ABOUT ALONZO MOURNING

Alonzo Mourning is founder of Alonzo Mourning Charities, a not-for-profit 501©(3) public fundraising foundation, created to inspire through advocacy, education and enrichment services. Programs under the Alonzo Mourning Charities umbrella include the Overtown Youth Center, Zo’s Fund for Life and the Honey Shine Mentoring Program, founded by wife Tracy Wilson Mourning. Since 1997, Mourning has raised more than $7 million for various initiatives that aid in the development of children and their families.

Mourning is an advocate for youth initiatives and programs that assist abused, abandoned, and neglected kids. He is a sought-after speaker, engaging audiences of all ages and sizes on the importance of education, leadership and perseverance. Mourning is often recognized for his charitable efforts receiving numerous awards such as the NBA’s Community Assist Award in 2006 and 2008; National Urban League’s Outstanding Community Service Award in 2003; Silver Medallion Community Service Award by the National Conference for Community and Justine in 2003; NBA’s J. Walter Kennedy Sportsmanship Award in 2002; The Children’s Trust Excellence Award for Public Policy in 2007; and The Mannie Jackson– Basketball’s Human Spirit Award in 2009 which led him to be inducted into the Hampton Roads Sports Hall of Fame, to name a few.

Mourning was drafted as the number two pick, of the first round, by the Charlotte Hornets in the 1992 NBA draft. After three successful years with the Hornets, Mourning moved on in 1995 to spend seven years with the Miami Heat leading the team to win several Eastern division titles. Impressing others with the vigor and tenacity that he has put into being a defensive weapon for his team and an offensive nightmare for his opponents, Alonzo was selected to join an elite group of NBA players who represented the United States in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia.

Diagnosed with Focal Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), a degenerative kidney ailment, at the start of the 2000-2001 season, he returned to the court after undergoing a kidney transplant in that same season and played in the remaining 13 games with the Miami Heat. In 2003 Mourning joined the New Jersey Nets but returned to Miami, a place he calls home, to rejoin the Miami Heat in 2005 where he was an integral part in leading the team to their first NBA Championship in the 2005-06 season. Mourning is a seven-time NBA All-Star and two-time Defensive Player of the Year (1999 and 2000). He is currently among the league’s leaders in blocked shots, field goal percentages and rebounds per game. In 2009/2010 he re-joined the Miami Heat as Vice President of Player Programs responsible for ensuring the personal and professional development of HEAT players, while providing direct support and one-on-one mentoring. In addition, he will represent the HEAT in various community and business endeavors.

At the end of September 2008 Mourning’s first book, an autobiography titled “RESILIENCE,” was released. In his book, Mourning shares the hardships he’s endured and survived – from petitioning himself into foster care as a ten-year old, to studying his way onto the Dean’s list in college, surviving an incurable, degenerative kidney disease and transplant, as well as battling his way to legendary status in the NBA.

At the start of the 2009/2010 Miami-Dade County School year, a new high school in North Miami was commemoratively named after the Mourning’s – Alonzo and Tracy Mourning Senior High Biscayne Bay Campus. The School Board recognized the positive affects the Mourning’s have on youth and have honored them with the school naming.

In October 2009 the Alonzo Mourning Access to Care Act became effective in the State of Florida. The new law allows patients with end-stage renal disease and other disabilities to expand their insurance coverage in order to become eligible for organ transplants. Mourning was then honored with the Humanitarian Award in February 2010, presented by the Miami Transplant Institute (MTI) at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and Jackson Memorial Hospital. Mourning was bestowed this honor for helping to bring public attention to the critical need for organ donation and for research.

In 2010 Alonzo Mourning co-founded the “Athletes Relief Fund for Haiti” receiving pledges in excess of $2 million from the sports and local community to aid Haiti after it was struck by a devastating earthquake in January. Mourning is now working with Project Medishare to begin the next stage of rebuilding.

Mourning is a graduate of Georgetown University and holds a degree in Sociology. He and his wife, Tracy Wilson Mourning, reside in Miami, Florida with their three children – sons Trey and Alijah and daughter Myka.

(updated 03/26/10)