Athletes and Celebrities Pack ESPYS Pre-party to Celebrate and Learn About Education Reform

“Champions for Choice” hosted by ESPN/NBA Analyst Jalen Rose and four-time Olympic Gold Medalist Lisa Leslie
LOS ANGELES (July 17, 2013) – An estimated 300 attendees, including sports legends, celebrities and educational choice advocates packed the WP-24 Wolfgang Puck restaurant last night to celebrate the Alliance for School Choice’s 2nd annual Champions for Choice event. In conjunction with the ESPY awards, Champions for Choice was hosted by former NBA star and current ESPN/NBA analyst Jalen Rose, four-time Olympic Gold Medalist and former WNBA star Lisa Leslie, and educational choice advocate from the Alliance for School Choice, Kevin P. Chavous. The event brought together celebrities and athletes to discuss the importance of education reform and ensuring kids from across the country have access to high-quality educational opportunities.
“The ESPYS is an event focused on celebrating the success of athletes from around the world and last night we’re grateful to see so many athletes attend our event focused on celebrating the importance of expanding educational options to children across the country,” said Kevin P. Chavous, Executive Counsel of the Alliance for School Choice. “Every child deserves a quality education and never before have so many athletes come together in support of improving education.”
Some of the event’s attendees included Academy-award winning actor, Louis Gossett Jr., fellow actors Vivica A. Fox, Garcelle Beauvoir, Regina King and Penny Marshall; singers Shaunice and the Kindred Family Soul; and current and former sports stars and legends Vince Young, Derek Fisher, Elgin Baylor, and James Ihedigbo a member of the 2013 Super Bowl Champion winning Baltimore Ravens.
“I want to thank our event co-sponsors The Broad Foundation and The Walton Family Foundation, and our event hosts, Jalen Rose and Lisa Leslie for all of their work as instrumental leaders in encouraging their peers to lend their fame to the cause of improving the educational options for children. Every child who has access to a quality education is offered a brighter future with more opportunities and we applaud and thank all the athletes and celebrities who took time to attend the Champions for Choice event,” added Chavous.
By the close of the event, the room was abuzz with attendees issuing their support for education reform and looking for ways to sign-on to the cause. The Alliance for School Choice and its affiliated partner, the American Federation for Children will continue to share photos and videos from the event all week through the AFC Facebook and Twitter accounts.