Saturday, November 21, 2026
A Little Old Bay. A Lot of Purpose.
An Intimate Evening of Fellowship, Connection & Impact
Saturday, November 21, 2026 | 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM EST | Roswell, Georgia
Good People. Meaningful Conversations. A Shared Purpose.
Join The Jordan McNair Foundation for a special gathering bringing together University of Maryland alumni, Georgia community leaders, friends, and supporters united by a shared commitment to student-athlete safety.
From Maryland to Georgia, Jordan's Legacy Lives On.
In June 2018, Jordan McNair, a 19-year-old University of Maryland football student-athlete, passed away following exertional heat stroke.
His passing exposed preventable failures in student-athlete safety.
Today, The Jordan McNair Foundation honors his life through awareness, education, prevention, and advocacy.
Our mission is to protect student-athletes by equipping parents, coaches, schools, and young athletes with the knowledge and resources necessary to prevent catastrophic sports-related injuries.
What began as one family's mission has grown into a movement reaching communities throughout Maryland, Georgia, and beyond.
Your hosts
The people behind
the first list.
The room is intentionally personal. Everyone there is part of the beginning — not an audience, not a ticket buyer, but a founding circle.
Hosted by
Marty McNair
Father of Jordan McNair, founder of The Jordan McNair Foundation, and one of the nation's leading voices on student-athlete safety.
Co-hosted by
Rick Hancock
The Cigar Chamber of Commerce begins with a simple belief: some of the best business relationships get built slowly, over a cigar, when nobody is in a hurry.
Founding circle
You were on the first list.
That means something. The First Burn is the first room in a community built to return, reconnect, and make a little good together.
A fundraiser with
room to breathe.
CIGARS
COCKTAILS
REAL CONVERSATION
✳
The mission stays visible without taking over the room. The goal is to make it easy to understand why you are there — and natural to decide how you want to help.
Grab a cigar, a drink, a bite to eat, and a good chair
Walk in, meet the room, and let the evening start naturally.
Why this room matters
Marty will share why he is bringing this first gathering to life.
Athlete safety beyond the scoreboard
A real conversation about recognizing heat illness, building emergency action plans, and speaking up before it is too late.
A clear look at the work
A no-pressure look at what The Jordan McNair Foundation does and how you can be part of it.
Stay in the room
Cigars stay lit, glasses stay full, and the room does what it is here to do: connect, talk business, and build something.
Maryland Roots. A Growing Commitment to Georgia.
Georgia is one of TJMF's key states of impact.
Through relationships with schools, community organizations, youth sports programs, and strategic partners, we continue to strengthen student-athlete safety throughout the state.
30+ Educational Clinics & Sessions
More than 30 heat-related injury prevention clinics and educational sessions conducted across Georgia.
Parent & Coach Education
Helping adults recognize heat-related risks, understand emergency response procedures, and create safer athletic environments.
Student-Athlete Development
Programs that strengthen leadership, resilience, self-advocacy, and preparation beyond the game.
Strategic Partnerships
Our work includes a meaningful partnership with the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, helping advance student-athlete safety education throughout Georgia.
Awareness. Education. Prevention.
Good People. Meaningful Conversations. A Shared Purpose.
Some of the most meaningful relationships begin with a conversation.
This salon brings together people connected through Maryland roots, Georgia relationships, and a shared commitment to protecting student-athletes.
Guests will enjoy:
Fellowship with Maryland alumni and Georgia community leaders.
Meaningful conversations and relationship-building.
A personal update from Marty McNair.
A look at TJMF's impact and vision for 2027.
An opportunity to support programs that protect student-athletes and prepare families.
A Little Maryland Flavor. A Whole Lot of Purpose.
This is not a traditional fundraising gala. It's an intimate gathering where relationships, conversation, and philanthropy come together.
You Don't Have to Attend to Make an Impact.
Whether you're joining us in Roswell or supporting us from afar, you can help advance Jordan's legacy.
Your generosity supports student-athlete safety education, parent and coach training, emergency preparedness, and programs that empower young athletes.
Together, we're creating safer environments for the next generation of student-athletes.
Every gift matters. Your support makes our work possible.
Can't Attend? You Can Still Be Part of the Impact.
The opportunity to support student-athlete safety extends beyond the evening itself.
Join Us for an Evening of Purpose.
Saturday, November 21, 2026 | 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM EST | Roswell, Georgia
We look forward to gathering for an afternoon of fellowship, meaningful conversation, and shared purpose.
Please RSVP so we can prepare for your arrival.
The full event address and additional details will be provided following registration.
Unable to Join Us?
You can still be part of the impact.
A Little Maryland Flavor. A Lasting Impact.
Jordan's legacy continues to connect people across communities and generations.
Together, we're building a future where student-athletes are better protected, parents are better informed, and coaches are better prepared.
The evening gives us a reason to gather. The mission gives us a reason to stay connected.
The Jordan McNair Foundation
© 2026