On September 20, 2014, New Yorkers held a memorial service for Ruby Dee, the legendary award-winning actress, poet, wife to award-winning actor Ossie Davis, civil rights activists, mother, grandmother, friend, neighbor, and mentor. Yes, as you will see in this video, Ms. Dee was all that and more.

In this video are friends, acquaintances, neighbors, and admirers, who all bring Ms. Dee to life with their words and through hers.

Some of the celebrities that can be seen in this video are: are former NYC Mayor David N. Dinkins, Sonia Sanchez, Phylicia Rashad, Glynn Turman, Tyne Daly, Lynn Whitfield, Kim Fields, S. Epatha Merkerson, and Alicia Keys.

WATCH VIDEO: Scenes from Ruby Dee's Memorial Service

Videographer: Alexis Williams

Newly-minted Brooklyn Nets head coach Lionel Hollins was on hand to support the team's point guard Deron Williams' 5th Annual Celebrity Dodge Barrage. Held at Basketball City near the South Street Seaport, the charity event is Williams' signature fundraising event to support the Point of Hope Foundation.

Brooklyn Nets point guard Deron Williams talking with reporters at his 5th Annual Celebrity Dodge Barrage. Photo Credit: Clyde Davis/What's The 411 Networks

All proceeds from the event will benefit the Point of Hope Foundation and Brooklyn's League Education and Treatment Center which will utilize the funds to expand the existing playground that will be named the Deron Williams Playground after completion.

Brooklyn Nets teammates that were in the house included Jarrett Jack, Andrei Kirilenko, and FIBA World Cup gold medalist Mason Plumlee. This was Mason's second year at the dodge ball charity event and he fully expected to be a repeat dodge ball champion.

WATCH VIDEO WITH COACH HOLLINS

Brooklyn Nets point guard Deron Williams held his 5th Annual Celebrity Dodge Barrage to raise money to help autistic children. Held at Basketball City near the South Street Seaport, the charity event is Williams' signature fundraising event to support the Point of Hope Foundation.

All proceeds from the event will benefit the Point of Hope Foundation and Brooklyn's League Education and Treatment Center which will utilize the funds to expand the existing playground that will be named the Deron Williams Playground after completion.

Brooklyn Nets teammates that were in the house included Jarrett Jack, Andrei Kirilenko, and FIBA World Cup gold medalist Mason Plumlee. This was Mason's second year at the dodge ball charity event and fully expected to be a repeat dodge ball champion.

Ms. MJ Pedone, CEO/Founder, Indra Public Relations, and organizer of Brooklyn Nets point guard Deron Williams' 5th Annual Dodge Barrage, talks to What's The 411Sports host Glenn Gilliam about the charity event to support the Point of Hope Foundation, Deron Williams' commitment to New York, and her upcoming projects.

What's The 411Sports first met MJ Pedone at a Justin Tuck celebrity charitable event. From that point, we have seen firsthand that Indra Public Relations is at the heart of everything sports, lifestyle and entertainment. And, MJ Pedone executes high pressure events with such style and grace and makes it seem effortless.

Listen to Glenn Gilliam's interview with MJ Pedone.

New York Giants Walter Thurmond hosted a cocktail party in celebration of the launch of the Walter Thurmond Foundation for Arts and Education, in partnership with United Way of New York City's ReadNYC, Pros for Africa, and Impact Repertory Theater. Invited guests included fellow New York Giants Quintin Demps and educator, artist, poet, writer, producer, director, Jamal Joseph among others.

What's The 411's host and fashion reporter, Jacinda Motton, checked out Walter Thurmond's fashion for the evening and reporter Chris Graham talked to Walter about his charitable venture, the Walter Thurmond Foundation.

What are Walter Thurmond's aspirations and dreams for the Walter Thurmond Foundation.

"I'm just trying to support different programs that really cater to the youth both domestically and internationally those are the biggest needs," said New York Giants cornerback Walter Thurmond. "The youth are our future, they need to get the best education out there possible."

Impact Repertory Theater at the Launch of the Walter Thurmond Foundation for Arts and Education. Photo Credit: Alexis Williams/What's The 411 Networks

So what's the message you want to give to young people?

"..to believe all your dreams can come true and really go out there and work for those dreams," Thurmond responded. "I am a living testament to that situation. I just want to inspire the younger generation to achieve any goals that they have."

Interesting enough, Walter Thurmond is supporting arts and education, but did not play any instruments or focused on art as a kid growing up. Just straight up football.

"..just straight football, but I have a big fascination with film and everything like that," he said. "I have been fortunate to start my own film company and I have a couple of projects that we've been working on so that's where arts and education come in... really just trying to encourage kids to do whatever their dreams are."

 WATCH VIDEO: Walter Thurmond Launches Walter Thurmond Foundation for Arts and Education

New York Giants safety Quintin Demps stopped by the launch of the Walter Thurmond Foundation for Arts and Education to support his friend and teammate, Walter Thurmond.

What's The 411Sports reporter Chris Graham couldn't let Demps get by without asking him about the NFL preseason.

"Preseason is cool, man" Quintin Demps responded. "I think it went well. I did some good things, there are some things that I could have done better, but it's over with now, it's time to get down to the regular season."

"You beat the (New England) Patriots last week," Chris stated.

"That's good man," Demps responded. "We went five and O in the preseason so that's always a good thing."

If you're wondering if Demps is working with the Walter Thurmond Foundation for Arts and Education, Demps made it very clear, it's all about support.

Demps said: "I don't really have a part, I'm here to support him, my teammate and my good friend...I'm here to support."

We heard you loud and clear, it's all about support.

That's a good thing.

WATCH VIDEO: Quintin Demps at Launch of Walter Thurmond Foundation for Arts and Education

At the launch event for the Walter Thurmond Foundation for Arts and Education, What's The 411Sports reporter Chris Graham had the great fortune to catch up with one of his heroes, artist, poet, director, producer, educator, and founder of Impact Repertory Theatre, Jamal Joseph.

Impact Repertory Theatre is a Harlem-based leadership training and creative arts organization open to young people in Harlem and all over the city. The organization gives free training in leadership, music, dance, drama, creative writing, and spoken word so that young people can create stories around their own lives. The performance and written materials are created by the young people from their own life experiences. The emphasis at Impact Repertory Theatre is on leadership and community service.

Members of the Impact Youth Repertory Theater at the Walter thurmond Foundation for Arts and Education. Photo Credit: Alexis Williams/What's The 411 Networks

According to Jamal Joseph, "the goal of Impact is not just to get every young person on stage, but to get every young person into college."

Joseph says, "we really think that when you combine that kind of activism with the creative arts that you are creating 'artivists' and that's the goal of Impact."

"Wow, creating something that's new, something that's different, something that's refreshing!", exclaimed Chris Graham.

Jamal Joseph introduced the leaders of Impact that help to operate the organization, as well as co-founder, Raymond Johnson.

A motto that runs through Impact is "Keep a positive thought because a positive thought cannot be denied, PEACE!"

WATCH VIDEO: Jamal Joseph and the Impact Repertory Theatre

Vivica A. Fox turned 50 years-old in July. So What's The 411 decided to pay tribute to the Kill Bill and Sharknado 2 star with our interview of Vivica at a Justin Tuck charity event in New York City. Stay tuned to the post-interview roundup, the What's The 411 hosts compliment Vivica Fox on her work ethic and her selfless contributions to the community.

 WATCH VIVICA A. FOX

Crystal L. Henderson Harris interviewed Vivica A. Fox