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My 2026 BIG G Classic weekend started with the unofficial kickoff party hosted by @theofficialbrand1 and turned into a weekend full of LOVE, FAMILY, FRIENDS, and COMMUNITY.

I normally come to the Classic just to enjoy a weekend of basketball and financially support, but this year I told @qoolyuhself and the @_bgc518 committee, “I want to sell some books 📚.” And I’m so glad I did! I even left my table for a few to do a Podcast episode with the folks at @catchmeafter5ive which was an amazing experience (so glad we scheduled that). Thank you to my wife and kids for holding down the table while I was gone.

Thank you for the 2026 BIG G Classic Community Award and the Citation from @mayordorceyapplyrs and the City of Albany. Truly grateful for the RECOGNITION and all the love shown throughout the weekend. 🙏🏾

This is LEGACY. This is HIStory. Keep striving for GREATNESS 🏁

#JustAKidFromArborHill📚
#TheBACKCommunity

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As we close out this powerful episode and conversation with @theofficialtyrellhughes

Vell asks: When you look at Albany as a whole, what do you think the city has gotten right? And what opportunities do you see to better serve the next generation?

Tyrell may hate politics, but he loves people. When asked what Albany has gotten right, he pointed to the election of Mayor Dorcey and gave a special shoutout to the “Boss.” 👏🏾

Tyrell believes Mayor Dorcey is the right person to bring Albany’s different cultures and communities together, something he says the city truly needs.

Tyrell also points to a weakness within Albany: its own people do not always support one another. But he believes those weaknesses can become strengths when the community comes together, supports one another, and builds from within.

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We had an incredible Financial Literacy Workshop last week!💲📊

Thank you to all the Scholars who joined in and took the opportunity to learn about financial tools, foundations, salary negotiation tips, and understanding offers and benefits. Investing in this knowledge now sets you up for a stronger financial future!

A huge thank you to ASF mentors and financial professionals Tyrell Hughes and Hurley Doddy for leading such engaging sessions and sharing your expertise with our Scholars. Your guidance made a real impact! 🙌

#abramsonscholar #financialliteracy #financialplanning #collegestudent

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Tyrell had to adjust to being colorblind at a young age, so he learned early how to laugh at the moments that came with it.

Fast forward to fatherhood. He went car seat shopping thinking he picked out gray.

It was PINK.

Once the kids caught on, Dad became the family color quiz. “Dad, what color is THIS?”

Kids will find your weak spot and turn it into a lifetime subscription of jokes.

CMA5 Episode 14 | Tyrell Hughes
Full episode out now. Link in bio.

#CMA5 #CatchMeAfter5ive #TyrellHughes #Fatherhood #dadlife❤️

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Vell thought he could sneak some late night McDonald’s while the kids were asleep.

DoorDash said, “Not tonight.”

Driver rang the bell. Receipt stayed on the bag. Kids woke up with EVIDENCE.

Now Vell’s defending his order while getting guilt tripped for not buying everybody food.

Fatherhood lesson: If you’re going to be sneaky, at least destroy the receipt.

CMA5 Episode 14 | Tyrell Hughes
Full episode out now. Link in bio.

#CMA5 #CatchMeAfter5ive #DadLife #Fatherhood #PodcastClips

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At Author & Illustrator Day at Giffen, the boys weren’t just listening to Tyrell Hughes. They were watching him.

The confidence. The style. The way he carried himself. He looked like the culture they knew, while showing them what focus, ownership, and success can look like.

Tyrell even shared how students caught him after school just to grab a picture. That’s when you realize presence is part of the impact.

Sometimes representation doesn’t need a speech. Sometimes kids just need to see somebody and think, “I can do that too.”

CMA5 Episode 14 | Tyrell Hughes
Full episode out now. Link in bio.

#CMA5 #CatchMeAfter5ive #TyrellHughes #RepresentationMatters #AlbanyNY YouthEmpowerment BlackAuthors BlackEntrepreneurs

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Shelle missed Episode 14 because Chris Brown was in town. That immediately had Vell questioning these R&B concerts where Chris Brown and Usher get a little too interactive with the ladies.

