Given the diversity and challenges facing our young people today, no single entity can meet the complex needs of our youth. Hence, we believe in building strong partnerships with schools, businesses, faith based organizations, government agencies, mentoring groups and other non-profit entities. A partial listing is below.

In appreciation for those individuals and organizations that support the tournament and its goals for our youth we created the “Community Pillar Award”. The “Community Pillar Award” is awarded during the tournament at center court to recognize individuals, small businesses, service organizations, corporations etc. for “outstanding support, which goes above and beyond the call of duty, of community special events for our youth”.

Community Pillar Award Recipients:

	Actress Keshia Knight-Pulliam
	Mayor Wayne Smith Irvington, New Jersey
	Rosa Velez Fmr. Miss New Jersey U.S.A.
	New Jersey Institute of Technology Service Learning Program
	WWORTV / UPN9
	Mothers of Professional Basketball Players

New Jersey Nets, Fila, Mothers of Professional (NBA) Basketball Players Organization, Former NY Knick Mark Jackson, Miami Heat's Shaquille O'Neal, Jerry Walker & Team Walker, Lucille Harrison, Marie Jackson, Rebecca Gatling, Women's Sports Foundation, Rutgers University/Newark Campus, Provost Steven Diner, Assoc. Provost Marcia Brown, Whitney Houston Foundation for Children, Isaac Hayes Literacy Crusade, Naughty by Nature, Boxing Promoter Murad Muhammad, M&M Sports, Newark Bears Baseball, New Jersey Transit, Pepsi, Aquafina Water, Lipton Ice Tea, Hot 97 Radio, Kiss FM's Open Line Show, WLIB Sports Box Show, WWORTV/UPN 9, Cablevision, Keyes-Martin Advertising and Public Relations, Hilton Gateway Hotel, Seton Hall's Shaheen Holloway, Cosby Star Keshia Knight-Pulliam, Vinnie Brown, and other celebrities, Linda Vann-Dupree, Vivian Lanzot, Robin Johnson Esq., Qasim Akbar, Flash Gordan, Miya Ali, Habeeb Muhammad, James & Denise Pulliam, Sgt. Zaid Braswell, Elnardo Webster, Newark Public Schools (Office of Extended School Day Programs), Jim Casalino, Irvington Public Schools (Athletic Department), Irvington Mayor Wayne Smith, Freeholder D. Bilal Beasley, Newark Councilwomen Bessie Walker, and a host of volunteers, youth mentors, churches and community-based organizations.