Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers are strengthening their annual ‘In the Paint’ initiative by collaborating with Los Angeles-based art and culture company, Band of Vices. The 2023-24 In the Paint program will highlight the Lakers and Band of Vices’ commitment to recognizing prolific creative communities who have been historically overlooked.

In the Paint, presented by DWS, is an organizational initiative that recognizes, supports and uplifts the LA community of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) artists. This year, 15 artists will be chosen by a selection committee as Contributing Artists. These talented individuals will have the opportunity to display and sell their work on the In the Paint digital marketplace featuring program artists. Net proceeds will benefit the Contributing Artists, as well as support the growth and development of future In the Paint initiatives. Lakers players and staff will also select up to three artworks to be purchased by the team for display at the UCLA Health Training Center. Overall, Contributing Artists will have the opportunity to receive unique exposure for their artwork at In the Paint art exhibitions, via an online exhibition and on Lakers' digital and social platforms. Band of Vices will play a pivotal role in educating these artists along their individual journeys.

Now in its third year, In the Paint will expand artistic opportunities for 10 up-and-coming BIPOC artists. Also chosen by the selection committee, In the Paint Grantees will receive a $10,000 grant to elevate their artistic endeavors, provide the tools to further their talents and increase exposure of their art.

Los Angeles BIPOC artists who are interested in participating can find more information by visiting the official 2023-24 In the Paint website by&nbsp;CLICKING HERE.

About In the Paint:&nbsp;In the Paint is an organizational initiative stemming from the Lakers’ six-point Racial Equity Action Plan. As an LA-based basketball organization, the Lakers fused the worlds of sports and culture 60+ years ago. Now the organization is strengthening this connection even more by recognizing, supporting and uplifting the LA community of BIPOC artists. This dynamic program strives to change the trajectory of a cohort of Los Angeles-based BIPOC artists’ careers every year.&nbsp;CLICK HERE&nbsp;to meet the 2022-23 Contributing Artists.

About Band of Vices:&nbsp;Founded in 2015, Band of Vices is an art and culture company committed to providing a platform to often overlooked creative communities and a narrative through ever-evolving initiatives, including a highly curated exhibition program, culturally relevant strategic partnerships, mission-driven community programming and more. Headquartered in the burgeoning West Adams Arts District of Los Angeles, Band of Vices believes in disrupting the limited business model for artists and creatives. Band of Vices is committed to providing a platform for those historically undervalued, overlooked or cast aside. Band of Vices embraces uniqueness, diversity, and inclusion.&nbsp;LEARN MORE HERE.

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Los Angeles Lakers Announce Collaboration with Band of Vices for 2023-24 In the Paint Initiative

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The Los Angeles Lakers and representatives of bibigo® foods — the No. 1 global Korean-cuisine brand — will host their inaugural ‘Lakers Town’ community event on June 5, 2023, in one of Los Angeles’ most diverse neighborhoods – Koreatown. The action-packed afternoon will bring fans and community members together for the unveiling of L.A.’s newest Lakers mural and a first-hand look at how the team’s global partnership with bibigo® foods, its parent company, CJ CheilJedang (CJCJ), and U.S.-based CJCJ affiliate, Schwan’s Company, are strengthening local neighborhoods.

This year’s ‘Lakers Town’ event will be highlighted by a major announcement from the Lakers Youth Foundation (LYF) and bibigo® foods. The partners will contribute to the Koreatown Youth + Community Center (KYCC), which generously hosts a bi-monthly food bank for local students and members of the community. The funds will help revamp and expand the kitchen at the Menlo Family Apartments, ensuring K-Town families are supported for years to come. Additionally, the Lakers and bibigo® foods will team up to create a youth sports component at KYCC with a partnership from the Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA).

The afternoon will also include a bibigo food truck, desserts, a health and wellness clinic for local children, giveaway items and other fun activities focused on giving back to youth and community. Children from the KYCC and HOLA will be on hand to help celebrate the inaugural event, as well as Lakers Legends Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, A.C. Green, Robert Horry and James Worthy.

