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#IAMCLE: Jon White & Tori Carras

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The Cleveland Cavaliers 13th annual Black Heritage Celebration (BHC) presented by Hennessy tips off on Wednesday, February 1st at the Cavs vs. Minnesota Timberwolves game at Quicken Loans Arena at 7:00 p.m. The BHC, a salute to Black History Month in February, recognizes the extraordinary past achievements of African Americans throughout history and celebrates those making a difference in the Cleveland community today.

The special night will begin a month-long celebration themed “Empowering and Inspiring One Generation to the Next.” Each theme night will honor African American visionaries and pioneers who inspired the youth of today. Featured will be the stories of NASA’s Annie Easley and Dr. Guy Bluford; Cuyahoga Community College’s year-long educational program about the achievements of Carl and Louis Stokes; and the great Muhammad Ali. The BHC will also provide young professionals with an ultimate learning experience through the Marcus Graham Project marketing workshop.

“The Cavaliers continue the tradition of the Black Heritage Celebration with a program built to honor African American visionaries of the past, spark conversation about the future and recognize those determined to make an impact today for the betterment of coming generations,” said Campy Russell, Cavaliers Legend and BHC committee leader.

Throughout the Black Heritage Celebration, the Cavs will showcase inspiring moments in African American history through interviews with Cavs players and legends, and special halftime tributes and performances. There will also be several community outreach initiatives throughout Black History Month (February) as Cavs front office team members volunteer their time and service to projects in Northeast Ohio.

Signature Black Heritage Celebration theme nights at Cavs game in February include:

February 1st vs Minnesota Timberwolves at 7:00 p.m.

The Cavs have teamed up with NASA to recognize African American trailblazers in the field of math and science with a special halftime tribute showcasing brilliance across generations in Cleveland. The team will tell the stories of the late Annie Easley, a NASA Hidden Figure* who worked at Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, as well as Dr. Guy Bluford, the first African American in space and Northeast Ohio resident. From Easley to Bluford and onward to the next generation of NASA thinkers and explorers, the halftime will celebrate diversity, excellence and ambition throughout history.

*The recent film, titled Hidden Figures, tells the story of some of NASA’s African-American female mathematicians who overcame social obstacles to help Ohioan John Glenn become the first American to orbit the Earth in his Friendship 7 spacecraft 55 years ago this month.

February 23rd vs New York Knicks at 8:00 p.m.

After celebrating the achievements of Mayor Carl Stokes and Congressman Louis Stokes last season, the Cavs will again empower fans to carry the Stokes vision forward by recognizing inspiring young leaders in the community during a special halftime ceremony. The night is part of the Tri-C “Stokes: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future” yearlong, community-wide commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Carl Stokes’ election as first black mayor of Cleveland and of any major U.S. city. Mayor Stokes and his brother, Congressman Louis Stokes, played key roles in the advancement of the city and the nation through the civil rights movement and beyond. For more information, visit stokes50cle.com.

February 25th vs Chicago Bulls at 8:30 p.m.

The Cavs will honor the legacy of Muhammad Ali - one of the most significant and celebrated sports figures of the 20th century - during a memorable halftime presentation. As part of the halftime, the team will pay homage to the 50th anniversary of a notable meeting in Cleveland, known as the “Ali Summit,” where Jim Brown brought together the top black athletes and leaders in the country (including Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Carl Stokes) in support of Ali’s personal decision to opt out of the Vietnam War draft.

February 27th vs Milwaukee Bucks at 7:00 p.m.

To conclude the month-long program, the Cavs will offer a culmination of the Black Heritage Celebration that will focus on how our community can continue to progress. The halftime will showcase Marcus Graham Project students participating in the Cavs 3rd Annual Sports Marketing Workshop (learn more below).

Cavs BHC Celebration Extends to the Classroom

In addition to the celebration on the court, the Cavs, in partnership with Hennessy, have again teamed up with the Marcus Graham Project (MGP) to host the 3rd Annual Sports Marketing Workshop. The workshop will take place February 24th through February 27th at Quicken Loans Arena. Workshop participants will receive first-hand knowledge from a panel of distinguished guests. One standout participant from the workshop will earn the opportunity to be sponsored by the Cavs and Hennessy to attend MGP's iCR8 Summer Boot Camp in Dallas, Texas.

The Marcus Graham Project is a network of diverse professionals formed with the purpose of developing the next generation of leadership by mentoring and training ethnically diverse men and women in all aspects of the advertising, media and marketing industry.

To learn more about the Cavaliers 13th annual Black Heritage Celebration workshop, visit www.cavs.com/bhc.

Tickets are always available at Cavs.com/Tickets, all season long to catch the action! Fans can keep up with the #CavsBHC by visiting Cavs.com/BHC and following the team on Twitter (@cavs), Instagram (@cavs), Facebook (Facebook.com/Cavs) and Snapchat (cavs).