Then Tyrell casually dropped: “My wife went.”

No drama. Just trust, good vibes, and apparently a few hilarious rules and regulations beforehand. And yes, his wife made sure he got the FULL play by play afterward.

Marriage + R&B concerts = terms and conditions may apply.

CMA5 Episode 14 with Tyrell Hughes is OUT NOW | Link in bio

Fellas, your lady went to the Chris Brown concert. Were you secure about it?

#CMA5 #CatchMeAfter5ive #TyrellHughes #ChrisBrown #Usher PodcastClips

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This weekend's line-up for @djmr.ceo_official

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Tune in as I interview Author @theofficialtyrellhughes ! This video consists of me asking about the start of his journey as an Author, what’s his favorite and least favorite thing about being an Author, what are his Books about and how they correlate, what are some talents he could’ve invested in besides being an Author, who or what inspires him to keep going when he doesn’t feel like being an Author, and last but not least a powerful message to any upcoming Authors like himself 🗣️‼️

#fyp #explore #author #interview #albanyny

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What a weekend! Year 6 of the Big G Classic Community Weekend was another one for the books. Each year we strive to get better as event organizers to make sure everyone has a fun, safe, and memorable time.

As always, there were a lot of memorable moments over the weekend, but three stood out to me:

#1 The Dunk — This will go down as another viral moment in Big G Classic & Albany Basketball history. Shoutout to @flee_1k for creating that moment — those “were you there” memories are what this is all about.

#2 The Proclamation — Team BGC and our family received a proclamation from the City of Albany, officially recognizing Big G Classic Weekend! Thank you, Mayor Applyrs @mayordorceyapplyrs for showing love and appreciation for the work we’ve put in.

#3 The Middle School Championship Game — This showed the upcoming pool of talent we have across the board in Albany. The future is bright.

As always, this event could not be done without the BGC Staff, who volunteer their time and have been around since 2021. Thank you for your willingness to be a part of Team BGC.

We’d like to recognize the following people and organizations for their contribution to our success:

SPONSORS
Hold Up Roll Up
Bridge Tha Gap
A Village
Warren & Denyse Mackey Foundation
Supreem Sports USA
Alert Partnership

VENDORS
Harlow’s Haven
Aalia Oils
Wally’s Water Ice
Piff’s BBQ
Slayed By Nay
Main Squeeze
JaDuMor’
Empanada Queen/Empanada Icees
What’s Tea
Boricua Soul
The Caribbean Kitchen
All My Children
Hood House of Lemonade (It’s a Hood Juice Thang)
Uncs on the Grill (Hood Habachi)
Flay Chef: Food & Entertainment
Chef Coop
Ma’s Gourmet
Label Me Fancy

COMMUNITY PARTNERS
The BACK Community, LLC Educational Services
UAlbany Basketball Athletics Program
SNUG
Brighter Choice Charter School
Aryloom (Sunday)
APD
NYS Troopers
4th Family @4thfamily

SPECIAL THANKS
Refs
APD
NYS Troopers
Albany Sheriff Department
Mayor Dorcey Applyrs
UAlb Men’s Basketball Team @ualbany_mbb
Utica Men’s Basketball @uticambb
Our DJ’s
Teams
Coaches
Family & Fans
Capital Region Kipp High School
DGS @albany_dgs
Gerald Malcolm @gknymentorprogram
Decky, Coach Doodie

@bestframeforward 📸

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🏀 GAME DAY EVE! Tomorrow is officially OPENING DAY for the Big G Classic! 🔥

First tip-off at 9:00AM sharp — let’s fill these stands and bring the energy from game one! 💪

📋 Full schedule and event policies are posted — please give them a read before you arrive
🪪 IDs will be checked at security’s discretion — 18+ required for entry, anyone under 18 must be with a guardian

See you courtside! Let’s go! 🏆👏

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