Timberwolves FastBreak Foundation to Celebrate Black History Month throughout February

February 1, 2006
Throughout the month of February, the Timberwolves FastBreak Foundation will focus its efforts on celebrating Black History. This campaign, presented by American Family Insurance, will include the "Tell Us Who Inspires You!" creative contest focusing on inspirational black leaders, a $10,000 grant to the Cookie Cart, a Reading Timeout, and a Black History Month celebration event held at Sabathani Community Center.

Tell Us Who Inspires You. That's what the Minnesota Timberwolves FastBreak Foundation and American Family Insurance is asking all middle school and high school students throughout the state of Minnesota in recognition of February's Black History Month. Entrants are asked to pick one inspirational black leader throughout American history and explain how that leader has inspired he or she to become a leader today.

The contest is open to all middle school and high school students in Minnesota and entries can be in the form of an essay, poem or artistic expression (painting, drawing, sculpture, etc.). The winner in each category will receive a trip for two to Atlanta (April 4-6) to tour the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Center along with tickets to watch the Timberwolves play the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on Wednesday, April 5.

Entries must be received by Friday, Feb. 10. Students can submit their entries to: Timberwolves FastBreak Foundation, 600 First Ave. North, Minneapolis, MN 55403 or via e-mail at fastbreakfoundation@timberwolves.com. Winners, who will be selected by a panel of judges, will be announced by Thursday, Feb. 23.

The FastBreak Foundation will announce that The Cookie Cart (1119 W. Broadway, Minneapolis) will receive the $10,000 monthly grant in support of their programs honoring Black History Month. As part of its Black History Month education efforts, the Cookie Cart has developed a Timberwolves Black History Month cookie that will be added to each order throughout the month. The iced cookie displays the month's message, "Who Inspires You?"

Additionally, the FastBreak Foundation will host a Reading Time Out for 50 elementary students from the Minneapolis Downtown Interdistrict School on Thursday, Feb. 9. New Wolves players Ricky Davis, Mark Blount, Marcus Banks and Justin Reed will read to the students and then decorate the Timberwolves Black History Month cookies. Read to Achieve is sponsored by American Family Insurance and Optimum Mortgage Services, Inc.

"American Family is proud to sponsor the celebration of Black History Month in partnership with the Timberwolves FastBreak Foundation," said Theresa Upton, American Family Insurance Emerging Market Manager. "We are also proud of our outstanding corporate citizenship throughout the year in the communities where we conduct business."

"We are proud to launch our first comprehensive Black History Month campaign," said Timberwolves President Chris Wright. "Our focus on inspirational leaders is important to us. We especially want our young fans to get engaged in identifying those leaders and work to carry out their messages in their lives today."

The FastBreak Foundation will bring in a celebrity panel of prominent civic leaders and over 900 middle and high school students to discuss the Mixed Blood Theater productions of "Jackie Robinson" and "Black Eagle," the story of astronaut Ron McNair. The interactive plays and following discussion will be held in two sessions at the Sabathani Community Center (310 East 38th Street, Minneapolis) on Wednesday, Feb. 22 from 10:00-11:30 a.m. and 1:00-2:30 p.m. For more information about these Black History Month initiatives, visit www.timberwolves.com/community or call 612-673-1675.

The Minnesota Timberwolves FastBreak Foundation provides and supports hands-on programs that positively impact Minnesota youth. Through giving, education and basketball opportunities, the Foundation enables young people to make responsible decisions, contribute to their futures and experience lifelong memories.