During a break in action of the Kings vs. Hawks game on Wednesday, Maloof Sports & Entertainment and Barefoot Wine recognized Aubry Stone for his dedication to making a difference in the Sacramento community. He is currently President/CEO of the California Black Chamber of Commerce and serves as a California Commissioner for economic development. Stone has aggressively led the California Black Chamber in various public policy issues with a focus on the creation of individual and community wealth through small business growth and development. Get to know more about Stone on Kings.com.

What is your connection to Maloof Sports & Entertainment?
"I have always been a Kings fan and always believed in them. They run a classy operation. I like their style and the way they do business."

What is your fondest memory of working in the community?
"My greatest memory is just trying to be a role model to young African-American boys. It is good for them to see businessmen in business suits and know they have options. We have to do everything we can to be influential and be role models for our young boys. And, hopefully, we’ll make a better California."

What motivated you to devote your life to the community?
"I wish I could say I had an epiphany, but I would be lying. [Laughs] …I was brought up with a social responsibility that comes with being a minority. … You’ve got to give back."

What does Black History Month mean to you? And how important do you think it is to our country?
"I hope at some point in time, in this great country, that we will get beyond racial issues. Then, there will be no reason for a black history month. Now, because it's not in the history books, we have to set aside some time to honor those people whose shoulders I am standing on who did not get the recognition they should have.”

What does this award mean to you?
"The award itself is nice, and I cannot say enough about that. I appreciate the organization stepping up and doing this. But what is really most important to me is the young lady that nominated me. You try to be a role model and a positive force and you never know who's watching you. She told me out of the blue she nominated me. I didn’t know anything about it. That was really the high point for me, to have one of my contemporaries, that's trying do a lot of the same things I'm doing, look up and say, 'I think he needs a little kudos.' It's a good thing. Thank you."

Aubry's Website