Member Black History Month Showcase 2022

A recap of what Pro Sports Assembly members did to celebrate and support Black History Month:

Arizona Coyotes 

The Arizona Coyotes hosted a ten-week mentorship program for approximately 30 students enrolled in sports business programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Coyotes staff constructed, decorated, and stocked a library full of books featuring characters of color and ethnicity. They also donated art supplies and their mascot, Howler, spent the afternoon interacting with students at Advance U Elementary. The Arizona Coyotes also hosted a panel discussion focused on increasing access to careers in sports for Black professionals, as well as conducted a month-long campaign honoring Black Arizona leaders and trailblazers. Lastly, four Directors and Executive-level staff contributed to the creation of the Arizona Pro Sports Diversity Coalition, focused on leveraging the collective power of professional sports in Arizona to increase diversity in the field.

https://www.nhl.com/coyotes/community/bhm

Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks spent Black History Month aiding the battle against prostate cancer, particularly in African American men. Throughout the month of February, Atlanta's NBA franchise donated $250 to the prostate cancer foundation for every assist registered by a Hawks player.

https://www.nba.com/hawks/bhm-assist-challenge/2022

Austin FC

To show their support during Black History Month, Austin FC shared the stories of the Club's Black players, supporters, and staff members, providing a platform for them to speak in their own words about personal, meaningful experiences. These conversations included Nnedinma Obiwuru, Austin FC Assistant Video Performance Analyst Mac Orr, Austin FC Fan Experience Coordinator Bryan Woodfork and La Murga de Austin Capo and Los Verdes Starting XI Member Imani Williams.

https://www.austinfc.com/news/verde-proud-black-history-month

Cavaliers Operating Group

In recognition of Black History Month, the Cleveland Cavaliers used home games in February and 2022 All-Star Weekend in Cleveland to showcase and amplify ongoing team initiatives that celebrate black history and culture, invest in black futures, highlight black business and entrepreneurship and inspire the Racial Justice Movement through the use of special video presentations on the "Humongotron" team social media channels, radio game broadcasts, and shows. As part of February's Black Heritage Celebration, the Cleveland Monsters partnered with filmmaker Steven Matthew Hoffer to promote the immersive feature documentary "The Cannons". The film follows the day-to-day lives of Coach Neal Henderson and his team of young African American hockey players in the longest-serving minority hockey program in North America, the Fort Dupont Hockey Cannons in Washington DC.

https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/releases/bhc-220204#:~:text=CLEVELAND%2C%20February%203rd%2C%202022%20%2D%2D,Indiana%20Pacers%20at%20Rocket%20Mortgage

Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys created a series of thought-provoking videos of what Black History Month means to the players, dancers, and cheerleaders. These included defensive tackle, Neville Gallimore and cornerback, Chidobe Awuzie; the Dallas Cowboys Rhythm & Blue dancers, Candace and Barney; and Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader Jada.

https://www.dallascowboys.com/2021/black-history-month/

Dallas Mavericks

To honor Black History and inspire future change-makers, the Dallas Mavericks encouraged students to create and submit a visual medium that interprets the beliefs of past and present black leaders and how they inspired others to unite and join hands for justice. Students in the 8th-12th grade in the DFW area submitted their art for a chance to win AA Advantage points to visit a location rich in Black History and have their art featured on the concourse during a Dallas Mavericks Home Game and be recognized on the court with a Dallas Mavericks player.

https://www.mavs.com/blackhistory/

Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment (HBSE)

The Philadelphia 76ers created a short-form video series where 76ers players, alumni, front office staff and ENT share the inspirations in both their personal and professional lives. These include conversations from Elton Brand, Danny Green, Doc Rivers, Antoine Mapp, Latifa West, Damon Holley, Ben Simmons, Jordan Eldridge, Tobias Harris, and Matisse Thybulle.

https://www.nba.com/sixers/bhm-inspirations

The New Jersey Devils hosted their annual "Hockey is For Everyone" initiative, in which they held a private screening of Willie, a story of the first black hockey player in the NHL. Fifty percent of Proceeds will benefit the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). During the game, they will also highlight key moments in black hockey history and Devils' hockey history.