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Empowering and Inspiring One Generation to the Next

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BHC Day of Service - Jan. 21

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Cleveland Cavaliers helped a true American hero share his “dream” with students at Cleveland’s Garfield Elementary School.  Purple Heart recipient, retired Army serviceman and current Wheelchair Cavalier member Darron Lewis spoke with students at the school about his life experiences.

He was joined by Cavs PA announcer Olivier Sedra and in-arena host Ahmaad Crump as part of the team’s Day of Service, through the NBA Cares “Hoops for Troops” program, presented by PlayStation.

The students then retreated to their classrooms, where they were greeted by Moondog and Sir C.C. who helped them with their Service Day project.  The kids shared their own “dreams” by writing letters to members of the four U.S. military branches that are currently serving overseas.  The Cavs will now mail the aspirational letters to the deployed Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines servicemen and women.

The Day of Service was also a part of the Cavs’ 11th annual Black Heritage Celebration, which began on Monday.

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Sharing Dreams During Day of Service

The Cleveland Cavaliers 11th annual Black Heritage Celebration (BHC) will tip off on Martin Luther King Jr. Day— Monday, January 19th at the Cavs vs. Chicago Bulls game at Quicken Loans Arena at 7:30 p.m. To begin the celebration themed “Making a Difference. One Generation to the Next," the team will remember Dr. King, the pastor, activist and humanitarian who led the African American civil rights movement.

In February, Black History Month, the Cavs will feature themed game nights dedicated to recognizing the achievements of African Americans who have paved the path for the next generation. The team's game presentation will highlight inspiring black history moments- interviews with influential African Americans, including notable Cavs legends and players; and special halftime performances.  There will also be several community outreach initiatives during the month as Cavs players and front office team members volunteer their time and service to projects throughout Northeast Ohio.

The Cavs, in partnership with Hennessy, have teamed up with the Marcus Graham Project (MGP) to host a weekend-long Sports Marketing Workshop for diverse professionals (February 26th through March 1st at Quicken Loans Arena). The Marcus Graham Project is a network of young professionals formed with the purpose of developing the next generation of leadership by mentoring and training ethnically diverse men and women in all aspects of the advertising, media and marketing industry.

Workshop participants will receive first-hand knowledge from some of today’s top executives in the Sports Marketing industry. One standout participant from the workshop will earn the opportunity to be sponsored by the Cavs and Hennessey to attend MGP's iCR8 Summer Boot Camp in Dallas, Texas.

Visit www.cavs.com/bhc for more information and to register for the MGP workshop.

“The goal for this year’s BHC is to celebrate black history by acknowledging the difference makers of the past and how they inspired change to give the next generation the opportunity to realize their dreams,” said Campy Russell, Cavaliers Legend and BHC committee member.

Signature Black Heritage Celebration theme nights at Cavs games in February include:

February 2nd vs Philadelphia 76ers at 7:00 p.m.
The team will honor Herb Douglas, Harrison Dillard and John Carlos - three former Olympic medalists who laid the foundation for African American athletes of today.  Herb Douglas is the oldest living African American Olympic medalist, taking the bronze medal in the long jump at the 1948 London games.  Harrison Dillard, born in Cleveland and graduate of Baldwin Wallace College, is the only male to win Olympic titles in both the sprinting and hurdling events.  John Carlos, a bronze-medal winner at the 1968 Summer Olympics, is best remembered for courageously raising his black-gloved fist as an act of protest in Mexico City.

February 26th vs Golden State Warriors at 8:00 p.m.
To conclude the month-long celebration, Cleveland Heights native and winner of BET’s “Sunday Best," a Gospel singing competition series, Geoffrey Golden, backed with a magnificent choir, will perform LIVE at halftime.  In-sync with an incredible 3D court-projected montage, the performance will feature the past 10 years of BHC honorees produced by the Cavs award-winning game presentation team.

To learn more about the Cavaliers 11th annual Black Heritage Celebration visit www.cavs.com/bhc.

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The Cavaliers 11th Annual Black Heritage Celebration!

Cavs vs. Utah Jazz – Friday, February 28th at 7:30 p.m.

After a month-long celebration of African-American achievement and excellence, the Cleveland Cavaliers’ annual Black Heritage Celebration presented by State Farm will conclude with a special ceremony recognizing three historic figures in Cleveland history. On Friday, February 28th at the Cavs vs. Utah Jazz game at 7:30 p.m., the Cavs will honor retired Ohio Court of Appeals Judge Sara J. Harper, the late baseball legend Larry Doby and political strategist Arnold Pinkney, who passed earlier this year.

Judge Harper and family members of the late honorees will attend a special pregame reception and will be recognized at halftime for their role in advancing the progress of African-Americans during a critical time in American history. Fans are invited to share in the moment to celebrate these dynamic trailblazers to culminate the Black Heritage Celebration presented by State Farm.

“State Farm is proud to once again support the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Black Heritage Celebration throughout February in honor of Black History Month,” said State Farm Multicultural Markets Specialist Janice E. Huffman. “We make it our business to be like a good neighbor, helping to improve the quality of life in the communities where our associates live and work; much like the distinguished figures who we’re helping to honor during the celebration.”

