Serena Williams to visit Huntsville to celebrate Girls Inc. 50th anniversary

Huntsville will soon be visited by one of the sports world’s most iconic figures, as tennis star Serena Williams will come to the Rocket City in October to support the 50th anniversary of Girls, Inc of Huntsville.

Williams will be the keynote speaker at the Sneaker Gala event to support the Fuel Her Fire Campaign. Find out more below!

Celebrating 50 years in Huntsville

Celebrating 50 years of Girls, Inc. in the Huntsville community, the Fuel Her Fire campaign has highlighted success stories of Girls Inc. participants while raising much-needed funds to support an additional 3,000 girls across the Rocket City. The Sneaker Gala will be the culminating event for the Fuel Her Fire Campaign.

Since 1972, Girls Inc. has offered after-school programs and long-lasting mentor relationships. It’s adapted with the times, as times and technology changed. The after-school program they offer serves girls in the Huntsville City Schools system from grades K-8. 

There have been many different celebrations to mark the organization’s 50th-year milestone. Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle proclaimed 2022 the “Year of the Girl.”

Serena Williams in the Rocket City

Williams, the 23-time Grand Slam champion and one of the most dominant tennis players in the sport’s history, will attend the Sneaker Gala Oct. 27 and participate in a live Q&A with girls from all age levels of the Girls Inc. program. Williams will also meet with donors who are making the Sneaker Gala possible.

Girls Inc. of Huntsville hopes to raise $500,000 from the event. A live auction will be held and will include packages with tickets to the U.S. Open, ESPY’s, travel experiences and more.

Funds raised will be invested directly into girls across Huntsville, giving them the tools to be “Strong, Smart and Bold.”

“For 50 years Girls Inc. has been developing future female leaders, right here in Huntsville. The work they do is vital for ending the cycle of poverty and empowering young women to be strong, smart, bold! It’s why Toyota has supported Girls Inc., and why I am personally passionate about their mission,” 

April Mason, Toyota Battery Manufacturing general manager and Sneaker Gala Chair

Here are some details on the Sneaker Gala:

• The Sneaker Gala will be held at the VBC South Hall. 
• This semi-formal affair has a little kick to it, as participants are asked to put on their best sneakers with their formal attire.
• The event is expected to sell out quickly, so interested parties should act sooner rather than later. 
• Sponsorships are available and can be purchased here.
• Individual tickets will be available soon.

Are you planning to attend the Sneaker Gala? We will keep you updated on ticket availability as we get more info! Meanwhile, follow Hville Blast on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram, and be sure to subscribe to our newsletter so you don’t miss announcements on what’s happening in and around Huntsville.