The 2024 Celebrity Softball Showdown and Cars & Superstars event, hosted by the Gwinnett Chamber Foundation, was a day of celebration, entertainment, and community impact, bringing together residents and leaders in support of minority, veteran, and women-owned businesses. The event began with an inspiring Opening Ceremony with the National Anthem, sung by the Buford Middle School choir, followed by remarks from esteemed community philanthropists and the presenting sponsor.
From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., attendees enjoyed food trucks, live entertainment, and the exciting Cars & Superstars Car Show, which attracted a crowd of car enthusiasts. The highlight of the day commenced at 2 p.m. with the highly anticipated Celebrity Softball Showdown, featuring a lineup of well-known personalities such as former NFL quarterback Quincy Carter, collegiate softball standout Kelsey Bennett, and local entrepreneur Marlon Allen, CEO of Ramp Sportswear. Their efforts on the field, along with pre-game festivities, created an exciting atmosphere full of fun, sportsmanship, and community pride.
More than just entertainment, the event aimed to make a difference. All proceeds from both the Cars & Superstars Car Show and the Celebrity Softball Showdown will support the Gwinnett Chamber Foundation’s mission to fund certification programs for small businesses owned by minorities, veterans, and women.
The Foundation collaborates closely with partners such as the Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council, the Veterans Administration, the Small Business Administration, the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, LISC, JP Morgan Chase, and Verizon Small Business. Together, they fund certification programming for Gwinnett’s small business community, assisting entrepreneurs in obtaining certifications such as MBE (Minority Business Enterprise), WOSB (Women-Owned Small Business), VOSB (Veteran-Owned Small Business), and DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise), which provide essential access to growth opportunities.
A special acknowledgment is extended to the sponsors who made this event possible:
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Amazing Energy Solutions
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Challenge to Get Fit
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Metro Waterproofing
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Jackson EMC
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Capital City Home Loans
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City of Lawrenceville
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Clean Spark
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Georgia Power
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Gwinnett County
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Gwinnett County Government
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Little Caesars
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United Community Bank
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Genesis Engineering Collaborative, LLC
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RAMP
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Bianca BB Watkins State Farm
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Capital City Bank
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Change Church
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Georgia Banking Company
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Make a Difference Foundation
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Mighty 8th
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Oconee State Bank
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PrintPro Graphics
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Trustmark Bank
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View Point Health
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Wandaful Herbs
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Accident Professionals
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Aleixy
Their support ensures that the Gwinnett Chamber Foundation can continue its efforts to empower local entrepreneurs and help them thrive through valuable small business certification programs.
