community

Hawks Two-Way Players Chaundee Brown Jr. and Sharife Cooper Were Joined by Volunteers from Hawks and UPS to Pack and Distribute One-Week Supply of Groceries at ‘Books and Bites’ Pop-Up Festival

ATLANTA – On Friday, June 24, the Atlanta Hawks and UPS, the team’s official delivery and hometown Atlanta logistics partner, joined together with Goodr, an Atlanta-based social impact startup leveraging technology to reduce food waste and end hunger, to provide a one-week supply of groceries, easy-to-prepare recipes and age-appropriate books for more than 300 families in Fulton County. The event provided students and families, with many of those in the Therrell Cluster, with nutritious meals, reading materials and activities to help combat summer slide. 

Joining on site to assist were Hawks two-way players Chaundee Brown Jr. and Sharife Cooper as well as&nbsp;members of Hawks Entertainment including Harry the Hawk and the ATL Hawks Dancers.&nbsp;

“We are grateful to UPS in joining us in this effort to fight local food insecurity,” said Hawks Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility Andrea Carter. “Coming together with Goodr for ‘Books and Bites’ and finding meaningful ways to engage underserved families speaks to our values as an organization and what it means to be ‘True To Atlanta.’”

At the Greenbriar Mall parking lot, executives and volunteers from Hawks and UPS packed and distributed books and free groceries such as shelf-stable items, snacks for children, fruits, beverages, ready-made meals and more.

Additional activities included a bounce house, book reading area and lounge, tailgate games, snack area, balloon art, face painting, a dental and vision assessment area and more.&nbsp;Executives in Human Resources from UPS also spoke to participating families about job openings.

“Goodr is always honored to partner with the Atlanta Hawks and UPS to support underserved Atlantans,” Goodr Founder and CEO Jasmine Crowe said. “Feeding both body and mind is important. This means that the impact of ‘Books and Bites’ will last beyond just the meals provided for the families involved.”

In Nov. 2021, the Atlanta Hawks and UPS provided Thanksgiving Day essentials to more than 350 families in Clayton County. The event featured Hawks Head Coach Nate McMillan, Assistant Coach Joe Prunty and Hawks players Clint Capela and Jalen Johnson, who were joined by UPS employees and volunteers to pack and distribute groceries for free in time for the holiday. In Dec. 2021, the Hawks announced Jasmine Crowe, Founder and CEO of Goodr as a recipient of the ‘Forever 404 Honors presented by Sharecare.’

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Hawks and UPS Team up with Goodr to provide Groceries and Books to more than 300 Families in Fulton County

Thirty Teens Learn Effective Coping Mechanisms Through Morning Yoga Sessions

COLLEGE PARK, Ga. – Earlier today, the Atlanta Hawks Foundation and Good Sports hosted a Project Rebound event for local teens, ages 15-18, highlighting the benefits of yoga. Project Rebound is an initiative launched by the Hawks Foundation and Good Sports in 2018 to provide grants for basketball equipment to area youth-serving organizations and resources that support health and wellness initiatives that lead to healthier lifestyles. As part of the 13 grants awarded this year, the two organizations came together to host a yoga wellness event for International Yoga Day.&nbsp;

“We are excited to team up with Good Sports again for our Yoga Wellness Event at Georgia Preparatory Academy,” said Hawks’ Executive Vice President of External Affairs and Executive Director for the Atlanta Hawks Foundation David Lee. “Through this activity, we will continue to bring new experiences to our teens by producing inclusive experiences everyone can both learn from and enjoy.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Approximately 30 teens were selected from the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice and participated in two yoga classes. Teens learned about how the practice of yoga serves as an effective coping tool that can help maintain both internal control and a positive self-image.&nbsp;

“I would like to thank the Atlanta Hawks Foundation for supporting youth health with the Yoga Wellness Program at the Atlanta Youth Development Campus,” said Department of Juvenile Justice Commissioner Tyrone Oliver. “Community partnerships remain vital in helping our youth to grow and thrive, and the Atlanta Hawks have stepped up as a good corporate citizen for the overall health of our region.”

