NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley to Keynote Porter-Billups Leadership Academy Gala

The Porter-Billups Leadership Academy announced today that NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley will serve as keynote speaker at its 2025 gala on July 26 at the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center in Aurora.

Barkley, an 11-time NBA All-Star and 1993 NBA Most Valuable Player, will be interviewed by Portland Trail Blazers Head Coach and PBLA Co-Executive Director Chauncey Billups during the event. The gala will raise funds for the academy's summer programs serving students in grades 3-12.

"We are honored to have 'Sir Charles' join us as the keynote speaker this year," Billups from the Porter-Billups Leadership Academy said in announcing Barkley's participation.

During his 16-season NBA career, Barkley was selected to 11 All-NBA teams and named one of the NBA's Top 50 Players of All Time in 1996. He won gold medals as a member of the U.S. Olympic basketball teams in 1992 and 1996. Barkley was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006 and currently works as a television analyst.

The gala will begin with registration and a silent auction from 5:30-7 p.m., followed by dinner, the program and live auction from 7-9:30 p.m. Business or cocktail attire is requested. 

The Porter-Billups Leadership Academy was established in 1996 by Regis University Men's Basketball Head Coach Lonnie Porter and his daughter, Staci Porter-Bentley. The organization partners with NBA player Chauncey Billups, who joined as a supporter in 2006.

The academy provides summer programming on the Regis University campus focused on character development through academic curriculum and career exposure for young leaders. Proceeds from the gala support these summer programs. 

Registration for the gala is available at porterbillups-denver.org/gala.

A companion golf tournament will be held July 28 at Cherry Creek Country Club. Ticket information is available at https://aesbid.org/ELP/PBLAGOLF25/EventInfo.

EVENT DETAILS: PBLA GALA Date: July 26, 2025 Location: Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center, 6700 North Gaylord Rockies Boulevard, Aurora, CO 80019 Time: 5:30 p.m. registration; 7 p.m. dinner and program.