Susan Lucci, star of “Devious Maids,” Emmy® award-winner for “All My Children,” New York Times best-selling author and entrepreneur; Tim Morehouse, Olympic Medalist, Fencing, & Founder, Fencing in the Schools; Dr. Gary A. Puckrein, President and Chief Executive Officer, National Minority Quality Forum; Ivan D. Smith, Partner, Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP; and Dr. John F. Williams, President, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, were each be honored at Sports Ball with the Leadership Award. Biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca is also being honored for their global commitment to health and well-being.

Dean Meminger, NY1 News Host and Cheryl Wills, award winning NY1 News Anchor and author, hosted the gala.

“Our 21st annual gala is a milestone occasion and we are honored to celebrate it by honoring the legacy of our founder Arthur Ashe – the late tennis champion and humanitarian,” says Ruth C. Browne, CEO of The Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health. “Like Arthur, each of our honorees is a trailblazer and they exemplify his commitment to making the world a healthier and more equitable place.”

The funds raised at Sports Ball support the Institute’s innovative community health education programs and research initiatives. Arthur Ashe founded the Institute in 1992, in partnership with SUNY Downstate Medical Center, just two months before his death from AIDS and in response to the disproportionate amount of illness and death in urban communities from preventable causes. Arthur knew that many diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension, are the result of inadequate health care delivery, late detection and insufficient health education.

Leading sponsors for Sports Ball 2015 include American Express, AstraZeneca, BNY Mellon, Healthfirst, Korn Ferry, MetLife and SUNY Downstate Medical Center. Each guest will receive a pair of Reebok sneakers compliments of the Institute. The evening includes interactive games, dinner, dancing, entertainment, an awards ceremony, and a silent auction.

World Liberty TV,Team was on hand for the 6th time in covering this wonderful gala, see what Ruth C. Browne, CEO of The Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health had to say to our World Liberty TV, Humanitarian Channel .

Public Relation was handled by the” Legendary” James Grant Public Relations, (JGPR).