NBA works towards racial equality

The NBA and NBA Foundation have dedicated to empower the black community with new $300 million fund

BY NATALIE FALLS, STAFF WRITER

Due to the recent sociopolitical climate and the resurgence of racial tensions across the nation, the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the NBA Board of Governors contributed $300 million in funds to establish a new foundation that works towards opening up opportunities for members of the Black community.

The topic of systemic racism has been brought to the forefront of American discourse as the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement has gained support and brought to light many of the injustices that people of color (POC) face in society. It has also shown many sports organizations the lack of educational, employment and management opportunities that POC face. Thus, many sports organizations have taken action against racial inequality through promoting empowerment, social justice and equality.

As a renowned sports organization with millions of fans, the NBA recognized that they could use their unique public platform as a way to bring about a change in the Black community and bridge the social and economic gaps that are widened by racial injustice.

Along with the fund, the organization has created the NBA Foundation as a way to navigate economic empowerment for Black communities through occupation opportunities and advance financial situations to better the principles of justice and equality are imprinted in the organization.

The main focus point for the NBA Foundation in terms of greater economic opportunities are employment through three pivotal stages: obtaining a first job, securing employment after high school or college and advancing that employment. The organization aims to provide skills in training, mentorship and education in career-readiness as a way to better equip Black men and women, ensuring that they feel confident in their respective professional fields.

The foundation will also work with a number of local and national organizations dedicated to employment and education, such as youth employment, internship programs, job shadows, STEM fields, mentorship networks, career placement programs and apprenticeships. In addition, it will provide funding to the historically Black colleges and universites that they have partnered with as a way to extend their outreach and impact across all age demographics in the Black community.

“By focusing on the youth, the NBA opens more doors than ever for the Black community,” junior Alan Morffi said. “Education and employment are the two main factors of economic opportunities and if those factors are being instilled in young Black Americans, they might have better economic opportunities for years and generations to come.”

Aside from economic empowerment, the NBA Foundation strives to deepen the roots of the Black community within the organization by promoting social justice and racial equality. Numerous All-Stars — like Avery Bradley, Dwight Howard and Kyrie Irving—have established a coalition in order to advocate for racial equality and diversity in the NBA. They have dragged the NBA foundation’s mission of Black empowerment onto the basketball court by boastingmessages of justice on the backs of their jerseys saying “Education Reform,” “Black Lives Matter” and many more.

“Having a big platform as the NBA and WNBA is important to have a voice. As fans we look up to these athletes and having them speak up on what is happening around the world will teach fans to have a voice as well,” girl’s junior varsity basketball coach Katherin Mena said.

According to NBC News, these “missions have been front-and-center at the restart at Walt Disney World, where games are played on courts with “Black Lives Matter” on painted them and about 85% of players are choosing to have a social justice message on their jerseys for the remainder of the season.”

Ultimately, the NBA Foundation will work directly with all 30 teams, as each one will donate $1 million annually for 10 years in support of the cause. With this contribution and the foundation’s drive towards promoting economic empowerment in the Black community, the NBA hopes to create new educational and career furtherance opportunities for the Black individuals that will have a lasting impact for generations to come.