https://www.nhl.com/devils/news/release-devils-to-host-annual-black-history-night-on-feb-11/c-314762084

Houston Dynamo & Houston Dash

To celebrate black history month, the Houston Dynamo took a look at the journey of Dynamo legend Corey Ashe. The article talks about Corey Ashe's amazing career with the Houston Dynamo, his life afterward as well as his belief in chance, he states, "For change to happen, people must be willing to not only use their voice but also to be quiet and listen. People of color experience a lot of things. Telling them to be quiet or just focus on sports does not fix the problem." He hopes to bring out the best version of the players he works with.

https://www.houstondynamofc.com/news/corey-ashes-passion-fitness-and-game-fuels-post-playing-career

Ilitch Sports & Entertainment

The Detroit Redwings partnered with the Boys & Girls Club of Southeastern Michigan Fashion & Merchandising Industry Club to celebrate Black History Month. Club members created designs that commemorate black history and hockey. One design was put onto shirts that feature a silhouette with red lettering representing the name of every Black player that has been drafted, signed, or played for the Red Wings throughout their history and is sold at DetroitRedWings.com/Equality with proceeds benefiting the BGCSM and the Detroit Red Wings Foundation. They also honored one community member per week in February who is making a profound difference in youth education, youth wellness or hockey and baseball/softball participation within the Black Community.

https://www.nhl.com/redwings/news/lgrw-daily-red-wings-to-celebrate-black-history-month-during-february/c-320974382

Los Angeles Rams

The LA Rams partnered with Intuit Quickbooks and Mailchimp to provide grants for Black-owned certified businesses in Inglewood. They also posted articles for black history month staff showcases, which gives a great in-depth look into their career and beliefs.

https://www.therams.com/news/rams-black-history-month-staff-showcase-artis-twyman

Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins brought to Instagram and Twitter to bring attention to black history month, as well as their year-round support of black-owned businesses and continued work in South Florida with the hashtag #FootballUnites.

Major League Baseball (MLB)

The MLB acknowledged the contributions of African-American players who had a pivotal role in the advancement of baseball, including Hall of Famers, team leaders, fan favorites and union stalwarts. The MLB created some tremendous graphics that showcase these pivotal legends in history.

https://www.mlbplayers.com/black-history-month-2020

National Lacrosse League (NLL)

The NLL celebrated black history month by creating a video with NLL's Devan Kaney who had intimate conversations with players on topics like diversity and inclusion in the NLL. This video included personal stories of Latrell Harris, Josh Byrne, and Dhane Smith and the struggle of often being one of few people of color in their team and being racially profiled. It is truly an inspiring video that shows the importance of belonging and inclusion.

https://www.nll.com/news/nll-feature-a-game-of-inclusion/

Pegula Sports and Entertainment

The Buffalo Bills Foundation partnered with the Buffalo Sabres Foundation, Perry's Ice Cream, who matched the first $20,000, and five local organizations to address food equity in Black and African- American communities through the program Better Together fundraiser. Collectively they raised over $170,000 for these communities and they continue to encourage fans to donate and support these incredible organizations.

https://bettertogetherbuffalo.org/give/give716/black-history-month/2022

San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers joined teams around the league by partnering up with Visa to give away two $10,000 grants to Black-owned small businesses hit hard by the pandemic. In addition to giving away grants with Visa, the 49ers B.U.I.L.D., the organization's black resource group, spotlighted 14 local Black-owned businesses. They also released two new podcasts, featuring two members of the front office staff, Keiana Martin and Nana Yaw.

https://www.49ers.com/news/black-history-month-recap

San Antonio Spurs

Spurs Give and Spurs Young Professionals hosted Black Heritage Month Cook-off & Celebration by partnering up with San Antonio for Growth on the Eastside (SAGE), a local nonprofit organization. The free event hosted six extraordinary Black-owned food trucks to compete with the winner being featured at the 2022 Taste the Dream Gala.

https://www.poundingtherock.com/2022/1/29/22895428/spurs-give-to-host-black-heritage-month-cook-off

Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers brought their appreciation for black history month onto social media; on Facebook in which they had several posts that showcased their hard-working members in the front office, as well as a painting of the most important African American baseball players.

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