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SharePhiladelphia 76ers Celebrate Black History Month 2004
Derrick Coleman and Willie Green viewed the nationally acclaimed art exhibit, "African Scuplture-Symbols of Culture", with Hall of Fame guest and honoree Earl Lloyd. They were also joined by Lloyd's son, the artist and his son, and Eric Snow's father-son guests. Jesse D Garrabrant NBAE/Getty Images |
Black History Month Upcoming Events |
 All Month: African Art Exhibit Gallery |
1/17: MLK Executive Shadow Contest Winners
Sixers Celebrate Black History Month 2003
The Philadelphia 76ers have planned a variety of in-arena and community activities in celebration of February's Black History Month.
For each home game during the month of February, Sixers fans will be treated to an African Art Exhibit featuring select artwork from Philadelphia collector Herman Bigham's nationally acclaimed "African Sculpture-Symbols of Culture".
The exhibit, which will be displayed in the Wachovia Center's Broad Street Atrium is a sampling of traditional masks and figures by craftsmen from a variety of continental and diasporan African ethnic groups. Parts of the collection have been displayed at Philadelphia International Airport and other selections have recently been featured at the Walt Whitman Arts Center in Camden, N.J.
For each home game during the month of February, Sixers fans will be treated to an African Art Exhibit featuring select artwork from Philadelphia collector Herman Bigham's nationally acclaimed "African Sculpture-Symbols of Culture".
The exhibit, which will be displayed in the Wachovia Center's Broad Street Atrium is a sampling of traditional masks and figures by craftsmen from a variety of continental and diasporan African ethnic groups. Parts of the collection have been displayed at Philadelphia International Airport and other selections have recently been featured at the Walt Whitman Arts Center in Camden, N.J.
In addition to the events on the court, on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 76ers Ambassador of Basketball World B. Free and mascot Hip Hop will attend a special Black History Month musical concert and reading program sponsored by the Marian Anderson Society and Commerce Bank at the Christian Academy located in West Philadelphia. At the program, students will learn about the historical accomplishments of singer Marian Anderson and witness the special reading of a new children's book in her honor.
The Sixers Community Service All-Star Awards
For the third-consecutive year, the Sixers will partner with the Philadelphia Tribune to present five "Community Service All-Star Awards," which recognizes prominent African Americans from the Delaware Valley who have made an outstanding contribution to the community. Former Harlem Globetrotter Gene Hudgins of Atlantic City, classical pianist and mentee of the late Marian Anderson, Blanche-Burton Lyles, Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Calvin B. Johnson, 92-year old athlete and educator Dr. Frank "Tick" Coleman, and Earl Lloyd, the first African American to play in an NBA game, are each scheduled to receive this special honor prior to tip-off at an upcoming Sixers game this month. 2003 Winners, 2002 Winners.
As a national tribute during Black History Month, the Sixers will recognize CIAA and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Earl Lloyd with a Community Service All-Star Award prior to the Sixers nationally televised game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday February 5th. Lloyd, who is the first African American to play in an NBA game and the NBA's first African American Assistant Coach won an NBA Championship in 1955 as a member of the Syracuse Nationals, which is now the Philadelphia 76ers. He will also be making guest appearances with 76ers Ambassador of Basketball World B. Free at local schools on February 6th to share his experiences as a pro basketball pioneer.
Earl Lloyd - February 5
Earl Lloyd represents one of the great pioneers of professional basketball in America. More than five decades ago on October 31, 1950, Lloyd became the first African American to play in the NBA when he suited up against the Washington Capitols. Later in his career, Lloyd was both a player and a coach and was one of the early advocates for integration of the NBA.
Originally of Alexandria, Va., Lloyd traveled to West Virginia State College and led his team to a pair of CIAA Championships in 1948 and 1949. He was named All-Conference three times and made the All-American team twice. His 1947-48 team at West Virginia State was the only undefeated college basketball team at any level in the United States.
As a pro player, Lloyd played with the Washington Capitols, Detroit Pistons, and Syracuse Nationals. After reaching the NBA finals in 1950 and 1954, losing both times to the Minneapolis Lakers, Lloyd’s Syracuse Nationals won their first and only NBA title in 1955. During the 1955 championship season, Lloyd averaged 10.2 points and 7.7 rebounds per game as he, alongside of teammate Jim Tucker, became the first African Americans to win an NBA title. In 1963-64, the Syracuse Nationals were moved to Philadelphia and became the Philadelphia 76ers.
