Seven teams join Kings, Bucks in Team Up for Change summit to fight racial injustice
The Kings first teamed up with the Milwaukee Bucks to fight for change after both organizations were confronted by acts of alleged injustice in their respective communities in the spring of 2018. The national discourse has grown considerably since then and so has the coalition of NBA teams willing to use their platforms to promote social justice and equality.
The Kings and Bucks will partner with seven other NBA and WNBA teams to host the third Team up for Change summit Oct. 21. The Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx, Indiana Pacers and Fever, Dallas Mavericks and Wings and Cleveland Cavaliers will join the Kings and Bucks in addressing issues of police brutality, criminal justice reform, economic empowerment and diversity. The summit will be followed by a Week of Action featuring virtual and socially distanced in-person events for teens and young adults ages 14-24 in Sacramento, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Indianapolis, Dallas and Cleveland, all in partnership with community organizations and local leaders.
“On behalf of the entire Kings organization, we are tremendously humbled and proud to grow the Team Up for Change platform, expanding this urgent conversation across the country to address systemic racism,” Kings owner Vivek Ranadive said in a news release. “It is incumbent upon us all to take a stand for justice, equity and equality, and further commit to investing in transformative and sustainable change for our Black communities.”
The Kings and Bucks partnered to host the first Team Up for Change summit in Sacramento, where Stephon Clark was fatally shot by police in March 2018. The second was held in Milwaukee, where Bucks guard Sterling Brown was tazed and arrested while being cited for a parking violation in May 2018.
Earlier this year, the Kings and Bucks received the 2020 NBA Inclusion Innovation Award, which recognizes a specific innovative program that advances inclusive practices. Now they are collaborating with seven other teams to offer an expanded, multi-day, multi-city experience featuring a livestreamed virtual summit, community activations in team markets and a nine-part online content series.
“We are excited and proud to add more teams and perspectives to the growing Team Up for Change platform,” Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry said. “This important initiative enables our voices to unite and inspire conversation around the injustices in our community. Our goal is to activate and make a longstanding, positive impact in the areas of police accountability and criminal justice reform.”
This story was originally published September 3, 2020 at 8:00 AM.
