Power Source: Alonzo Mourning “Serendipity”

by WL Author April 22, 2010

written by WL Author April 22, 2010

The impact that Alonzo Mourning left on Washington DC during his career as a Georgetown Hoya is unmistakably phenomenal; and has continued to manifest extraordinary regard and respect.

By Adoria Doucette

Philanthropist & Georgetown University Graduate Alonzo Mourning with Stacie Scott Turner

For the past 13 years, Alonzo Mourning has led the Alonzo Mourning Charities through a myriad of successful fundraising events, mentoring programs and community outreach efforts aimed at creating opportunities for talented young people while helping sustain children and families that are living in varied adverse economic and social conditions.

Mr. Mourning’s life beyond basketball is remarkable. He and his wife Tracy travel the world with purpose using their financial and cultural influence to ignite passionate work and meaningful results. On Thursday April 15^th at the Renaissance Washington Dupont Circle Hotel, Alonzo brought together prominent Washingtonians of the artistic community to showcase two of the world’s most celebrated artists Alonzo Adams and Ben Sivells. Proceeds benefited the humanitarian work that Alonzo has spearheaded to support Project Medishare which operates numerous medical operations on the ground in the devastated communities of Haiti. The preeminent patrons of the DC community that encourage expansion of the arts served as the host committee for the event titled “Seredipity”: Director of the Smithsonian Museum of African Art Dr. Johnetta Cole, Peggy Cooper-Cafritz, Yeleberton Watkins, Leon Harris, Tanya Lombard and Charisse Jackson Jordan. The event was organized by Aba Kwawu of the Aba Agency.

[vimeo]http://www.vimeo.com/11100459[/vimeo]

The art of Alonzo Adams needs no introduction to knowledgeable collectors as his work is considered to be a coveted treasure of the private collections of cultural luminaries Dr. William Cosby, Maya Angelou and Alonzo and Tracy Mourning themselves. Ben Sivells shares his birthplace of Virginia with Alonzo and is a widely cherished artist around the world for his original works with natural stone. Alonzo Mourning’s advancement of the arts by showcasing these artists to benefit the most pressing global charities blocks away from his college alma mater is the embodiment of a purposeful power move. Special guests of the event included the parents of the District’s Mayor Adrian Fenty, Georgetown University basketball coach and his wife John and Monica Thompson , Chief of Staff of The Honorable James E. Clyburn Yebbie Watkins, , CNN‘s April Holmes, Renaissance Hotel GM Matt Felix, and West End Travel President Vivianne Pommier. Power Source has watched Alzonzo develop into an excellent professional, father, husband and humanitarian. With a Hall of Fame worthy college and 16 year professional basketball career that eventually culminated into a World Championship, the priceless tenets of the Georgetown Hoya academic education are expanding to new heights through Alonzo’s pioneering impact with his foundation.

At 39, Alonzo is still young, and his greatest impact on the world is yet to come. As Washingtonians we should be proud that the Georgetown embodiment of Utraque Unum was having a meaningful influence on Alonzo’s character and mind as he matriculated through Georgetown. Through the guidance and mentoring of coach John Thompson, Alonzo Mourning is a shining example that we can all pursue and attain our dreams beyond measure. Alonzo consistently displays a firm commitment to community development through his philanthropy. The Miami–Dade School Board honored Alonzo and his wife by naming a high school after them, Alonzo and Tracy Mourning Sr. High Biscayne Bay Campus. Power Source salutes Mr. Mourning, his family and professional network for helping to shape a more positive future – I look forward to Alonzo conquering even larger horizons.