As part of the larger Project Rebound initiative for the 2021-22 season, the Hawks Foundation and Good Sports donated new basketball and fitness equipment and resources to 13 local organizations working in high need communities.&nbsp;

“Good Sports is excited to continue working on the Project Rebound initiative with the Atlanta Hawks Foundation,” said Good Sports, Co-Founder and CEO Melissa Harper. “Together, we are thrilled to support these organizations and the children they serve with equipment and resources to lead a healthy and active lifestyle.”

Good Sports drives equitable access in youth sports and physical activity, by supporting children in high-need communities to achieve their greatest potential, on the field and in life. Due to high equipment costs and limited budgets, youth sports programs in low-income communities are challenged to source adequate equipment and are forced to charge participation fees that many families struggle to afford. Good Sports works to eliminate the financial barrier to play by donating brand-new equipment, apparel and footwear to youth programs in need.

The Hawks Foundation and Good Sports have led efforts in multiple community-focused initiatives to better serve Metro Atlanta youth. Last year during NBA Fit Week, the two organizations teamed up with Hawks guard Kevin Huerter and brought Hawks Play Packs to youth within the community in an effort to continue to encourage play.&nbsp;To learn more about the Hawks’ work in the community, visit Hawks.com/community.

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Hawks Foundation and Good Sports Lead Teens Through Yoga Wellness Event at Georgia Preparatory Academy

College Students Learn Importance of Implementing Diverse and Inclusive Leadership Principles Through One-Day Seminar

ATLANTA –&nbsp;Earlier today, the Atlanta Hawks and Papa Johns hosted an interactive workshop entitled, ‘Why Inclusive Leaders are Good for Organizations and How to Become One,’ for students from surrounding universities at Morehouse College. This interactive workshop was geared toward students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and taught what inclusive leadership looks like and how it creates positive and productive work environments that encourage the success of team members, organizations and the communities they serve.

“It’s essential for students to learn the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion not only in the workplace but also in their current leadership spaces,” said Hawks’ Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility Andrea Carter. “Through sharing our stories and insights, we hope to grow students as future leaders who make others feel heard, respected and valued.”

The workshop began with representatives from the Hawks’ ‘True To You’ Career Center and Papa Johns to discuss career opportunities and professional development. Then, the workshop continued with guest speakers Dr. Derek Greenfield, a diversity, equity and inclusion expert as well as an HBCU Administrator, and Nicholas Payne, HBCU graduate and serial entrepreneur, who discussed the importance of inclusive leadership in the workplace. Following this session, Dr. Greenfield led the students through a small group activity to practice inclusive leadership and further their practical knowledge of diversity, equity and inclusion.

“At, Papa Johns, we celebrate everyone’s unique flavor,” said Papa Johns Director of Corporate Affairs and Corporate Responsibility Jenn Garner. “By partnering to host this workshop with the Atlanta Hawks, a team that brings together fans of all ages and backgrounds from across the region, we hope to empower the next generation of leaders in building more inclusive and diverse communities.”

Later in the morning, Dr. Greenfield and local social media influencer Christina ‘Ms. Basketball’ Granville moderated a panel to further discuss inclusive leadership in the 21st century. This panel featured Morehouse College alumnus and Hawks Director of Live Programming and Video Production Andre Hickman and Papa Johns Manager of Multicultural and Branding Amanda Moore. To wrap up the event, Papa Johns provided lunch for a short roundtable discussion for students to reflect on the workshop.

