Georgia Spartans owner discusses the Atlanta Turkey Classic’s growth, community partnerships, and providing 600 turkeys to families in need
For 13 years, Jerell Shearin has been perfecting the art of bringing people together through basketball and community service. As the owner of Georgia Spartans, he leads one of Atlanta’s most impactful annual traditions, the Atlanta Turkey Classic, an event that blends entertainment with essential holiday support. What started as a simple roadside food giveaway has grown into a full scale community celebration that serves hundreds of families each November. Through partnerships with local organizations and sponsors, Shearin has built something bigger than a basketball game. It’s a family reunion, a health fair, an art showcase, and a lifeline for those who need it most during this holiday season.
We know this is the 13th year of the Atlanta Turkey Classic, but take us back. Give us the history. Give us what inspired this event in the first place.
One of my partners, Montana White, was actually on the side of the road just giving out food, and I was like, well, that’s great that you’re impacting the community, but let’s add a basketball game. We partnered with Streetz 94.5. We did the basketball game for entertainment, we got people in the community to come out, and we blessed them at the same time. So it was this great bond, 13 years ago.
Your work through Georgia Spartans is rooted in service. What does this event represent for you personally in terms of giving back?
We have a Christmas in Paradise where we focus on foster kids, so we give them a community dinner, we give them toys, and we give them a concert and then we have the Learn to Live. So the Learn to Live is actually a health fair and a fitness challenge with a basketball game. People come in, sign up for the basketball game, maybe we do a passport style, they make sure to get all the vitals, get information about anything medical. Because my mom’s a two time cancer survivor, it was important to me to actually give back to health and wellness. Then we do Art in the Park. So, Art in the Park is basically an art showcase that we do in DeKalb County and Fulton County, showcasing Black artists around the city. And of course, the major event is the Atlanta Turkey Classic and our 2K walk that we do in the summertime.
For someone attending for the first time, what can they expect at the Turkey Classic? From the game to the giveaways to community service activities, what can they expect?
We have a great lineup for it. We actually have MLK Band, the drumline’s going to perform at halftime. We have two dance off competitions. We’re going to have giveaways from Smoothie King. ADT’s giving a free alarm system, and you can sign up for an acre of land that we actually partnered with, that we’re giving away on December 14th. Now, as far as the food part, we’re giving over 400 to 600 turkeys, fresh produce to all the people, and we’re also going to give them gift cards and vouchers to help out.
The Turkey Classic has grown thanks to partnerships with leaders, sponsors, and organizations. What does this true collaboration look like when you’re serving the community?
It’s just a give back community feeling. It’s like a family reunion when you’re there, because we’re giving back, nobody’s worrying about, oh, I did this, I did that. It’s just everybody coming together to help out the community, feeding the community for the holidays. Just like what Thanksgiving’s about.
Can you tell us a story about the most memorable moment for you from the past 13 years that made you say, yes, this is why we’re doing this?
Pretty much, when we did it on Campbellton Road, we had a whole lot of senior citizens, and we was able to help them. We actually went to a senior center after the event and gave them 200 turkeys so they can have [some], just because they couldn’t make it out to the event itself because of transportation.
What’s something new and exciting that you’re bringing to this year’s Turkey Classic that people should look forward to?
I think it’s just the basketball game. We got a lot of celebrity coaches. We got John Abraham, we got Q from 112, going to be a partner. We got some ex NBA players, and we also have a whole lot of other surprises that we have in the building that people want to actually show up and give back during the season.
For viewers who want to support, whether through volunteering, donating, or attending, what’s the best way they can get involved?
We have three different ways. Of course, you can reach us out on Instagram, which is @GeorgiaSpartans. Our website for our basketball team is gaspartans.com. And our nonprofit is spartansreach.com. So you can go on there, click on the link, donate, or leave a message for me.
How do you hope the Turkey Classic continues to grow over the next decade? What legacy do you want this event to leave behind?
I actually want to keep growing it, but the legacy, I want to actually leave it to my family. I think family is very important. If they can have something they can always go back to, and you know what? Your dad, your uncle, your cousin, they started this great legacy of giving back to the community. I want to be like Hosea in Atlanta. I don’t know if I’m gonna get there, but I want to be like Hosea, and feed the family.
The 13th annual Atlanta Turkey Classic took place November 23rd at Atlanta Metropolitan State College, the event was free and open to the community.