Success and Significance. Two words that changed Chauncey Billups’ life as a youngster growing up in the Park Hill neighborhood and propelled him as a star basketball player at Denver’s Washington High School, as CU Boulder Buff and with a 17-year NBA career playing with several pro teams including the Denver Nuggets. The NBA All-Star thanked his coaches and family who inspired him to achieve success on and off the court.
More than 400 guests attended the annual Porter-Billups Leadership Academy (PBLA) fundraising dinner with the theme of “Education, Leadership and Transformation” at the Ritz-Carlton, Saturday, July 26.
Regis President Father John Fitzgibbons gave the invocation, which was followed with comments from advisory board member co-chairs Flossie O’Leary and Randy Holliday, who introduced coach Lonnie Porter and 1995 George Washington High School graduate Chauncey Billups, who joined the PBLA non-profit in 2006. Entertainment was provided by songstress Natalie Tatum and pianist Ronneka Cox.
Founded in 1996 by Regis basketball coach Lonnie Porter, the non-profit organization offers scholarships to support at-risk Denver Public School students. Coach Porter, founder and executive director; Staci Porter-Bentley, co-founder and director; and Billups, co-executive director, each greeted guests and and recognized top sponsors including The Tynan Family, Robert “Bob” Willis, Panorama Orthopedic and Spine Center, and some other 50+ sponsors.
Recognized as the winningest college basketball coach in Colorado history, Porter recognized student graduates for their hard work and encouraged guests to pay it forward and continue their support for struggling at-risk students who need mentors and guidance. He described the mission of the PBLA, a three-week summer academic program at Regis University serving students ranging from elementary and high school students.
Staci Porter-Bentley took the podium with her mentee DaVeion Jackson and their history of partnership and growth throughout the years. Later in the evening, several other PBLA students shared their stories of overcoming personal struggles and graduation from the program.
For more information visit www. porter-billups.org
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- Annual Porter-Billups Leadership Academy Gala
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- Chauncey Billups, Alan & Lisa Synn
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- The PBLA attracted more than 400 guests
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- PBLA programs are hosted by Regis University
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- Randy Miller, Kathy Pierce, Linda Miller
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- Guests at the PBLA receptoion
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- Regis President Father Fitzgibbons and Sunny Porter
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- Alma Vazquez, David Hernandez
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- Event Planners Lisa & Randy Hamilton
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- Myra Robinson, Kat Van Daele
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- Pat & Phil Snyder, Deb Haviland
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- Vicky Brown, Nemiah Wilson
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- Beverly Anderson, Bobbie Knight
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- Brian Ellertson, Lazette Ray, Ray Mondragon, Jill Corcoran, Laura Ramsey
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- Brianna Smith and mom, Gretchen Smith
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- Bruce Pickens, Wanda Harris, Alicia Harvey
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- Yvette Cook, Glenn Carrington
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- Angela Sidhu, son Lucas, and Mary Brozovich
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- Lonnie and Sunny Porter
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- Madeline Reynolds, Jackie O’Bryan
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- Nikki and Dominick Scrivner, Laurie Hicks
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- Dana and Colin Bresee
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- Dawnell Connelly
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- Deandre Frierson, DaVeion Jackson
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- Donna Ogorek, Jim Bergman
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- Ellen & John Barry
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- Emma & Tom Dunrud
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- Flossie O’Leary & Randy Holliday
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- Emcee Susie Wargin
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- Award Winners
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- PCBA recognizes leaders
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- Chauncey Billups flashes a smile
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- Chauncey Billups tells his story and that of PBLA
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- Regis Coach Lonnie Porter encourages guests and supporters to “pay it forward”
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- Coach Lonnie Porter describes PBLA’s mission
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- Vocalist Natalie Tatum entertains guests
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- Singer Natalie Tatum acknowledges guests’ applause
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- Staci Porter-Bentley describes successes at the Leadership Academy
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- Staci Porter-Bentley and DaVeion Jackson
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- DaVeion Jackson and Staci Porter-Bentley
