CLEVELAND – In recognition of Black History Month, the Cleveland Cavaliers will host its 20thAnnual Black Heritage Celebration (BHC), presented by Crown Royal Regal Apple, throughout the month of February. BHC game nights will begin on Wednesday, January 31, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, when the Cavs face the Detroit Pistons at 7 p.m.
BHC is an expanded recognition platform to honor Black history and recognize those who have positively and personally influenced Cleveland and Northeast Ohio’s Black community. This year’s theme is “Empowering and Inspiring One Generation to the Next.”
During home games in February, the Cavs will celebrate and showcase Black excellence through the following - Economic Empowerment, Breaking Barriers, Valentine’s Day and Education. The organization will amplify these efforts through concourse activations, in-game recognitions, halftime performances, special video presentations, team social media channels and game broadcasts. In addition, Cleveland-native and Broadway singer David Holbert will open with The National Anthem on February 22 against the Orlando Magic.
The Center Court Team Shop will launch special edition Cavs BHC apparel and accessories, co-created by Cavs team members and students from John Carroll University’s Wayfinders program. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the NEW Cavaliers Community Foundation HBCU Scholarship Fund.
“The Cleveland Cavaliers are excited to honor Black women and men who are change agents across Northeast Ohio,” said Kevin Clayton, Cleveland Cavaliers Senior Vice President of Social Impact and Equity. “As we highlight the unique stories of how they are creating a positive impact within our community, we will also take the opportunity to acknowledge those who paved the way and showed the strength we have to conquer the new barriers of today.”
Signature BHC theme nights and events include:
Economic Empowerment
January 31st vs. Detroit Pistons at 7 p.m.
The celebration will highlight Black-owned businesses, specifically the food and beverage entrepreneurs who enrich and enliven Cleveland’s culinary scene. The Cavs will welcome over 50 mixologists, chefs and vendors from this summer’s Taste of Black Cleveland 5.0 (TOBC) for a pre-game reception and in-game recognition. Black CoLabs, one of the collaborating partners of TOBC, will also be recognized as the “Jif Diff Maker” of the game.
Breaking Barriers, Cleveland’s First
February 5th vs. Sacramento Kings at 7 p.m.
BHC is about celebrating black excellence and the Cavs want to showcase and educate fans on those who were the first to break barriers in the City of Cleveland. The organization will recognize Cleveland’s First such as Wayne Embry, John McLendon, Marion Motley, Bill Willis, Larry Doby, Frank Robinson, Blake Bolden, Jesse Owens and Carl Stokes
Valentine’s Day
February 14th vs. Chicago Bulls at 7:30 p.m.
Love is in the air at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse as the Cavs take on the Chicago Bulls. Join the organization as they celebrate love through fun in-game and concourse activations such as the KAY Kiss Cam, Cavs United love stories and a pregame singles event.
Education
February 22nd vs. Orlando Magic at 7 p.m.
The Cavs will conclude BHC by honoring Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) and the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC). NPHC consists of nine historically-black fraternities and sororities at various colleges and universities, also known as the Divine Nine. During the game, NPHC will have the opportunity to perform and participate in in-game activations. HBCU and NPHC students and alumni are encouraged to wear memorabilia to the game.