In February, the Hawks announced a multi-year exclusive partnership with Papa Johns to become the team’s official pizza partner. Friday’s workshop is a part of the Hawks and Papa Johns ‘Business of Basketball’ events, which are focused on youth, inclusive leadership and engagement with the area’s HBCUs. Additionally, the partnership focuses on positively impacting the community in multiple ways including ‘Hawks Spirit Days’, memorable experiences for youth at select Community Centers around Atlanta.To learn more about the Hawks’ work in the community, visit&nbsp;Hawks.com/community.&nbsp;

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Hawks and Papa Johns Lead Local Students Through 'Interactive Workshop on Inclusive Leadership'

Hawks Two-Way Guard Sharife Cooper On Site to Help Open Eighth State Farm Good Neighbor Club, Which Will Positively Impact Thousands of Decatur Residents

DECATUR, Ga. –Hawks Two-Way Guard Sharife Cooper On Site to Help Open Eighth State Farm Good Neighbor Club, Which Will Positively Impact Thousands of Decatur Residents

Earlier today, the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm unveiled a newly renovated, multi-functional Good Neighbor Club at N.H. Scott Recreation Center in Decatur, Ga. The space includes new and exciting features that will be beneficial for all youth with access to this facility. Features of the new Good Neighbor Club include a new projector screen and popcorn machine for shows and movie nights, two new flat screen TVs, classroom tables for homework assistance, a tech and gaming area, Ping Pong table and large bean bags in a reading nook/open play area. Special guest and Hawks two-way guard Sharife Cooper also attended to commemorate the eighth club unveiling.

“We are proud to return to N.H. Scott Recreation Center and unveil our eighth Good Neighbor Club with State Farm,” said Andrea Carter, Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility, Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena. “The unveiling of the basketball courts in 2017 paired with our new Good Neighbor Club demonstrates our continued commitment to creating enriching opportunities and safe spaces for Atlanta’s youth.”

In June 2017, the Atlanta Hawks Foundation and the DeKalb County Department of Recreation, Parks &amp; Cultural Affairs hosted a special ceremony to unveil state-of-the-art basketball courts at N.H. Scott Recreation Center.

“At State Farm, investing in the communities where we live, work and do business is foundational to who we are. It’s the tangible part of being like a Good Neighbor that people can truly experience,” said Sam McCammon, State Farm Southeastern Area Vice President. “We’re thrilled with our continued partnership with the Atlanta Hawks and the launch of this 8th Good Neighbor Club, just in time for summer break for the kids in the community to enjoy.”

The event featured summertime favorites including an outdoor bounce house and obstacle course, carnival games. Local youth also participated in basketball-related skills challenges, a dance clinic hosted by the ATL Dancers, and explored the brand-new Good Neighbor Club.

“We are proud of our strong partnership with the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm and appreciate their continued investment in the lives of DeKalb County’s youth,” said DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond.

“I am extremely grateful for the investment the Hawks and State Farm are making at N.H. Scott Park,” continued Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, Commissioner of District 7 in DeKalb County, Ga. “This investment will have a profound impact on the community and greatly enhances the park as a place of learning and recreation for the community.”

The Hawks and State Farm have led efforts in multiple community-focused initiatives to better serve Metro Atlanta. In addition to efforts to fight food insecurity locally, the Hawks and State Farm have previously teamed up to open seven additional Good Neighbor Clubs in locations such as: William Walker Recreation Center in Atlanta, Lucky Shoals Park in Gwinnett, Lynwood Park in Brookhaven, Bessie Branham in Decatur, Ron Anderson Recreation Center in Cobb County, Welcome All Park in South Fulton and Coan Park Recreation Center in Atlanta.

In May, the Hawks and State Farm announced the team’s largest service initiative, a commitment to rally the community for a Million Meal Pack event on Saturday, July 16 at the award-winning State Farm Arena. The organizations will work with U.S. Hunger, a hunger relief organization with innovative programs designed to help feed people struggling with food insecurity.

To learn more about the Hawks’ work in the community, visit Hawks.com/community.

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HAWKS AND STATE FARM® UNVEIL NEW GOOD NEIGHBOR CLUB AT N.H. SCOTT RECREATION CENTER

ATLANTA – Earlier today, the Atlanta Hawks Basketball Academy surprised more than 65 youth at Lynwood Park in Atlanta to launch the return of the 2022 Community Court Summer Tour. For a second consecutive summer, the tour will surprise more than 1,250 youth with pop-up basketball and fitness activities at existing day camps located at 14 of the Hawks’ community basketball courts.

