The evening honored an extraordinary group of individuals whose work and lives reflect the very heart of this mission. Billboard-charting artist Belly Gang Kush, TV Personality and relationship mentor Marcus Black, streamer/radio personality and recording artist AD, former basketball player & 5 Eleven Hoops founder Stacey McAlister, coach of the LA Clippers Amir Johnson, political organization the DIR Floortime Coalition, Christian Hale and Syx, were all honored and delivered powerful moments during the evening’s panel. Their words of encouragement, personal experiences, and honest advice resonated deeply throughout the room, leaving guests moved, motivated, and more committed to the cause than when they walked in.
Behind every detail of the evening, every honoree selected, every conversation sparked, and every dollar raised, stands one woman whose vision, sacrifice, and love have made this movement what it is. Deidre Price, CEO and Founder of The Price Life and Jayce’s Journey Inc., brought this night to life for the fourth consecutive year with the kind of purpose-driven leadership that does not just fill a room but moves it. What began as a deeply personal mission rooted in her own family’s journey with autism has grown into one of the most culturally significant awareness platforms.
The room itself was a testament to the cultural reach Price has built over the years. Among the additional notable guests in attendance were Roddy Rich, Chance the Rapper, Brooke Valentine, Miracle Watts, Tyler Lepley, and many more.
This year, Jayce’s Journey made an intentional choice to center the conversation around Black fathers. While mothers have long been the face of autism advocacy and deserve every ounce of recognition they receive, the 4th Annual Sneaker Gala placed the spotlight firmly on the men who are showing up every single day as vocal, mental, and physical champions for their children. These are fathers navigating a world that rarely makes space for their vulnerability, pushing through cultural stigma, carrying an enormous emotional and physical weight, and doing it all with love and resilience.
The urgency behind Jayce’s Journey is backed by numbers that demand attention and action. Autism affects 1 in 31 children in the United States. Black children are diagnosed later and less frequently than their peers, a disparity driven by systemic inequities and cultural barriers that continue to go unaddressed.
Guests were treated to a full, elevated experience throughout the evening. A live band kept the vibes going while a live auction gave attendees the opportunity to give back in real time. Signature D’usse and Gran Coramino cocktails kept the celebration flowing through a night that was equal parts glamorous and grounded.
Four years in, Jayce’s Journey is not slowing down but accelerating. What Deidre Price has built is rare, a movement with roots deep enough to hold the weight of a community that has been overlooked for too long, and branches wide enough to reach the culture, the courts, the stage, and the streets. The 4th Annual Sneaker Ball was a reminder that when fathers speak, when communities gather, and when purpose leads the room, something shifts. The silence is breaking. The journey continues.
Photo Credit: @princeofthegram
Photo Credit: @creatviemlb5