Those scheduled to be available for interviews: Kiesha Nix – Vice President, Charitable Affairs & Lakers Youth Foundation, Federico Arreola Carrazco – Schwan’s Consumer Brands Vice President of Marketing, Joong Hee Yoo – CJ Foods Ethnic Sales Division Vice President of Sales, Heather Hutt – L.A. Councilwoman for the 10th District, Holly Mitchell – L.A. County Supervisor and Jonas Never – muralist. Also available to media will be Lakers Legends Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, A.C. Green, Robert Horry and James Worthy.

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Lakers and bibigo to Host Inaugural Lakers Town Community Event in Koreatown

Lakers Community

On Tuesday, August 2nd, the Lakers Youth Foundation, with the help of AC Green, celebrated the opening of the newly renovated court at the the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Los Angeles Harbor.

The kids received a Basketball and Health & Fitness Clinic on their own official Lakers Court. The young athletes were taught the fundamentals of basketball, such as passing, ball handling and shooting. Coaches also educated kids on the importance of health and fitness.

The Lakers Youth Foundation granted the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Los Angeles Harbor a grant to refurbish their gymnasium. Refurbishments included new baskets that have adjuster systems to meet the needs of all ages, padding around the entire gym, and installing a new court with the Lakers logo.

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Court Renovation at Boys & Girls Club LA Harbor

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In The Paint Recap

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Congratulations to A New Way of Life Reentry Project on winning the Lakers Youth Foundation March YOU Grant Contest!

A New Way of Life Reentry Project (ANWOL) advances multi-dimensional solutions to the
effects of incarceration. We provide housing and support to formerly incarcerated women for
successful community reentry, family reunification and individual healing.

With this generous gift, a playground for children of previously incarcerated women will be built
at our existing facility in Montebello, California. An onsite playground will give children access
to a safe environment for recreation, exercise and self-expression. Having a playground allows
children at ANWOL to better cope with the unique obstacles they face by doing what kids do
best: play. For these deserving children, a playground serves as a world of imagination that
allows them to dream beyond their current circumstances.

Please check back in May for another Lakers Youth Foundation YOU Grant opportunity!

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2020-2021 Lakers Youth Foundation March YOU Grant

Congratulations to Los Angeles Ronald McDonald House on winning the Lakers Youth Foundation January YOU Grant Contest!

The Los Angeles Ronald McDonald House provides a “home away from home” for families of critically ill children. Our mission is to provide comfort, care &amp; support to children and their families – where they can embrace life and healing with a sense of hope, enthusiasm, courage and joy. For 40 years, we have worked diligently to anticipate and relieve any daily stress by providing free housing, amenities and programs, so parents may focus entirely on what’s most important – healing their sick child.

With this generous gift, we hope to increase funds for our Meal of Love Program. This program provides free meals, snacks and pantry items to families currently staying at our House. For most families living here, this is their only way of receiving a home cooked meal, as they don’t have the time/resources to cook for themselves since they are constantly back and forth between the hospital and House to care for their sick child. The grant will be used to purchase more meals and snacks for all staying at the House so they can have one less thing to worry about.

Please check back in March for another Lakers Youth Foundation YOU Grant opportunity!

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2020-2021 Lakers Youth Foundation YOU Grant

Lakers Youth Foundation Basketball and Health &amp; Fitness Video

Follow along with LYF Trainers as they show you fitness and basketball drills that will improve your agility and skills.

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Lakers Youth Foundation Basketball and Health & Fitness Video

On Saturday, June 27th the Lakers Youth Foundation joined the Loud &amp; Proud Youth March for Black Lives.

The Youth March started at the USC Village and ended at the California African American Museum Expo Park with a performance by the Compton Kidz Club. Everyone in attendance got a Lakers Youth Foundation drawstring bag with a water bottle and face mask inside.

Youth March for Black Lives Photo Gallery