In celebration of Black History Month, the LA Clippers are honoring the historical achievements of African Americans by telling stories of the Angelenos carrying on that legacy. Throughout February, the Clippers are highlighting Black-owned businesses founded by leaders in Los Angeles and Black staff members from the Clippers, the Forum and the Agua Caliente Clippers of Ontario, showcasing how their achievements and passions have shaped the organization’s culture.
“We are excited to use our platforms and collective voice to spotlight the employees of color that make all three of our organizations thrive, and to support the Black-owned businesses that help to shape and strengthen our communities.” said Denise Booth, LA Clippers Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer.
In 2020, Black employees across the LA Clippers, the Forum, and the Agua Caliente Clippers established the “Black Community Alliance” (BCA), a resource group for empowerment and equality created for employees to have a voice, unite for change, and create personal and professional development opportunities. This month, BCA has launched www.clippers.com/blackhistory to serve as a hub for Clippers Black History Month content. The website profiles Black employees from across the Clippers organization, sharing the stories of their professional journeys and why Black History Month is important to them. It will also publish a short film featuring the inspirational stories of Clippers forward Marcus Morris Sr. and the impact that he has had on the community through his “Family over Everything Foundation,” and long-time Clippers fan Kenya Barris, the writer, producer, director, actor, and Inglewood native best known for the ABC sitcom “Black-ish,” movie “Girls Trip” and Netflix sitcom “#blackAF.” The website also features recommendations of books and films celebrating Black excellence, and the ability to register for upcoming Black History Month events, lectures, and workshops held by cultural institutions, including the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the California African American Museum, and the National Civil Rights Museum.
This month also marks the launch of a new initiative from the LA Clippers presented by LA-based Honey, the official jersey patch partner of the team. “LA Clippers Local Business Partners presented by Honey” is a program designed to provide resources, support, and promotion for selected businesses across Los Angeles for each remaining month this season. Throughout February, six Black-owned businesses in L.A. are receiving exposure through social media posts, email offers, and the Clippers App each game day. Additionally, the Clippers will premiere videos about each of the featured businesses, highlighting the unique and inspiring journey of each owner and their business.
Featured businesses include:
- Alta Adams Restaurant, West Adams - A soul food restaurant that is dedicated to cultivating an equitable environment that celebrates inclusivity and empowers rising culinary talent, while serving delicious food that brings communities together; Alta Adams predominately employs residents of Watts, CA and those seeking a fresh start following incarceration
- Harriet’s Cheesecakes Unlimited, Inglewood – Owned and operated by Harriet Parks, and has been serving up homemade cheesecake in Southern California since 1983
- Hilltop Coffee, Inglewood, Eagle Rock, and View Park - A boutique coffee shop focused on creating an inclusive environment for creatives and engaging the local community
- GALERIE.LA, - Founded by celebrity stylist Dechel Mckillian in 2015 with the mission to bring socially-conscious fashion to the masses
- Bid Black, Los Angeles - Nonprofit agency to promote, normalize, and represent Black talent across the entertainment industry, with a focus on film
- ThinkWatts, Watts - Nonprofit founded by rapper, producer, songwriter, and entrepreneur Brandon “Stix” Salaam-Bailey, offers programs such as free financial literacy courses, a weekly meal program, and entrepreneurship training
For more information on each business, and to watch each business’s feature film, fans can visit www.clippers.com/writethestory. Write the Story is a season-long campaign that highlights Clippers fans whose personal journeys of embracing the grind and relentlessly pursuing their goals embody “L.A. Our Way.”
The Clippers are committed to fostering positive change and creating a level playing field for employees and the local community year-round. The LA Clippers Foundation annually dedicates resources and opportunities towards making a positive difference for SoCal youth, and Clippers, Forum and Agua Caliente Clippers employees have formed LACED UP (Leadership and Action for Change, Equality and Diversity United for Progress), a committee made up of more than 70 employee volunteers that is focused on promoting a culture of diversity and inclusion. Since its inception, LACED UP has launched and implemented programming around voting, social justice education, youth mentorship and volunteerism.