In 1968, Lloyd made more history be coming the NBA’s first African American assistant coach as a member of the Detroit Pistons staff and in 1971, he became the second African American head coach in the NBA again with the Detroit Pistons (Bill Russell was the first African American head coach in the NBA.
Lloyd has been named CIAA “Player of the Decade”, the CIAA Silver Anniversary Team, the NAIA Golden Anniversary Team and voted one of the 50 Greatest Players in the CIAA where is also in the conference’s Hall of Fame.
Finally, on Sep 5, 1993, Lloyd received the ultimate honor and was enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Blanche Burton Lyles - February 7
In the world of classical music, seasoned and multifaceted concert pianist Blanche Burton-Lyles is one of the most talented women ever to grace world-renowned stages, ballrooms, and musical circuits. A south Philadelphia native and member of Union Baptist Church, she continues to actively enjoy a career that has spanned well over 40 years.
Know as a child-prodigy, Blanche was mentored by the late singer Marian Anderson and showed exquisite talent for the musical and performing arts at a very early age. Anderson ultimately recommended her for admission to the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music where she became the first African American woman to receive a Bachelors Degree in Music. Burton-Lyles would later become the first African American woman pianist to perform at Carnegie Hall with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra.
Over the years, Burton-Lyles maintained her strong relationship with Anderson and up until her death was one of the singer’s regularly invited guest for performances. In January 1998, Burton-Lyles acquired Anderson’s historical residence and a few years later was given the responsibility of maintaining the Marian Anderson birthplace. Both sites are now recognized as international attractions and receive thousands of visitors worldwide annually.
Today, Burton-Lyles is a retired music educator of the Philadelphia Public School System. She is the recipient of numerous performance and humanitarian awards, and is currently the Founder and President of the Marian Anderson Historical Society.
Gene Hudgins- February 11
Born and raised in Atlantic City, N.J., and a graduate of Morgan State University, Gene Hudgins is a Southern New Jersey and African American living legend in the game of basketball. Known throughout the region as “Mr. Atlantic City,” from 1958-1968, Hudgins was a standout professional basketball player with the Harlem Globetrotters. He later joined and became a star player in the Eastern Professional Basketball League with legendary figures such as Hall of Fame Coach John Chaney and Sonny Hill. He also maintained his commitment to education in the city as an elementary education instructor and assistant basketball coach during those playing years.
After retiring in 1968, Hudgins became a full-time physical education instructor in Pleasantville, N.J. He was later promoted to superintendent of recreation in the City of Atlantic City and held that post for nearly 15 years. Beginning in 1982, he became the business representative of the Interstate Realty Management Company before moving on as the Director for the job connection program at the Atlantic City Community College.
With the expansion of the Atlantic City community, Hudgins accepted various appointments within the Hotel Employees Restaurant Employees International Union and represented nearly 15,000 members as business agent and president of Local 54 and international trustee. In 2003, Hudgins was appointed by the Office of the Governor of New Jersey to participate in the Southern Jersey Small Business Commission.
Presently, Hudgins is the assistant to the president for the Solid Waste Transfer & Recycling, Inc., which is the only minority waste removal and disposal company in South Jersey. He recently completed a million dollar hauling contract with Yonkers Construction for the removal of construction debris for the completion of the new tunnel connector project in Atlantic City that included the new Borgata Hotel & Spa. This company also provides recycling and trash removal for over 150 businesses in Atlantic City and has won contracts at established casinos such as Harrah’s, Tropicana, Taj Mahal, and the Showboat.
Dr. Frank “Tick” Coleman- February 23
Dr. Frank T. Coleman better known as “Tick” has been an active member of the Philadelphia career for over eight decades. He is most recognized as one of Philadelphia’s renaissance men having earned major distinctions and accomplishments from the athletic fields to the university classrooms.
In 1927, Coleman was one of the first African Americans to earn the coveted Eagle Scout Badge issued by the Boy Scouts of America in Philadelphia. By 1930, he had distinguished himself as a great football player becoming the first African American to play quarterback for Central High School. The team won the Public League Football Championship that same year and Coleman was selected to the Public League All-Star and the City’s All-Scholastic Football Teams.
