Celebrating Best Buddies International’s Mission of Inclusion and Honoring Best Buddies Global Ambassador Guy Fieri with the 2024 ‘Spirit of Leadership’ Award

Miami, Florida, Nov. 13, 2024 – Best Buddies International, a nonprofit dedicated to creating opportunities for friendship, employment, leadership development, inclusive living, and family support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), is thrilled to present its Best Buddies Challenge: Miami Chaired by Kenneth C. Griffin Charitable Fund and Presented by the Andrew P. Barowsky Foundation, and Mack Cycle & Fitness and the Jersey Mike’s Subs Best Buddies Miami Gala on Saturday, November 16.

The celebration of inclusion kicks off Saturday morning with the Best Buddies Challenge: Miami at the Four Seasons Hotel Miami. The Miami Challenge is a world-class cycling event that features a ride through some of the most historic and scenic locations in Miami, South Beach and Key Biscayne. Limited to just 50 participants, riders will experience a Tour de France-style police-escorted peloton with route options of 100 or 75 miles. Leading this year’s ride are four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome, and professional cyclists Mark Cavendish, Alberto Contador, and Geraint Thomas. The Challenge is open to all ages and abilities and includes professional athletes, high-profile personalities as well as the participation of athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The gala will take place in the evening, celebrating the Best Buddies’ mission and honoring the dedication of supporters, participants and volunteers. The event will feature a cocktail hour, gourmet dinner, live and silent auctions and a live performance by Emmy and Grammy Award-winning Multi-Hyphenate Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson.

This year’s event will honor celebrity chef and Best Buddies Global Ambassador Guy Fieri with the Spirit of Leadership Award. This accolade is awarded to distinguished individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, generosity, and unwavering support for Best Buddies’ mission. Guy joined Best Buddies in 2010 and for nearly 15 years he has served as a Best Buddies Global Ambassador, co-chairing the organization’s largest fundraising initiative, the Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port, alongside Best Buddies Global Ambassador Tom Brady. As part of the Challenge, Guy helped Best Buddies raise over $62 million for its mission and hosted the annual “Guy Cooking with Best Buddies” event that empowered buddies interested in the culinary industry to serve as sous chefs alongside top celebrity chefs.

Other notable guests scheduled to attend the gala include President and CEO of Jersey Mike’s Subs Peter Cancro; Olympic Gold Medalist Carl Lewis; Actress Crystle Stewart; and Miss America 2024 Madison Marsh.

Alongside the gala, the Champion of the Year makes its return to Miami. Community leaders are paired with Best Buddies program participants in this fundraising challenge, and the duo that raises the most funds is named the Champion of the Year.

“The Miami Gala is a celebration of the incredible work that brings Best Buddies’ mission to life,” said Anthony K. Shriver, founder, chairman, and CEO of Best Buddies International. “For 26 years, this event has shined a light on the inspiring strength and spirit of the community of individuals with IDD that we serve. This year, we’re thrilled to honor our amazing friend Guy Fieri with the organization’s Spirit of Leadership Award. Best Buddies is deeply grateful for Guy’s incredible support, and we’re energized to continue working to create a more inclusive world for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities around the globe.”

Proceeds from the event will directly contribute to advancing Best Buddies’ mission.

The following sponsors have demonstrated their belief in the Best Buddies mission through their generosity and commitment:

Title Sponsor: Jersey Mike’s Subs

Presenting Sponsors: Andrew P. Barowsky Foundation, The Coca-Cola Company, Carolan Foundation

Friendship Sponsors: The Ferraro Law Firm; The GEO Group Foundation, Ralph Winter/W-5 Group, Ken & Andrea Shanley

Employment Sponsors: Arison Family Foundation, Braman Miami, Dart Group Foundation, May Liang & James Lintott, Evens Saint Clair, Sterling Foundation Management, Sun Capital Partners Foundation, Daniel Sundheim, Ocean Automotive Group

Leadership Sponsors: Ashbritt Management & Logistics, David and Leila Centner Charitable Foundation, Christina Griffith, The Crown & Kunkler Family, The Ansin Foundation, Klingman and Associates, Fanatics Foundation, Fort Partners/Surf Club/Four Seasons, the Ocean Automotive Group, Park West Foundation

Inclusive Living Sponsors: Sandy & Tony Tamer, Lewis Swezy, Commissioner Micky Steinberg, Midstate Mitsubishi, TUUCI, Horst Ferrero, Holland & Knight, Mayor Glenn Singer and Andrea Fuerer, The Town Of Golden Beach, Ortega Construction Company, Brett Overman, VandeBoom Family, Artefacto, Schlesinger & Associates, Ronald Book

About Best Buddies
Best Buddies^® is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, inclusive living, and family support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant organization that has grown from one original chapter to nearly 3,000 middle school, high school, and college chapters worldwide. Today, Best Buddies’ 12 formal programs — Elementary Schools, Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, e-Buddies®, Jobs, Ambassadors, Promoters, Transitions, Inclusive Living and Eunie’s Buddies— engage participants in each of the 50 states and in 45 countries, positively impacting the lives of nearly one million people with and without disabilities around the world. In many cases, as a result of their involvement with Best Buddies, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities secure rewarding jobs, live on their own, become inspirational leaders, and make lifelong friendships. For more information, please visit bestbuddies.org or connect with us via Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Media Inquiries
Best Buddies International
Nicole Maddox
Vice President, Communications
NicoleMaddox@Bestbuddies.org