The NBA today announced it will return to Greater Cleveland, the host of NBA All-Star 2022, to continue its work alongside the Cavaliers and local community organizations to provide programming and support that focus on youth, education, health and wellness, inclusion and economic empowerment.
Over the course of three days, the NBA and Cavaliers will partner on seven events, tipping off on Wednesday, June 15 and concluding on Friday, June 17. The celebrations and outreach will be highlighted by refurbished community spaces for youth with support from Kaiser Permanente, a historical marker commemorating the site of the 1967 Cleveland Summit, and programming to engage local youth, entrepreneurs, elected officials, and members of the LGBTQ+ and disability communities. NBA Global Ambassador Dikembe Mutombo and NBA Cares Ambassador Jason Collins as well as WNBA and Cavaliers Legends will interact with young people and community leaders as part of the events and programs.
The programs and events will build on the NBA family’s support of Greater Cleveland and the HBCU Community as part of NBA All-Star 2022 in February, which included participation in Mayor Bibb’s citywide efforts to encourage vaccination, highlighting more than 100 diverse-owned businesses as part of the NBA All-Star Rewards Program, dedicating the 2,000th Live, Learn or Play Center at the Cudell Recreation Center and hosting the first-ever NBA HBCU Classic presented by AT&T. In total, more than $3 million was contributed, including $450,000 raised for Team LeBron’s beneficiary, Kent State University Foundation’s “I Promise Scholars Support Fund” and $300,000 for Team Durant’s beneficiary, the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, during the All-Star Game.
Wednesday, June 15
Cavaliers NBA 75th Live, Learn or Play Legacy Project Unveil
In partnership with the NBA as part of the NBA 75th Live, Learn or Play initiative to celebrate the league’s 75th season, the Cavaliers, the City of Cleveland and Sherwin-Williams will unveil their newest Cavs Care Legacy Project, the Mindfulness Learning Space at Earle B. Turner Neighborhood Resource Center. The space provides a safe and quiet area for community members to enjoy and furthers the mission to support the development and well-being of youth in Northeast Ohio. The grand opening will include a press conference with local executives and government officials, followed by a ribbon cutting, as well as a youth basketball clinic led by Cavs Youth Basketball coaches.
Thursday, June 16
Jr. NBA Celebration at Cavs Academy Camp
The Jr. NBA will celebrate the conclusion of the Cavs Academy Camp – a multi-day youth basketball event teaching youth the fundamentals and values of the game – at Independence Field House. NBA and WNBA legends will engage the youth in skills and drills, competitions and camp awards. The Jr. NBA will also provide the opportunity for additional youth from the City of Cleveland Recreation Centers to attends the camp.
NBA All-Star FIT Celebration presented by Kaiser Permanente
Working in partnership with Kaiser Permanente, the NBA will renovate spaces at the Boys &
Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio - King Kennedy Branch, including a new basketball court and wellness and education spaces. Former NBA and WNBA players will engage the youth club members in on-court clinics as well as educational and mindfulness activities that encourage total health.
Friday, June 17
National Basketball Social Justice Coalition Cleveland Summit Historical Marker Unveiling
In recognition of the 55th Anniversary of the 1967 Cleveland Summit and its lasting imprint on the history of athlete activism, the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition will partner with the Cavaliers and other local stakeholders to dedicate a new historical marker designed by youth designers from the Marcus Graham Project, a Cavaliers community partner and NBA Foundation grantee, at the original site of the Summit. Former Cleveland Brown and Summit participant, Walter Beach, as well as Coalition Executive Director Cadogan, Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb, City Council president Blaine Griffin, and youth designers from the Marcus Graham Project will be in attendance for the ceremony.
Adaptive Sports Wheelchair Basketball Clinic at Broadway Boys and Girls Club
The Jr. NBA and Cavs Youth Sports will host an adaptive sports basketball clinic focused on the fundamentals of the game for 50 youth from Empower Sports, Adaptive Sports Ohio, Achievement Centers for Children at the Broadway Boys and Girls Club. The clinic will consist of dribbling, passing, shooting and defense stations, fun competitions and games, as well as instruction on how to play wheelchair basketball.
Basketball Court Dedication and Community Conversation with Studio West 117 and LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland
On Friday, members of the NBA family will visit the Studio West 117 community center in
Cleveland and dedicate a new basketball facility and community space before engaging local LGBTQ youth and community members in candid conversations about inclusion and allyship.
NBA Foundation Pitch Competition
In partnership with national nonprofit, Black Girl Ventures, the NBA Foundation will host a pitch competition where seven college-aged Black and Brown entrepreneurs from HBCUs will present their business concept for a chance to win capital. The entrepreneurs are part of BGV’s NextGen Program, a grantee of the NBA Foundation that seeks to create access to capital, capacity, and community for student entrepreneurs ranging from 18-24 years old. Members of the NBA family and local Cleveland business leaders will serve as judges for the competition, evaluating