In 1931, he graduated from Central High School and received the school’s William Butler Award for outstanding student athletes but not before he completed the final test for the Christian Street YMCA, which required him to swim across the Delaware River.
Coleman spent his collegiate days at Lincoln University of Pennsylvania where he served as president of his class three times, varsity football quarterback, was a member of the wrestling team, manager of the varsity basketball team, and sat on the Intramural Council.
Some of his community achievements include the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the National Society of Fundraising Executives, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. where he received an award for over 70 years of distinguished service, the South Philadelphia Hebrew Center, and Commissioner of the National Old Timers Basketball League where he served over 25 years over 16 cities. His football helmet and shoes are on annual display at the African American Museum of Philadelphia.
Coleman has been honored and selected numerous times. He continues to be a member of the Lincoln University Board of Trustees, served as the University’s special assistant to the president and has received their Honorary Doctorate Award.
At 92 years of age, Coleman is still active in the city. He is currently the Acting Historian for the Christian Street YMCA, which is the oldest YMCA in the African American community having just celebrated its 150th year anniversary.
Calvin B. Johnson, M.D., M.P.H.- February 29
Born in Washington D.C., Johnson moved to Philadelphia at a very early age. As a graduate of William Penn Charter High School in the East Falls section of the City, he attended and graduated from the prestigious Morehouse College in Atlanta, Ga., with a degree in Chemistry. In 1993, he earned a medical degree from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and a master's degree in Public Health from the Bloomberg School of Public Health. Johnson completed his residency at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and later joined the New York City Department of Health as the clinical advisor to the Deputy Commissioner for the Division of Family Health Services.
Johnson later served as an assistant professor of pediatrics at Temple University School of Medicine and a practicing pediatrician on the medical staff of Temple University Children’s Medical Center. He was also serving as director of Philadelphia’s Safe & Sound organization, which works to improve the health and well being of children and youth.
On April 22, 2003, Governor Edward G. Rendell nominated Johnson as secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Health. In this role, Johnson serves as the primary public health advocate and spokesmen for Pennsylvania. He is the senior advisor to Rendell on health matters, identifying priorities and outlining objectives to achieving these goals.
Johnson is a board certified pediatrician and is charged with managing health needs assessment, resource development, assuring access to health care, promoting health and disease prevention, and providing leadership in the areas of health planning and policy development impacting Pennsylvania’s 12 million citizens.
In addition to serving on numerous boards and committees, including the Philadelphia Health Management Corporation board of directors, Physicians for Social Responsibility board of directors and the Philadelphia Inter-disciplinary Youth Fatality Review Committee, Johnson also served for 12 years as a physician in the U.S. Army Reserve National Guard.
Johnson lives in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania with his wife Pamela. They have one child.
The Sixers Community Service All-Star Awards
For the third-consecutive year, the Sixers will partner with the Philadelphia Tribune to present five "Community Service All-Star Awards," which recognizes prominent African Americans from the Delaware Valley who have made an outstanding contribution to the community. Former Harlem Globetrotter Gene Hudgins of Atlantic City, classical pianist and mentee of the late Marian Anderson, Blanche-Burton Lyles, Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Calvin B. Johnson, 92-year old athlete and educator Dr. Frank "Tick" Coleman, and Earl Lloyd, the first African American to play in an NBA game, are each scheduled to receive this special honor prior to tip-off at an upcoming Sixers game this month. 2003 Winners, 2002 Winners.
As a national tribute during Black History Month, the Sixers will recognize CIAA and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Earl Lloyd with a Community Service All-Star Award prior to the Sixers nationally televised game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday February 5th. Lloyd, who is the first African American to play in an NBA game and the NBA's first African American Assistant Coach won an NBA Championship in 1955 as a member of the Syracuse Nationals, which is now the Philadelphia 76ers. He will also be making guest appearances with 76ers Ambassador of Basketball World B. Free at local schools on February 6th to share his experiences as a pro basketball pioneer.
