--February home games at Sleep Train Arena will feature tributes acknowledging notable achievements of prominent African-Americans--
SACRAMENTO, CALIF., Feb. 8, 2013 – The Sacramento Kings have once again joined Wells Fargo to honor Black History Month by recognizing influential African-Americans who have made an impact on their communities through contributions in a variety of endeavors.
For the 11th consecutive season, the Kings will pay tribute to local Black History Month All-Stars at each home game throughout February. Selected based on their distinguished achievements and triumphs in the community, recipients are awarded a commemorative plaque presented in a ceremony at center court.
The Kings Black History Month festivities will tip-off tomorrow evening when Sacramento takes on the Utah Jazz at 7 p.m. from Sleep Train Arena. Saturday’s honorees are Pastor Darryl Heath, St. John Missionary Baptist Church, and Nikki Whitfield, Outreach Specialist with the Healthy Access Initiative. Pastor Heath provides leadership in a neighborhood that offers nutrition and healthcare services to youth and families struggling in poverty. Whitfield helps oversee Sutter Health’s Healthy Access Initiative, a 2-year behavioral change campaign targeting frequent users of emergency rooms for non-emergency care needs in Solano and Sacramento counties. Under Whitfield’s guidance, the initiative helps establish new and leverage existing relationships to improve health access and health outcomes in communities throughout the region.
Additionally, the following Black History Month All-Stars will be honored at the following upcoming contests:
Feb. 10 vs. Houston:
Edward T. Lewis: Statewide Outreach Manager, California Black Health Network.
Edward is the Statewide Outreach Manager for the California Black Health Network, an organization with a mission to eliminate health disparities and improve care for people of African-American descent through legislative, administrative and media advocacy. Following service to his country as a member of the U.S. Army Airborne Infantry, Lewis began a career in social work. He is a past President for the National Association of Black Social Workers, Sacramento Chapter. Last year, Edward received the Heroes of Human Service Award from Sacramento County Supervisor Phil Serna.
Feb. 19 vs. San Antonio:
Shara Murphy: Executive Director, Sacramento Gay and Lesbian Center.
Shara is a Northern California native who has a long history of experience in leadership, community outreach and fundraising in the Sacramento region. Prior to her current post with the Sacramento Gay and Lesbian Center, she worked in the Speaker’s Office of Member Services for John A. Perez, the first openly gay leader of the California State Assembly. As an ally of the gay community, Murphy utilizes her extensive organizing experience to help the Center serve as a nexus of support for programs promoting tolerance.
For more information about the Kings celebration of Black History Month, Click Here.
About Wells Fargo:
Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a nationwide, diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.2 trillion in assets. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through more than 9,000 stores, 12,000 ATMs, the Internet (wellsfargo.com and wachovia.com), and other distribution channels across North America and internationally. With more than 278,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in America. Wells Fargo & Company was ranked #19 on Fortune’s 2009 rankings of America’s largest corporations. Wells Fargo’s vision is to satisfy all our customers’ financial needs and help them succeed financially.