to read, 2) to help children develop the foundational skills they need to become good readers 3) to distribute books to children and encourage them to start home libraries and 4) to provide reading instruction for parents in family literacy programs. Over the years, The Webber Foundation has provided academic scholarships, educational incentives, books, special events, field trips, tickets, toys, clothes and more to families across the country.
The Detroit, MI native is an owner in the development company, Maktub LLC, focusing on redevelopment efforts in Chicago, IL and Detroit, MI. In January 2006, he announced his partnership with Dudum Sports & Entertainment to open 10 family themed restaurants called “Center Court.” The first is scheduled to open in Sacramento, CA with Las Vegas, Phoenix, Austin and Los Angeles to follow. Webber is also an investor in a film project led by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, On the Shoulders of Giants. The documentary celebrates the accomplishments and contributions of the Harlem Rens and Jazz. The film’s other collaborators include Spike Lee, Herbie Hancock, Magic Johnson, Grant Hill and Stephon Marbury. Webber serves on the National Advisory Council of the Make A Wish Foundation and has been recognized by the NBA and California Black Caucus for his contributions to the community. He also owns a small but significant collection of African artifacts and documents which are displayed to the public through a national exhibit tour. This event continues Chris Webber’s ongoing commitment to compete and succeed in the realms of sport, philanthropy and business.
The charity weekend event attracted over 60 celebrities including; Nas, Kelis, Tracee Ellis-Ross, Regina King, Alimi Ballard (CBS Numbers), Miguel Ferrer (Crossing Jordan), Keshia Knight Pulliam, Salli Richardson, Dondre Whitfield, Finesse Mitchell (Saturday Night Live), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Maurice Cheeks, Henry Bibby, Scot Pollard, Moses Malone, Doug and Jackie Christie, Vlade Divac, Ricky Davis, Emeka Okafor, Michael Bradley, Kyle Korver, Brian Shaw, Matt Barnes, Jerry Stackhouse, Shavlik Randolph, Tamiko Nash (Ms. California), Elise Neal, Lil’Mo, Mari Marrow, Fab Fivers Juwan Howard, Jimmy King and Head Coach Steve Fisher, Maurice Greene (Olympic Gold Medalist), Brett Hankins (World Hunting Organization), Claudia Jordan (Deal or No Deal), Matthew Jordan Smith (Photographer), Marshall Faulk, Thelma Houston, Mark Curry, Common, Talib, Raphael Saadiq, Teena Marie and others.
“This was an opportunity for us to give back and have fun doing it,” Webber stated. “Personally, I feel honored by the great response from my celebrity friends, NBA players and fans who joined me in Vegas to participate and support our efforts."
The weekend consisted of a “Welcome Party” hosted at Body English at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino with guest musical appearances by Common and Talib. Saturday’s activities included a celebrity Poker Tournament presented by JetDirect at Caesars Palace Main Poker Room won by Ms. California. The main event, “The Soiree!” cocktail reception, and live auction, occurred in the evening at the Caesars Palace Ballroom with hosts Chris Webber and comedian Mark Curry and featured musical performances from Grammy Award winning artist Raphael Saadiq and legendary soulstress Teena Marie. The weekend’s live auction featured items included: a walk on role on the TV show Everybody Hates Chris donated by Chris Rock, lunch on set with Alimi Ballard of CBS Numbers donated by Alimi Ballard & Miquel Ferrer (Crossing Jordan), three hours with Grammy Award winning producer Babyface in his private studio producing your own tract, his and her “bling” watches donated by Leor and The Jewelers of Las Vegas and an eight hour party on water on your own private yacht for fifty people donated by Tom Gonzales and DSE. A Celebrity Golf Challenge won by Dondre Whitfield took place on Sunday at Cascata Golf Club.
The weekend’s activities would not be possible without the generous support of Caesars Palace, JetDirect, Rover TV, Tin Lab, Montrose Travel, Southwest Airlines, Body English, Nouvelle Roux, Bling H2O and EdgeTech.
Webber created “The Chris Webber Foundation,” a public nonprofit corporation, in 1993 in his hometown of Detroit, Michigan. The Foundation's mission is to provide positive educational and recreational opportunities to youth, particularly those who are disadvantaged. Central to that mission are four educational objectives: 1) to encourage and motivate children to read, 2) to help children develop the foundational skills they need to become good readers 3) to distribute books to children and encourage them to start home libraries and 4) to provide reading instruction for parents in family literacy programs. Over the years, The Webber Foundation has provided academic scholarships, educational incentives, books, special events, field trips, tickets, toys, clothes and more to families across the country.
The Detroit, MI native is an owner in the development company, Maktub LLC, focusing on redevelopment efforts in Chicago, IL and Detroit, MI. In January 2006, he announced his partnership with Dudum Sports & Entertainment to open 10 family themed restaurants called “Center Court.” The first is scheduled to open in Sacramento, CA with Las Vegas, Phoenix, Austin and Los Angeles to follow. Webber is also an investor in a film project led by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, On the Shoulders of Giants. The documentary celebrates the accomplishments and contributions of the Harlem Rens and Jazz. The film’s other collaborators include Spike Lee, Herbie Hancock, Magic Johnson, Grant Hill and Stephon Marbury. Webber serves on the National Advisory Council of the Make A Wish Foundation and has been recognized by the NBA and California Black Caucus for his contributions to the community. He also owns a small but significant collection of African artifacts and documents which are displayed to the public through a national exhibit tour. This event continues Chris Webber’s ongoing commitment to compete and succeed in the realms of sport, philanthropy and business.
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