Earl Lloyd, the First African American to play in an NBA game, was honored at Thursdays game against the Lakers Jesse D Garrabrant NBAE/Getty Images |
Earl Lloyd represents one of the great pioneers of professional basketball in America. More than five decades ago on October 31, 1950, Lloyd became the first African American to play in the NBA when he suited up against the Washington Capitols. Later in his career, Lloyd was both a player and a coach and was one of the early advocates for integration of the NBA.
Originally of Alexandria, Va., Lloyd traveled to West Virginia State College and led his team to a pair of CIAA Championships in 1948 and 1949. He was named All-Conference three times and made the All-American team twice. His 1947-48 team at West Virginia State was the only undefeated college basketball team at any level in the United States.
As a pro player, Lloyd played with the Washington Capitols, Detroit Pistons, and Syracuse Nationals. After reaching the NBA finals in 1950 and 1954, losing both times to the Minneapolis Lakers, Lloyd’s Syracuse Nationals won their first and only NBA title in 1955. During the 1955 championship season, Lloyd averaged 10.2 points and 7.7 rebounds per game as he, alongside of teammate Jim Tucker, became the first African Americans to win an NBA title. In 1963-64, the Syracuse Nationals were moved to Philadelphia and became the Philadelphia 76ers.
In 1968, Lloyd made more history be coming the NBA’s first African American assistant coach as a member of the Detroit Pistons staff and in 1971, he became the second African American head coach in the NBA again with the Detroit Pistons (Bill Russell was the first African American head coach in the NBA.
Lloyd has been named CIAA “Player of the Decade”, the CIAA Silver Anniversary Team, the NAIA Golden Anniversary Team and voted one of the 50 Greatest Players in the CIAA where is also in the conference’s Hall of Fame.
Finally, on Sep 5, 1993, Lloyd received the ultimate honor and was enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Blanche Burton Lyles, Founder of the Marian Anderson Society, was honored at Saturdays game against the Celtics Jesse D Garrabrant NBAE/Getty Images |
In the world of classical music, seasoned and multifaceted concert pianist Blanche Burton-Lyles is one of the most talented women ever to grace world-renowned stages, ballrooms, and musical circuits. A south Philadelphia native and member of Union Baptist Church, she continues to actively enjoy a career that has spanned well over 40 years.
Know as a child-prodigy, Blanche was mentored by the late singer Marian Anderson and showed exquisite talent for the musical and performing arts at a very early age. Anderson ultimately recommended her for admission to the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music where she became the first African American woman to receive a Bachelors Degree in Music. Burton-Lyles would later become the first African American woman pianist to perform at Carnegie Hall with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra.
Over the years, Burton-Lyles maintained her strong relationship with Anderson and up until her death was one of the singer’s regularly invited guest for performances. In January 1998, Burton-Lyles acquired Anderson’s historical residence and a few years later was given the responsibility of maintaining the Marian Anderson birthplace. Both sites are now recognized as international attractions and receive thousands of visitors worldwide annually.
Today, Burton-Lyles is a retired music educator of the Philadelphia Public School System. She is the recipient of numerous performance and humanitarian awards, and is currently the Founder and President of the Marian Anderson Historical Society.
Gene Hudgins, "Mr. Atlantic City," was honored at Wednesdays game against the Wizards Jesse D Garrabrant NBAE/Getty Images |
Born and raised in Atlantic City, N.J., and a graduate of Morgan State University, Gene Hudgins is a Southern New Jersey and African American living legend in the game of basketball. Known throughout the region as “Mr. Atlantic City,” from 1958-1968, Hudgins was a standout professional basketball player with the Harlem Globetrotters. He later joined and became a star player in the Eastern Professional Basketball League with legendary figures such as Hall of Fame Coach John Chaney and Sonny Hill. He also maintained his commitment to education in the city as an elementary education instructor and assistant basketball coach during those playing years.
After retiring in 1968, Hudgins became a full-time physical education instructor in Pleasantville, N.J. He was later promoted to superintendent of recreation in the City of Atlantic City and held that post for nearly 15 years. Beginning in 1982, he became the business representative of the Interstate Realty Management Company before moving on as the Director for the job connection program at the Atlantic City Community College.
With the expansion of the Atlantic City community, Hudgins accepted various appointments within the Hotel Employees Restaurant Employees International Union and represented nearly 15,000 members as business agent and president of Local 54 and international trustee. In 2003, Hudgins was appointed by the Office of the Governor of New Jersey to participate in the Southern Jersey Small Business Commission.
