The VIPP Report: Former NBA star, entrepreneur and community activist Derek Anderson announces his AOK All-star weekend

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The Kentucky Derby is not the only time you can see some of the most recognizable faces in sports and entertainment

(Louisville, KY) Louisville native former NCAA & NBA Champion Derek Anderson is taking his Acts of Kindness, (AOK) to another level with his inaugural AOK All-Star Weekend.

Save the dates of July 20th and 21st for a weekend of fun, celebration and of course acts of kindness as the star continues to perform off the court just like he did on it with a slam dunk of opportunities for the entire community to enjoy.

It all takes place in Anderson’s hometown of Louisville, Kentucky as he celebrates his birthday with family and friends.  On Saturday, July 20th it’s the AOK Gala and then on Sunday, July 21st there’s a free picnic and back to school supply giveaway.  Both events will be held at the Majestic Arts Center located at 1535 Lytle Street.

Anderson will welcome friends: actor/singer Tyrese and music mogul Master P as his guests.  Additional names will be announced prior to the celebration.

Derek Anderson says, “The weekend’s events will help support the launch of “Program You,” a program designed to enhance the mindset and support the future of tomorrow’s leaders by teaching life skills and providing scholarships through the Stamina Foundation.  The AOK All-Star Weekend is a celebration of life and compassion for the city I hold dear to my heart.  There’s nothing like home. Come out have fun and know that you are helping youth reach their ultimate potential.”

Individual tickets are $50 and couples $75.  You can purchase them at www.StaminaFD.com.  To be a sponsor and/or purchase a table contact us at AOK@staminafd.com.

If you would like to setup an interview Anderson, please contact Sherlene Shanklin at sshanklin@vippcommunications.com or by phone at 502-295-0435.

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vippnewlogoVIPP Communications is a full service public relations, event management and production firm headquartered in Louisville, KY with clients and/or projects all over the U.S. We can create, maintain and sustain your brand.  Our clientele range from small businesses, non-profits, corporate leaders, entertainment to current and retired professional athletes.  Contact one of our team members to see if we can assist you at info at vippcommunications dot com.  http://vippcommunications.com

The VIPP Report: Former UK and NFL player Jared Lorenzen teams up with Rajon Rondo Foundation, Kroger and Now Let’s Get Fit Foundation for Health and Wellness Tour

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Louisville/Lexington (May 7, 2019) Former NFL Quarterback and University of Kentucky Hall of Famer, Jared Lorenzen has teamed with the Now Let’s Get Fit Foundation, Kroger and the Rajon Rondo Foundation for the 2019 Kentucky Health and Wellness Tour.

The tour will kick off Saturday May 18 at Kroger locations in Louisville at 12501 Shelbyville Rd, Louisville Middletown store.

The next day Sunday May 19 will be in Lexington Kroger at 3101 Richmond Rd location.

Both events are from noon-4:00 pm.

Let’s Get Fit Foundation’s mission is to combat obesity and instill Health and Wellness through Fitness and Nutrition. Each event is family friendly, Free to the public and includes fitness classes, nutrition stations, health screenings (for obesity related illness), kid zone activities and giveaways. Jared Lorenzen along with other former local athletes will be in attendance and participating.

“I want to show everyone that it’s never too early or too late to start the journey towards health. I want people to know that if I can do it then you can do it. My goal is to use the tour to put a face to obesity. Each event is a platform that everyone can join, have fun, feel safe to express themselves, get the inspiration and answers on health and wellness they need to make the change in their life.”  Jared Lorenzen.

Prior to Jared’s journey he had reached 500 lbs.  In the last year, he has lost 100 lbs. and counting.  Jared understood that he had to admit that there was an issue and then he got busy to get it.  We invite you to meet Jared and fitness professionals that can show you techniques that can help you and your entire family get fit.

Sponsors for the event are Kroger, Optup, Powerade Zero, Core Power, Rajon Rondo Foundation, The Little Clinic and Planet Mogul. The tour will extend to other locations in Louisville, Lexington and surrounding areas the remainder of 2019.

To learn more follow https://www.facebook.com/TheJaredLorenzenProject/ visit and sign up for Fitness Classes at http://www.nowletsgetfit.eventbrite.com or contact Anthony Holt @aholt@nowletsgetfit.com or call 323.365.3371

If you would like to setup an interview with Jared Lorenzen and/or other team members, please contact Sherlene Shanklin at sshanklin@vippcommunications.com or by phone at 502-295-0435.

