For the fourth consecutive year, Melo’s 4th Annual H.O.O.D. Movement Weekend in Baltimore was a big success. The event benefits children and families in Baltimore through The Carmelo Anthony Foundation.

The weekend kicked off on July 11th with the VIP/Welcome Dinner at Fogo de Chao Brazilian Steakhouse in Baltimore, Maryland. Sponsors, celebrities and Carmelo’s family and friends enjoyed a private reception, presented by Fogo de Chao, where special guests included Dallas Mavericks forward Josh Howard, platinum-selling rapper T.I., music executive Kevin Liles and other notable friends of Melo’s. National, regional and local corporate partners were on hand as well as the event served as a way to thank them for their support of Melo’s efforts in the community, the H.O.O.D. Movement activities in Baltimore and his Foundation.

The focal point of the weekend was the 3-on-3 Basketball Challenge and Family Day on July 12th at Cloverdale Park Courts in West Baltimore. More than 40 teams comprised of youths from nine to 15 years of age competed in the tournament and over 1,500 people enjoyed the day of activities at Cloverdale Park Courts. In addition to the action on the basketball court, attendees enjoyed the children’s games in the park, offerings from local food vendors, plenty of POWERade, music and much more. Among the many special guests joining Melo were Sam Cassell of the NBA Champion Boston Celtics and hip-hop artist Jadakiss.

Melo grew up playing on the courts at Cloverdale Park after moving to Baltimore when he was eight years old. “It's always good to give back," said Melo, "This is my home, this is my city. I can never forget where I came from." Once again, Melo lived up to that statement and provided a full day of fun for children and families in Baltimore.

The H.O.O.D. Movement Weekend concluded on Sunday, July 13th with Melo's Sports Legends Brunch and the unveiling of The Carmelo Anthony Exhibit at Sports Legends Museum at Camden Yards. Over 100 special guests, sponsors and Melo’s friends and family gathered at the Museum, which is located next to Oriole Park in downtown Baltimore. Those in attendance enjoyed brunch, provided by The Classic Catering People, and toured the Museum before witnessing the unveiling of the special exhibit. Melo, his mom, and the executive director of the Museum unveiled three separate cases dedicated to Melo. Until the unveiling, Melo wasn’t aware of what exact artifacts would be included in the exhibit as a number of pieces had been collected quietly from his mom and friends, along with the artifacts donated by Melo directly.

"Growing up here," said Melo, "I never would have thought in a million years I would come into a museum and see something that's mine."

Among the items featured in the exhibit, which is entitled “Baltimore to Beijing,” include photos and awards from his childhood days in Baltimore; his plaque for being named a finalist for Naismith Award honoring the nation’s top high school basketball player; his NCAA Championship ring from Syracuse; Melo’s Shoes from the 2004-2005 Rookie Challenge Game; his Team USA shorts from the 2004 Olympics; and the 2006 Sports Illustrated cover he shared with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.

Melo is the first basketball player in Baltimore history to have an exhibit in his honor created in the Museum that honors key individuals and teams from Baltimore.

"There's a lot of history in the Baltimore community in sports," Melo said, "and I'm glad I'm part of it."

Melo’s is already thinking about next year’s H.O.O.D. Movement Weekend and how he can top the excitement of this past weekend.

In 2005, Carmelo Anthony founded the H.O.O.D. (Holding Our Own Destiny) Movement 3 on 3 Challenge, a basketball tournament for boys and girls between the ages of 7-17 residing in the Baltimore area. The purpose of the H.O.O.D. Movement is to build community spirit in Baltimore by providing a day of excitement for the whole family to enjoy. Carmelo’s goal is to make an impact on the lives of Baltimore’s youth by returning each year with a bigger and better day of family fun! Proceeds from the event benefit The Carmelo Anthony Foundation. While Carmelo is recognized around the world, there are three communities for which he has extremely strong ties: Baltimore, Syracuse and Denver.

Over the past four years, more than 5,000 children and families from Baltimore and the surrounding areas have experienced the event designed to promote empowerment in young people. Using Baltimore as the model, Carmelo’s aspiration is to establish The H.O.O.D (Holding Our Own Destiny) Movement in cities throughout the country.