Presently, Hudgins is the assistant to the president for the Solid Waste Transfer & Recycling, Inc., which is the only minority waste removal and disposal company in South Jersey. He recently completed a million dollar hauling contract with Yonkers Construction for the removal of construction debris for the completion of the new tunnel connector project in Atlantic City that included the new Borgata Hotel & Spa. This company also provides recycling and trash removal for over 150 businesses in Atlantic City and has won contracts at established casinos such as Harrah’s, Tropicana, Taj Mahal, and the Showboat.
Dr. Frank “Tick” Coleman, Athlete & Educator (92 years old), was honored at Mondays game against the Pistons Jesse D Garrabrant NBAE/Getty Images |
Dr. Frank T. Coleman better known as “Tick” has been an active member of the Philadelphia career for over eight decades. He is most recognized as one of Philadelphia’s renaissance men having earned major distinctions and accomplishments from the athletic fields to the university classrooms.
In 1927, Coleman was one of the first African Americans to earn the coveted Eagle Scout Badge issued by the Boy Scouts of America in Philadelphia. By 1930, he had distinguished himself as a great football player becoming the first African American to play quarterback for Central High School. The team won the Public League Football Championship that same year and Coleman was selected to the Public League All-Star and the City’s All-Scholastic Football Teams.
In 1931, he graduated from Central High School and received the school’s William Butler Award for outstanding student athletes but not before he completed the final test for the Christian Street YMCA, which required him to swim across the Delaware River.
Coleman spent his collegiate days at Lincoln University of Pennsylvania where he served as president of his class three times, varsity football quarterback, was a member of the wrestling team, manager of the varsity basketball team, and sat on the Intramural Council.
Some of his community achievements include the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the National Society of Fundraising Executives, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. where he received an award for over 70 years of distinguished service, the South Philadelphia Hebrew Center, and Commissioner of the National Old Timers Basketball League where he served over 25 years over 16 cities. His football helmet and shoes are on annual display at the African American Museum of Philadelphia.
Coleman has been honored and selected numerous times. He continues to be a member of the Lincoln University Board of Trustees, served as the University’s special assistant to the president and has received their Honorary Doctorate Award.
At 92 years of age, Coleman is still active in the city. He is currently the Acting Historian for the Christian Street YMCA, which is the oldest YMCA in the African American community having just celebrated its 150th year anniversary.
Calvin B. Johnson, M.D., M.P.H., (center) Secretary of Health Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, was honored at Sunday's game against the Timberwolves Jesse D Garrabrant NBAE/Getty Images |
Born in Washington D.C., Johnson moved to Philadelphia at a very early age. As a graduate of William Penn Charter High School in the East Falls section of the City, he attended and graduated from the prestigious Morehouse College in Atlanta, Ga., with a degree in Chemistry. In 1993, he earned a medical degree from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and a master's degree in Public Health from the Bloomberg School of Public Health. Johnson completed his residency at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and later joined the New York City Department of Health as the clinical advisor to the Deputy Commissioner for the Division of Family Health Services.
Johnson later served as an assistant professor of pediatrics at Temple University School of Medicine and a practicing pediatrician on the medical staff of Temple University Children’s Medical Center. He was also serving as director of Philadelphia’s Safe & Sound organization, which works to improve the health and well being of children and youth.
On April 22, 2003, Governor Edward G. Rendell nominated Johnson as secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Health. In this role, Johnson serves as the primary public health advocate and spokesmen for Pennsylvania. He is the senior advisor to Rendell on health matters, identifying priorities and outlining objectives to achieving these goals.
Johnson is a board certified pediatrician and is charged with managing health needs assessment, resource development, assuring access to health care, promoting health and disease prevention, and providing leadership in the areas of health planning and policy development impacting Pennsylvania’s 12 million citizens.
In addition to serving on numerous boards and committees, including the Philadelphia Health Management Corporation board of directors, Physicians for Social Responsibility board of directors and the Philadelphia Inter-disciplinary Youth Fatality Review Committee, Johnson also served for 12 years as a physician in the U.S. Army Reserve National Guard.
Johnson lives in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania with his wife Pamela. They have one child.
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