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vippnewlogoVIPP Communications is a full service public relations, event    mgmt & production firm  headquartered in Louisville, KY with clients and/or projects all over the U.S. We can create, maintain and sustain your brand.  Our clientele range from small businesses, non-profits, corporate leaders, entertainment to current and retired professional athletes.  Contact one of our team members to see if we can assist you at info at vippcommunications dot com.  http://vippcommunications.com

The VIPP Report: A team of leaders is expected to announce their involvement in bringing a NBA franchise to Louisville

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Special from Sherlene Shanklin, WHAS11 Television, ABC Affiliate

With the looming question that many in Kentucky want to know can the state support a National Basketball Association, (NBA) team?  The reason why I’m expanding the discussion from Louisville to the whole Commonwealth is because the players, (people involved) will have connections to both the University of Louisville and the University of Kentucky. I’ve figured out several names of the people involved but It can change and/or be updated by the time the public is made aware of their venture.

Remember, I said that there will be an announcement this week.  We only have a couple of days left in the week so I anticipate something in the next day if not today.  At the time of the announcement we will have the name(s) of the people involved which will create a collaborative team of influential people playing all the positions needed to be a real competitor in the game of having a professional team in Louisville.

Like in the Field of Dreams, we built the KFC Yum! Center so will they come or do they need another arena to make it happen?  We are getting closer to that announcement where the talk will turn into negotiations.  They still have a long way to go but this is now going to be moving forward instead of backwards.

To learn more about Louisville working to get a NBA team read my story below. 

You can follow me on Twitter @Sherlenemediapr and Facebook on my public figure page @SherleneShanklin.  Send your story ideas to sshanklin@whas11.com or thevippreport@vippcommunications.com.

Twitter: @thevippreport @vippcomm

The VIPP Report: The “Showdown” takes place on the basketball court bringing “All Stars” to the hardwood to support area youth and Hurricane Harvey victims

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(Louisville, KY) It’s all about the bragging rights in the All-Star Showdown 2017 on Sunday, September 3rd at Old Male High School Gym, 911 S. Brook Street (corner of Brook and Breckenridge). Tickets are $10 for adults and $3 for youth 12 and under.

At 3:00 p.m. there will be a championship league game.  So, the East End Team of Louisville, Lou-Ville Champs will go up against the Buffalo All Star Pro Team from Lexington coached by 1978 NCAA Champion and Kentucky Wildcat James Lee.  It’s the battle for bragging rights.  During halftime fans, will get to enjoy a dunk contest.  You need to be in attendance to see the unbelievable dunks that will be attempted.

You will get your money’s worth with this event.  A second game has been added.  It’s the All-Star Game featuring former NBA & NCAA champion for the Kentucky Wildcats Derek Anderson, former Louisville Cardinals stars BJ Flynn, Nate Johnson and Alvin Sims will participate in the game. We’ve also confirmed that two Louisville Metro Police Officers Joplin Johnson and Thomas Coleman will play in this game. Louisville native and NBA star D’Angelo Russell graciously sponsored the official All Star Showdown Nike uniforms for the 5pm game.

Two former University of Louisville athletes Tony Williams and Mario Urrutia along with their dynamic teams created this concept to give back to the youth in the community.  Williams played 10 years in the European professional basketball league and works tirelessly to assist the youth in the community.  After playing for the Cardinals, Urrutia played in the NFL and currently helps other youth seeking the same success by developing them at the Super Student Athletes, LIFE Center. They provide guidance both on and off the football field.    Throughout the day, you will see youth be showcased in various ways so they can be exposed to positive figures in the community.

You will also get to see Kentucky State University’s Marching Band. They will travel from Frankfort to be a part of the game. There will be a step show during the HBCU halftime explosion.

This event is for the sharp shooters because there will be a Montgomery Chevrolet 3 Point Contest. Former Harlem Globetrotter, Dirt Bowl legend and Louisville native Gerald Gray will participate in Beat the Pro Challenge.

There will even be a $1,000 Lawyer for the City Half Court Long Shot Challenge sponsored by Attorney Brandon Lawrence.

This family friendly event will not only recognize the youth in the community but due to Hurricane Harvey, organizers felt the need to assist with aid by holding a moment of silence at the start of the game and introducing Derek Anderson’s AOK Foundation for hurricane relief fund and explain how you can help throughout the event.  Organizers have family and friends affected and want to let them know they care.

