The Game Plan to Greatness Community Day is a free community empowerment event designed to bring families, youth, athletes, businesses and community organizations together for a day of connection, resources, wellness, mentorship and fun. The community day will be held at Festival Park, located at 225 Ray Ave., on June 13 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Event goers will have the opportunity to meet and greet two-time Super Bowl Cornerback champion Joshua Williams from the Tennessee Titans, along with running back Jaleel McLaughlin, Denver Broncos, and guard Kion Smith, Miami Dolphins. Photograph opportunities with Joshua Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin and Kion Smith will be available. Kwame Molden, cofounder and CEO of SPGBK (Spring Break), is a special guest of Game Plan to Greatness. The brand is deeply rooted in the culture of Fayetteville and celebrates historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Children under the age of 17 must be accompanied by an adult. ID will be checked to match registration. Game Plan to Greatness is a free event, but advanced registration is required. Visit https://bit.ly/4v81eLt to register. Participants need to sign a waiver prior to the event.
The Game Plan to Greatness Community Day was created for inspiration and the mentorship of youth. Family members have access to community resources, health, wellness, civic engagement, and positive and safe experiences within the Fayetteville community. Youth experiences include activities, community exhibitions and demonstrations.
Community impact is a large goal of Game Plan to Greatness. Through collaborations with businesses in the Cumberland County community, financial sponsorships, donations and volunteer support, this event is completely free for the community. Event goers will experience family activities, NFL players meet and greet, autographs, photo opportunities, vendors, youth games, youth activities, free haircuts and wellness services, food, entertainment and community exhibitions and demonstrations.
“Game Plan to Greatness is more than an event. It is a movement focused on empowering families, inspiring youth, and strengthening the community through connection, opportunity and service,” said Karen Clare and Chris Holden, GP2G-2 event coordinators. “Game Plan to Greatness Community Day was born from the vision that Josh Williams shared with his aunties Karen Clare and Tonia-Clare Jones, along with a fraternity brother, Chris Holden. What started as a conversation about giving back to the city that helped shape him quickly evolved into a powerful community movement which centered around sports, mentorships, wellness, opportunity and unity.”
Williams has multiple Super Bowl rings with the Kansas City Chiefs. He was drafted in 2022 and began making an impact on the team. His first recorded interception was against the San Francisco 49ers in a week 7 matchup that year.
The cornerback won back-to-back championships during his time with the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowls LVII and LVIII, recording a total of six tackles between the two games. He is a graduate of Jack Britt High School and Fayetteville State University. Williams is the first player from FSU to be drafted during the regular portion of the draft. He is currently playing for the Tennessee Titans.
“Josh’s goal has always been bigger than football. He wanted to create an experience where young people can see successful hometown athletes who look like them, connect with positive role models, and have access to resources, encouragement, and unforgettable experiences…. all completely free for the community. He wanted families to feel seen, supported and celebrated,” said Clare and Holden.
“We are deeply honored that Josh trusted us to help coordinate this event for the second year in a row. Putting on a completely free event of this magnitude is no easy task, but this labor of love is rooted in genuine community impact. Not everyone truly wants to ‘put on’ for the community the way Josh does.”
Willams will be joined at the event by Jaleel McLaughlin of the Denver Broncos and Kion Smith of the Miami Dolphins. McLaughlin is a native of Marshville, NC. Smith played football at Lumberton High School and FSU.
“To bring in two additional hometown talents like McLaughlin and Smith, who share the exact same vision of giving back, is what this event is about. These young men understand the importance of coming home, inspiring the next generation, and showing our youth that greatness can come from Fayetteville,” said Clare and Holden. ”Josh is such a humble, high-character individual whose purpose extends far beyond the field. His heart for service, leadership and community makes the event incredibly meaningful, and the city absolutely deserves this kind of positive investment, love and energy.”
Do not miss this opportunity to meet some local NFL stars and enjoy a day of family-friendly fun. Be part of a community celebration that inspires and uplifts. All ages are welcome. For more information, contact Karen Clare via email at gameplantogreatness@gmail.com.

(Joshua Williams, Super Bowl winning cornerback, signs autographs during the first Game Plan to Greatness event in Fayetteville. Williams and his friends created the event as a way to give back to his community. Photo courtesy of Game Plan to Greatness)