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Photography by Dedrick Love
Big Tigger’s 5th Annual Celebrity Classic: Sneaker Box
As a journalist I always try to present my work and character in the best way possible. When I think of the phrase "whatever it takes," it’s something that gives deep meaning as it’s something that I live by. When I have a task ahead of me, I do my best to make it happen. The inner city will do that to you. It’s survival of the fittest.
Basketball, sneakers, and cars -- and the culture that surrounds them -- is something that many try to understand. Through this column, my goal is to focus on sneakers, tennis shoes, gym shoes, kicks, or whatever you call them, and the athletes and celebrities that rock them. Shoes are apart of life and life is what you make it.
 Washington DC – The 5th annual Big Tigger Celebrity Classic jumped off in spectacular fashion, building awareness and raising funds for the HIV/AIDS pandemic. When asked about the bottom line of his Celebrity Classic Big Tigger expressed, “I feel that it is necessary to educate and give back to the community. Even though I’m from the Bronx, New York, this [Washington, D.C.] is the area that made me who I am today, getting my start on WPGC 95.5 FM, and now I can help put an end to the pandemic of HIV/AIDS.”
The highlight of the weekend was the All Star Celebrity Basketball game sponsored by the Jordan Brand, so you know the best of the best shoes were out in full force. Automotive Rhythms supported the game as Eric Elston and Oronde Garrett were wearing fresh white on white Air Force Ones. Fan favorite and Jordan athlete  Terrell Owens didn’t let his team or anyone in attendance down, playing his way to 27 points with an array of thunderous dunks, while earning his team the win 116-96, but it was the play of R&B crooner Tank that took home the MVP in a losing effort with the game high 29 points. Both teams laced up in the Jordan XXI, while saxophonist Mike “Philly” Phillips marched to the beat of the then unreleased Jordan VII Black/Citrus, just to show off. Big Tigger was spotted wearing the Nike Air Force One Easter edition just before tip-off, as the display of shoes on everyone’s feet looked more like an auto show than a celebrity weekend. If the Jordan sponsor wasn’t enough for your taste, the Sneaker Suite (www.thesneakersuite.com) also lent a helping hand, with a delicate array of classic kicks and exclusive shoes. From the Celebrity Weekend Block Party, to the extravagant after parties at nightclubs, the Sneaker Suite held its own as the leader of all things shoes. Equipped with a Jeep Commander from Automotive Rhythms, CEO Ian Callender displayed the  Sneaker Suite and his shoes to the community at large and celebs alike. When asked about his company he stated, “It was another success with the help of Nike and the Jordan Brand, by allowing me to create an eclectic showcase. It provides the community an opportunity to see rare product in another medium.”
All in all it was a great series of events, and by the end of the weekend the Washington D.C. Metro Area benefited as it got major assist from Big Tigger, his celebrity friends and the sponsors. Life is about choices, and it’s what you do or what you don’t do that can change any and everything.
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