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You are invited to the 1st Annual Kingsley Sneaker Ball!

But what is a sneaker ball?

A sneaker ball is fundraiser event where the theme is to dress up in your nicest attire (suits, dresses, etc.), but beneath it all you wear your favorite pair of sneakers!

The 21+ event will be June 28th from 8-11pm at Kingfly Spirits in the Strip District with a live performance from the Bill Henry Band! Keep an eye out for the raffle and silent auction as well.

Ticket Prices

Single $75

Couple $125

VIP Single $100

VIP Couple $150

Ticket covers food and open bar until 10pm.

BUY TIX NOW

Meet Our VIP Guest:
J.T. Thomas

J.T. Thomas, the oldest of four children is originally from Macon, Georgia where he attended St. Peter Claver Elementary School and Lanier (Central) High Military School. At Lanier, J.T. excelled in football, basketball, and track. Upon graduation from Lanier in 1969, he accepted a full grant-n-aid scholarship to play football at Florida State University making him the first African American to play football at the university, and the first African football player to graduate from the Florida State. At FSU, J.T. majored in business and was an All-American standout for the Seminoles. Upon graduation from FSU, he was the Pittsburgh Steelers #1 draft choice in 1973. While a Pittsburgh Steelers, J.T. received All-Pro honors as a defensive back and was a member of the Steel Curtain Defense that won four Super Bowls during the 70’s and 80’s. J.T. and Mel Blount are ranked #6 in the NFL Top 10 Cornerback Tandem of

All-Time.

During his professional football career, J.T. worked as a sales representative and broker for Lincoln National Life and Prudential and Research Underwriter Property and Casualty Company, and was also employed by the U.S. Department of Commerce

In 1983, J.T. retired from the National Football League and opened Chin’s Rice Bowl, an oriental theme restaurant. In that same year, he became a Burger King franchisee in the Pittsburgh market. In 1987, J.T. brought Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar restaurant chain to Pennsylvania and developed and operated stores in western and central Pennsylvania, and the Morgantown West Virginia area until 2004. From 2006 to 2009 operated the Red Hot & Blue Southern Grill, a national chain based in Winston-Salem, South Carolina. J.T. also owned and operated Crazy Mocha’s Coffee Shops in Pittsburgh from 2015-2022.

Currently, J.T. is Pennsylvania’s Rum Ambassador for Papa’s Pilar Rum located in Key West Florida. Papa’s Pilar is a run distillery company fashion after the great explorer and author Ernest Hemingway.

J.T. is a member of the Macedonia Baptist Church in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and serve as a board member with Pittsburgh Historic Landmark Foundation (PHLF).

Personally, his wife Deborah is a retired reading specialist and librarian from the Gateway School District in Monroeville, Pennsylvania. J.T. has two adult children and two grandchildren.

Hobbies: Physical conditioning, reading, and playing the piano and organ (gospel & jazz).

VIP Guests will have the chance to meet 4x super bowl champion J.t. Thomas!

Outfit Inspiration

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Become an Event Sponsor

Stepping into the Kingsley Association at 6435 Frankstown Avenue, one embarks on a journey through history and into the heart of a community pulsing with life. Founded in 1893, amidst Pittsburgh’s bustling industry and diverse cultures, Kingsley was conceived as a beacon of hope and unity. Here, in this modern era, the legacy thrives through vibrant programs like the Family Center and Teen L.E.A.D., spaces where generations meet, share, and grow.

Wandering through the facility, one can't help but feel the energy of collaboration and support. The gym, pool, and yoga studios are not just spaces for physical health but sanctuaries for community wellness, echoing the laughter and strides of those who came before. Governmental gatherings, fitness classes, and mentoring sessions paint a picture of a community in action, each activity a thread in the larger tapestry of Kingsley’s mission.

As our visitor moves through the halls, they witness the tangible impact of Kingsley’s work: parents receiving support, teenagers engaging in leadership training, seniors and youth exchanging wisdom. Each interaction, each program, bridges the gaps of race and ethnicity, standing as ground zero for social cohesion and innovation.

This narrative, set against the backdrop of Kingsley’s historical and ongoing contributions, invites all who enter to find a place within this legacy. It’s a call to action, not just to witness but to participate in the continuous shaping of a community where every individual, regardless of background, is valued and uplifted.

In this story of Kingsley, the visitor finds not just a center for activities but a home for purpose, connection, and a shared future. Here, in the heart of Pittsburgh’s East End, the Kingsley Association remains a testament to the power of collective action, a place where history and hope converge.