For tickets to the Culmination Ceremony game of the Black Heritage Celebration presented by State Farm, fans can visit cavs.com/bhc, call 1-800-820-2287, or visit any Northeast Ohio Discount Drug Mart location or the Quicken Loans Arena Ticket Office.

Judge Sara J. Harper was the first black woman to sit on the Ohio Supreme Court and the first black woman to graduate from Case Western Reserve University, and a well-respected legal professional.

Larry Doby was the first black baseball player to join the American League and play for the Cleveland Indians in 1947, and was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1998.

Arnold Pinkney was a political strategist who led campaigns for many African-American politicians, including the 1968 campaign that elected Louis Stokes as Ohio’s first black member of Congress.

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Cavs to Honor Historic Cleveland Figures

As part of the Cavaliers’ annual Black Heritage Celebration and in honor of Black History Month, the team embarked on a “Continuing the Dream” tour to educate Cleveland youth on historic African-American figures and inspire them to follow their dreams.

The first stop on the tour took students back in time to celebrate baseball legend Jackie Robinson, who became the first African-American to break the baseball color barrier in 1947. Cavs guard Dion Waiters hosted students from the Cleveland Baseball Federation in the Visitors Clubhouse at Progressive Field, home of the Cleveland Indians, to view the 2013 film “42.” The setting was fitting, as in July 1947, Indians outfielder Larry Doby, became the first African-American to play in the American League, with the Indians. “42” tells the story of Robinson’s life, career in professional baseball and his battles with racism, endured by Doby and other African-Americans of their generation as well. The students watched the film and enjoyed theater-style snacks at the ballpark.

The date of the event marked the 52nd anniversary of Jackie Robinson becoming the first African-American executive of a major TV station when he accepted the Director of Communications position with NBC on February 4th, 1962. To celebrate the milestone, Cleveland NBC-affiliate broadcaster Russ Mitchell spoke with the students about his career in broadcast and share his experiences.

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Cavs and Students "Swing" by Progressive Field for Black History Lesson on Baseball Legend Jackie Robinson

On Monday, January 20th, the Cleveland Cavaliers will tip off the team’s annual Black Heritage Celebration (BHC) presented by State Farm on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day at the Cavs vs. Dallas Mavericks game at 1:00 p.m. The special afternoon matchup will be the first of four theme nights throughout the month-long celebration. In addition to featuring in-game black history moments and achievement highlights, Cavs players and staff will volunteer in several educational and community service events throughout February in honor of Black History Month.

“Engaging students, fans and the community during the Black Heritage Celebration is important to us because it brings different groups of people together in the spirit of unity that this initiative represents,” said Campy Russell, Cavaliers director of alumni relations and BHC committee member. “We’re happy to continue the tradition with State Farm to make this year’s celebration both meaningful and impactful through community and education-focused programs.”

This year’s Black Heritage Celebration includes the following Cavs game nights:

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 20th at 1:00 p.m. vs. Dallas Mavericks
The Cavaliers will honor the work and legacy of civil rights leader and humanitarian Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. throughout the game, including a tribute by Cavs players reciting lines from King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech. Fans are encouraged to #DreamBIG in honor of King and share their dreams with the special hashtag on social media.

Music, Arts &amp; Culture Night
February 5th at 7:00 p.m. vs. Los Angeles Lakers
On Wednesday, February 5th, the Cavaliers will highlight influential African Americans within culture and the arts that represent the Greater Cleveland community. The Cleveland Metropolitan School District's All-City Drum Line and Jazz Band will perform at halftime, and the team will recognize members of the Northeast Ohio community who have helped to influence and impact the arts and African-American culture.

Education Night
February 11th at 7:00 p.m. vs. Sacramento Kings
To highlight the importance of education, the Cavs will recognize accomplished African-American educators and those who have used their education to achieve extraordinary accomplishments in their lives. The Cavs and State Farm will also award five high school seniors with a $1,000 college scholarship to help further their educational achievements and goals. At halftime, education and the arts combine as students from the Cleveland School of the Arts Dance Department perform a special Black History Month tribute for fans.

BHC Culmination Ceremony
February 28th at 7:30 p.m. vs. Utah Jazz
To conclude the month-long celebration, the Cavs will honor two historic greats within the Cleveland community as they recognize retired Ohio Court of Appeals Judge Sara J. Harper and baseball legend Larry Doby. Judge Harper was the first black woman to sit on the Ohio Supreme Court among several other significant achievements throughout her career. Larry Doby was the first black baseball player to break the color barrier and play for the Cleveland Indians in 1947.

For tickets to any game during the Black Heritage Celebration presented by State Farm, fans can click here call 1-800-820-2237, or visit any Northeast Ohio Discount Drug mart location or the Quicken Loans Arena Ticket Office. For special Black Heritage Celebration ticket packages, which include discounted tickets to 2014 BHC games and more, visit cavs.com/bhc for more information.

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Cavs to Tip Off Annual Black Heritage Celebration at MLK Day Game!

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