
Alonzo Mourning
Former Professional Basketball Player, Seven-time NBA All-Star; Inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame
Alonzo Mourning is the founder of Mourning Family Foundation (formerly known as Alonzo Mourning Charities), a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) public fundraising foundation, created to inspire others through advocacy, education, and enrichment services. Since 1997, Mourning has raised more than $10 million for various programs that aid in the development of children and their families. In addition…
Categories :
Full Bio
Alonzo Mourning is the founder of Mourning Family Foundation (formerly known as Alonzo Mourning Charities), a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) public fundraising foundation, created to inspire others through advocacy, education, and enrichment services. Since 1997, Mourning has raised more than $10 million for various programs that aid in the development of children and their families.
In addition to supporting numerous educational initiatives, Mourning focuses his attention on stimulating the development of youth enrichment centers. With the help of donors, Mourning opened the Overtown Youth Center in the historic South Florida area of Overtown in 2003. The Overtown Youth Center delivers enrichment services that foster hope and promote lifelong learning and success for inner-city youth and citizens.
With the leadership of his wife Tracy, Mourning supports the Honey Shine Mentoring Program which works to empower young girls to shine as women by instilling the values of knowledge, responsibility, community, and faith. Additionally, Mourning acts as an advocate for youth initiatives and foster care programs that assist abused, abandoned, and neglected kids. The couple is united through their commitment to the children of the Greater Miami Community.
Consistently recognized for his charitable efforts, Mourning has received numerous awards such as the NBA’s Community Assist Award in 2006, National Urban League’s Outstanding Community Service Award in 2003, Silver Medallion Community Service Award by the National Conference for Community and Justice in 2003, and NBA’s J. Walter Kennedy Sportsmanship Award in 2002, and The Children’s Trust Excellence Award for Public Policy in 2007, to name a few.
In August 2009, Mr. and Mrs. Mourning were honored by having a High School named after them. The Alonzo and Tracy Mourning Sr. High Biscayne Bay Campus opened its doors in North Miami, Florida. Located two blocks north of Florida International University’s Biscayne Bay Campus, it was built to relieve overcrowding at nearby Dr. Michael M. Krop and North Miami Beach High Schools.
Most Recently, Mourning has been selected by the superintendent of Miami Dade County Public Schools to join Building for Tomorrow – an advocacy group formed to encourage Miami-Dade County residents to support the issuance of a $1.2 billion General Obligation Bond to renovate our school facilities, update educational technology, build school replacements, expand student capacity, and enhance facility safety.
Mourning has had a notably successful basketball career as a key member of the Charlotte Hornets, New Jersey Nets, and Miami Heat. A seven-time NBA All-Star and two-time Defensive Player of the Year (1999 and 2000), he played an integral part in leading the Heat to several Eastern division titles and their first NBA Championship in 2005-2006. Mourning is currently among the league’s leaders in blocked shots, field goal percentages, and rebounds per game.
In 2000, Mourning was selected to join an elite group of NBA players to represent the United Statesin the Olympics in Sydney, Australia. Mourning won the coveted gold medal, but was soon diagnosed with Focal Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), a rare genetic kidney disease.
After being diagnosed with FSGS, Mourning personally led a campaign to raise $2 million to aid in the research, education, and financial relief of patients who cannot afford medication and named the campaign Zo’s Fund for Life. Mourning eventually underwent a successful kidney transplant in December 2003. He continues to raise awareness about the importance of becoming an organ donor and is also active with the National Kidney Foundation, educating the public on the importance of early detection.
Mourning has been sought after as an orator to inspire sales teams, encourage nurses and staff at dialysis units across the country, and speak to a room of 300 top Nephrologists and transplant surgeons about his story and the importance of continuing to progress with treatment. From the President of the United States to the 3 year old boy suffering from kidney failure, Mourning has the ability to reach, empower, and inspire everyone he encounters. He engages audiences of all sizes and ages, emphasizing the importance of education, leadership, and perseverance. In addition to his philanthropy, Mourning is a highly respected business leader and has numerous business development projects in the Miami area.
Mourning is a graduate of Georgetown University and holds a degree in Sociology. He also is a member of his alma mater’s Board of Directors, Vice President of Player Programs and Development with the Miami Heat, and has been the Chair of the McDonald’s All-American Game Advisory Committee since 2008. He and his wife, Tracy Wilson Mourning, reside in Miami, Florida with their three children – sons Trey and Alijah and daughter Myka.
Testimonials
Ernie was perfect for our Elders Conference at Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, Michigan. We will definitely be using PDA again!

LITTLE RIVER BAND OF OTTAWA INDIANS
Our speaker was great and the crowd enjoyed her! She was very engaging. Thank you again PDA for the great list of suggestions!

MEDTRONIC
Everything went great! and our speaker was wonderful! Thank you so much for all your help PDA! Looking forward to the next one.

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI – KANSAS CITY
I hope that this message finds you well. We had a phenomenal time with Atsuko this past Thursday. We wanted to just let you know how amazing she was. All those that were in attendance thoroughly enjoyed her and had nothing but amazing things to say about her. Thank you for working with us to make sure this happened!

BAYLOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
We had a fantastic day with Inge! She was very engaging with all those that attended. Her personal stories about the holocaust were very special and we were moved that she was willing to share them with everyone. Thank you again, PDA for all your hard work and dedication to make this program such a success!

SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Dear PDA Group, Thank you so much for your hard work in scheduling our speaker! From the moment we reached out to you the first time, you worked with us on all details and logistics and kept us up-to-date on the progress. Thank you for all your hard work on making our event such a success! We couldn't have done it without you and your team!

SAP COMPANY
Thank you again, Dr. Kimbrough, for a great presentation, our attendees are still talking about it!

CAMPUS LABS
Dr. Henry Lee's presentation was entertaining, insightful and wise. I, and everyone at Pfizer, especially appreciate the remarks you directed about following your passion and preparing yourself to excel. Thank you, everyone, at PDA for helping to make this happen!

PFIZER
The event was successful! I received many messages expressing how awesome, outstanding and inspiring Ms. Webb-Christburg's speech was."

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL BREAKFAST, BOSTON, MLK SPEAKER
Everything went well. Atsuko was very easy to work with and the students enjoyed her performance! Thank you again for your recommendation and I hope to work with you again in the future!

CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Dr. Novello left this morning after a very successful event on our campus! Thank you PDA Group for your help from the first phone to the last you were with us every step of the way.

GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Jordan Carlos was very very entertaining! A majority of students who answered the event survey indicated they really enjoyed Jordan and definitely will bring him back!

WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
On behalf of myself and my organization Entertainment Unlimited the Campus Programming Board of Ferris State University, we thank you PDA and Dan for a successful event!! Dan was magnificent! Students really enjoyed the presentation. I know I did. Can't wait to bring in more programs with PDA Group.

FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
It was a great pleasure to work with PDA Group! The communication was always prompt, friendly and helpful. We loved the speakers and events we booked through Mr. Peter Walker (PDA Group).

WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Thank you, Peter, for all your help, you'll be happy to know that the event went incredibly well! Aneesa Ferreira was by far one of the best speakers we've ever had!

FURMAN UNIVERSITY
Topics
A Conversation With Alonzo Mourning
Videos
Alonzo Mourning is keynote speaker at YMCA's Inspiration Breakfast
Books
News
Testimonials
GET IDEAS

1 HOUR OR LESS