The streets were buzzing and full of feet wrapped in hot kicks when Converse took over Atlanta this past weekend with events infused with basketball, celebrity and community outreach.

The Converse Take Over weekend began on Friday, April 30 at the Georgia Freight Room, with The Converse Tip Off, an exclusive invitation only soiree that utilized interactive displays to provide a glimpse of Converse’s deep involvement with Atlanta’s youth, a private preview of some of the Fall 2010 product line and the unveiling of an advertising campaign celebrating Atlanta’s local Basketball Heroes. Attendees had the opportunity to make customized t-shirts, snap pictures in the Converse Photo Booth and even win money on the custom basketball court built into the event venue. Celebrities in attendance included Jermaine Dupri, Elise Neal, Lamman Rucker, Melyssa Ford, R&B group 112, Wingo of Jagged Edge, 2010 Olympic Bronze Medalist Elana Meyers, Chauncey Davis of the Atlanta Falcons, Young Money artist Shannell, hip hop artist Mika Means, fomer NBA player & Converse Atlanta Local Hero Deon Glover, former WNBA All-Star Rushia Brown and several others.

The Converse Take Over continued on Saturday, May 1 at Clark-Atlanta University with Band of Ballers, a of 3 on 3 tournament that brought Converse’s love of music, basketball and Atlanta to the world as some of Atlanta’s musicians squared off against each other on the court. Teams and artists in the tournament included 2009 Band of Ballers Champion Jim Jones & The Jones Family (featuring Shammgod Wells), The Black Lips, Of Montreal, Bad News (featuring Jay Electronica, Sean Price and Donnis), Steel Train, Jermaine Dupri & The So So Def Family and Southern Hospitality (featuring Shawty Lo, OJ Da Juiceman and Pill). The highlight of the day was a surprise appearance by hip hop artist Cam’ron who made his first public appearance with former label mate Jim Jones after a 2-year feud. Jim Jones and The Jones Family faced off against Southern Hospitality in the championship game and went on to victory, clenching the Band of Ballers championship for the second year in a row.

The Converse Take Over weekend will culminate on Monday, May 3rd at City Hall where Converse will be presented with a Proclamation from Ceasar C. Mitchell and members of the Atlanta City Council for its work in the community, which includes the Converse Open Gym program, a multi-year partnership with HOOP Atlanta, building a basketball court at Piedmont Park, basketball court refurbishments and equipment donations to over 3,000 local schools.
For more information about Converse, please visit www.converse.com.