Thank you for making Team Up Philly’s 18th Annual BE A HERO Benefit & Celebration a success

What a night it was at Team Up Philly’s 18th Annual BE A HERO Benefit & Celebration! We came together to honor remarkable women in sports, celebrate the achievements of our girls, and fuel our mission: empowering girls  to lead healthy, confident, and successful lives through sports. 

We honored trailblazer, Dr. Nikki Franke

We were so proud to celebrate the incredible achievements of Dr. Nikki Franke, our esteemed Jay Barry Harris Hero of the Year. With a career spanning five decades, Dr. Franke has profoundly impacted the lives of countless girls and women as a coach, mentor, and co-founder of the Black Women in Sport Foundation. We presented her with a well-deserved Proclamation from the Office of Mayor Cherelle Parker and were privileged to listen to her inspiring words.

“Someone gave me an opportunity many, many years ago. And we have to give that back whenever we can. Because there is so much that our young people can accomplish if they are exposed and given the opportunity to accomplish that. So what Team Up Philly is doing, what the Black Women in Sport Foundation is doing, are the things that will continue to help generations to come.”  

- DR. NIKKI FRANKE

We celebrated rising stars 

We also celebrated the exemplary contributions of Sydney Batts, our Volunteer of the Year, whose selfless dedication embodies the spirit of service and sisterhood that defines our organization. Furthermore, we proudly recognized the Rising Stars of 2024: Christie, Imani, Indea, Kimmora, Kristenay, and Zena. These remarkable young women exemplify resilience, determination, and the limitless potential that lies within each of us.

Thank you to everyone who made this event possible. 

A heartfelt thank you to each and every one of you who made this event possible! Your unwavering support has truly made a difference.

We’re incredible grateful to our event sponsors, whose generosity drives our mission forward; our dedicated Board of Directors, whose vision and leadership guide us every step of the way; our auction and raffle donors, and our incredible event committee—especially Event Chair Pam Yih—who work tirelessly to ensure this event was nothing short of spectacular.

To all our amazing guests and supporters, your generosity and enthusiasm filled the night with magic, turning it into more than just a benefit, but a cherished tradition we're incredibly proud to host.

Until next year!

Our Generous Event Sponsors & Donors

CHAMPIONS
The Gish-Rockford Family
Joan Mazzotti & Michael Kelly

GAME CHANGERS
Marc Siebert & Alan Schwartz

ADVOCATES
The Buckman Family
Kathy Clupper & Jim Domenick
Friends of Team Up Philly
Timoney Knox, Attorneys At Law
PADELphia, Bala Cynwyd
Marian & Larry Pearlman
PHLSPORTS
RED’S BEST
SAK Associates, Inc.
Ulrike Schunk & Philip Zuzelo
The Siebert-Thal Family
The Wawa Foundation

AUCTION DONORS
Allison & Jim Brodo
Ashani Weeraratna & Pat Morin
Attention to Detail
Barre 3 Studio in Rosemont
Beth Buckman
Blue Moon Florist
Bryn Mawr Film Institute  
Carlos Bradley
Carrie Gish Rockford
Charisse Marei 
Clare Fullerton 
Corinne Good
Deborah Watson-Stokes  
Kelab Events 
Kismet Bagels 
Laura Koropey
Love from Home
Lynne Partridge
Marian & Larry Pearlman
Meaghan Messner
Nolan Painting
PADELphia
Pam & Don Yih
Philadelphia Ballet
Roman J. Koropey
Sam’s Doghouse
Susan Thal & Ed Siebert
The Choice, Bryn Mawr
The Phillies
Warby Parker
Wendy Frame

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Celebrating Dr. Nikki Franke, 2024’s Jay Barry Harris Hero of the Year