The response has been overwhelming when it comes to giving back.  We would like to thank some 30 sponsors that made this event which include Denny & Susan Crum, Bias Tilford Jr., Beargrass Missionary Church & Iron Sharpens Men’s Church Group, UPS Store St. Matthews Woodlawn Plaza, Derby Oil-Man, Lawrence “Red” Herring, Parkland Laundry, Media-Pros, Wade Houston and Frank Minnifield and family.

All four of the urban radio outlets in the area have agreed to be a part of the event by hosting different hours throughout the day.  B96, 93.1 The Beat, WLOU/104.7 and 107.9 The Beat in Lexington will all broadcast from the event.  There will be on-site interviews with KySports.TV. They will also live stream the games. To keep the activities moving Mario Martin of “The Mario Show” will be the emcee for the day.

Members of the Aspire Academy, which features some of the top high school prospects in the country will be in attendance. Hoops for Christ Philip Morrison will do a dribble dance routine with youth on the court.  With all this fun, you will get hungry so we have the 502 Café food truck serving food just outside the door.

If you would like to setup an interview with Tony Williams and Mario Urrutia please contact Sherlene Shanklin, VIPP Communications at 502-295-0435 or by email at sshanklin@vippcommunications.com.

Crews will be setting up on Friday and Sunday if you would like to do a preview story.  We also invite you to do live shots during our games.  There will be plenty of things going on and we will have coordinators, supporters and players made available to you.

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The VIPP Report: VIPP Communications’ President & CEO receives a prestigious honor at the Acts of Kindness Gala

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If I’m dreaming please don’t wake me.  I had an unbelievable honor given to me by the Stamina Foundation’s Acts of Kindness Gala.  Former NBA star and a member of the 1996 men’s NCAA championship team for the Kentucky Wildcats Derek Anderson founded the Acts of Kindness movement. It gives people a chance to express their compassion through acts of kindness from simply giving a smile, opening a door to buying lunch for someone.  Many of the things you do today is considered A.O.K.  You don’t brag about it nor desire attention for doing right. People do acts of kindness because it’s the right thing to do.
On Friday, October 14th at the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville nearly 300 people attended the inaugural gala.  If you know me, I don’t know how to sit in one place, I just always need to be doing something.  Anderson had me at table one and I thought that was so thoughtful  but when I’m apart of the event, I like to be in the back in case I need to get up and I don’t like disrupting the room and those around me.  Just before the event began, he gave me a thumbs up to get started. I had no idea what that meant at the time but he was trying to keep an eye on me because I’m the queen of sneaking out of a program.
I had a chance to actually sit down and enjoy the dinner and watch Derek and Ashley Miller honor Darrell Griffith for the Ali & Anderson Commitment To The Community Award and Heather French Henry receive the Muhammad Ali Peace & Kindness Award.
As I just needed to have one maybe two bites of the cheesecake before me, I could hear Derek say “She’s probably going to kill me but I want to recognize one more person.”  I think he said a few more very kind words but I have to be honest that the next 15 minutes were a complete blur.  I remember he said my name and asked me to come to the front but in don’t know how I got to the stage nor what I said.  I just know that he gave me the Derek Anderson Acts of Kindness Award.   I now know what it feels like to win an award like the Emmys and the Academy Awards and the person is speechless.
So, I want to have a do-over and do my speech now.  “I am beyond humbled by the honor and grateful that others acknowledged me for my efforts.  When you’re working, you have your head down and hardly ever notice what you are doing.  I was taught at a young age that kindness is a action and should be given freely without asking for anything in return.  I do things just because they are right.  This award goes to everyone who helped me realize that especially my parents, the late James Shanklin and mom Shirley Shanklin.  My mother says this all the time. “Sherlene you can’t live in this world alone.  You need to learn how to love and give back.  You never know when the shoe will be on the other foot and you are on the receiving end.”
The past few years, I thought I was broken but instead I’m stronger and wiser.  I found strength when I didn’t think I had any.  I’ve pulled off productions, events and projects that no one will ever believe.  I’m so blessed and want to thank Derek Anderson, Ashley Miller and the whole Stamina Foundation organization for giving me this honor.  Thank you!
You can follow me on my journey as I continue to spread Acts of Kindness on Twitter @Sherlenemediapr and Instagram @Sherlenemediapro.
“If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you too can move mountains” 
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