HBCU To the Pros Night to Feature Special HBCU Band Performance from Prairie View A&M’s Marching Storm, Presented by Alaska Airlines
PORTLAND, Ore. (February 1, 2024) – The Portland Trail Blazers will celebrate Black history throughout the month of February with in-person events, community gatherings, educational opportunities for local youth, digital content, and more as they showcase amazing individuals uplifting the Black community within the Pacific Northwest and beyond. To learn more about the entire month, visit Trailblazers.com/BHM
"We’re so excited to kick off our Black History Month activities after many months of planning,” said Michelle Jalali, Director of DEI, Portland Trail Blazers. “We’ll have events throughout the entire month, including two special game night celebrations, restaurant takeovers, business markets, and more. Best of all, this year we’re doing HBCU to the Pros Night bigger and better than ever thanks to some help from our friends at Alaska Airlines as we fly in the incredible Prairie View A&M Marching Storm Band to give Rip City a small taste of the incredible HBCU experience. Don’t miss any of the amazing moments all month long.”
HBCU TO THE PROS WEEKEND PRESENTED BY ALASKA AIRLINES
The Trail Blazers are teaming up with Alaska Airlines to transform this year’s HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) to the Pros Night into an entire weekend celebration of the HBCU experience. Members of the famous Prairie View A&M (Prairie View, Texas) Marching Storm Band, led by Director of Bands Dr. Timmey Zachery, will fly to Portland, courtesy of Alaska Airlines, for a weekend of community interaction, celebration, and education. On Saturday, February 24 the band will perform at Junction Ave – a Black business event hosted by Self Enhancement, Inc. which will feature representatives from Alaska, the Trail Blazers, HBCU’s and local Black-owned businesses. On Sunday, February 25, both organizations will put on a pregame mixer featuring a career panel made up of current professionals who are HBCU alumni and members of fraternities and sororities of the Divine 9. As a final celebration of the weekend and HBCU culture, the Marching Storm will provide Rip City an incredible halftime performance during the February 25 game versus Charlotte.
CELEBRATION OF BLACK HISTORY NIGHT PRESENTED BY TICKETMASTER
On February 10, the Trail Blazers will host their annual Celebration of Black History, presented by Ticketmaster, when the team takes on the New Orleans Pelicans. The night will feature special performances from local Black artists, concourse activations and displays, engagement with community, support for local nonprofits, and more. Portland Opportunities Industrialization Center and Rosemary Anderson High School (POIC + RAHS) has been selected as the Community Partner of the night and will directly benefit from the night’s fundraising efforts. Fans can purchase a keepsake from the night with the special retail item of the night from local Black maker Bleached by Josh.
RESTAURANT TAKEOVERS Rip City can join the Trail Blazers in supporting a pair of the many amazing Black-owned restaurants throughout Portland during the organization’s two February restaurant takeovers. On February 3, join the organization at Po’Shines Cafe De La Soul (8139 N Denver Ave.) from Noon – 2:00 p.m. Later in the month, the Blazers will head to Trap Kitchen (8 NW 6th Ave.) on February 17 from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. At each takeover, members of the organization will open a tab to cover the cost of select items for fans, provide giveaways and chances to win prizes. Additionally, a limited supply of special edition HBCU hoodies will be available for purchase at a pop-up retail shop at the Trap Kitchen takeover on the 17th.
DIGITAL CONTENT
Throughout the month, catch amazing videos and social posts showcasing Black leaders throughout the Portland community, within the Trail Blazers organization, and beyond. Some familiar local faces will be seen, including DJ O.G. One, City of Roses Disposal & Recycling, Stony Wines, and more. This content series serves as an opportunity to inform and educate Rip City on the amazing group of Black leaders that reside within our community and help to make it thrive.
Keep an eye out on Trail Blazers social media channels, game broadcasts on ROOT SPORTS, and Trailblazers.com for more information on Black History Month celebrations and opportunities to engage with the organization and community.