Throughout the summer, the Hawks will provide a special half-day session for youth, ages six to 16, with a curriculum that focuses heavily on teaching basketball fundamentals and fitness basics with an emphasis on staying physically active, character development and having fun.

“This program is a slam dunk for the Hawks in the community. We are thrilled to provide hundreds of Atlanta’s youth the opportunity to enjoy a safe and memorable basketball experience with us this summer,” said Hawks’ Vice President of Basketball Development Jon Babul. “The community court program provides a fun environment where the next generation of Hawks fans can grow their love of the game while also learning the fundamentals of life.”

The tour will continue throughout June and July at various locations including but not limited to: Ron Anderson Recreation Center, Lynwood Park, Welcome All Park &amp; Multipurpose Facility, Gresham Park, William Walker Rec Center, Bessie Branham Park, Central Park, the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center and Aquatic Center, Coan Park Recreation Center and Westside At-Promise Center.

In April, the Hawks and Microsoft announced a multiyear partnership that aims to provide opportunities and resources in underserved areas of Atlanta through sport, technology and community programming. As part of this partnership, the Hawks and Microsoft will activate STEM and basketball-themed programming for five dates of the Community Court Summer Tour.

In June 2021, the Community Court Summer Tour presented by adidas began to provide a safe, socially distanced and outdoor experience for metro Atlanta youth during the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 750 youth were surprised by the Hawks Basketball Academy as part of the initial tour. Hawks Basketball Academy also launched Hawks at Home in the summer of 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which was an innovative online program created to educate and help youth stay active.

To learn more about camp opportunities and other youth basketball programs with the Hawks, visit HawksBasketballAcademy.com.

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Hawks Basketball Academy Embarks on ‘2022 Community Court Summer Tour’

ATLANTA – Today the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm announced the team’s largest service initiative, a commitment to rally the community for a Million Meal Pack event on Saturday, July 16 at the award-winning State Farm Arena. The organizations are seeking more than 5,000 volunteers to help assemble one million meals that will be distributed throughout the metro Atlanta area with the operational support of U.S. Hunger, a hunger relief organization with innovative programs designed to help feed people struggling with food insecurity. Statistics provided by the Atlanta Community Food Bank show that nearly one in eight Georgians are living with food insecurity, including one in six children.

Beginning today, volunteer registration is open to the public at Hawks.com/mealpack. Each person that completes a volunteer shift will receive a free t-shirt, along with a voucher for a free pair of tickets to an upcoming Hawks home game. Exact game dates will be available following the release of the 2022-23 season schedule.&nbsp;

“The partnership between the Hawks and State Farm is rooted in a commitment to improving our community,” said Steve Koonin, CEO of the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena. “We are excited to invite all of Atlanta to volunteer with us and help us pack one million meals as we make a monumental effort to fight food insecurity locally.”

As part of this one-day initiative, the Hawks and State Farm are asking employee and community groups, schools, churches, sororities, fraternities, and local businesses, along with individuals ages five and up to register for at least one shift on Saturday, July 16. Those in attendance will be volunteering alongside influencers from the worlds of sports, entertainment, government, and business, during a fun-filled day with music, performances, free swag and more suitable for the entire family.

"Giving back and strengthening communities are deeply embedded in State Farm's culture," said Dan Krause, Southeastern Market Area Senior Vice President at State Farm. “As we celebrate our organization’s 100th anniversary, we look forward to once again joining our local State Farm agents, employees, the Atlanta Hawks and the Atlanta community in the fight to reduce food insecurity in this incredible city."

The food assembly will require six 90-minute meal-packing shifts with approximately 700-900 volunteers as part of each shift to reach the target number of meals. The meals from the event will be a nutritious, shelf-stable, dried Jambalaya mix that yields six servings when prepared. After completing a volunteer shift, they will be invited to participate in a post-volunteer celebration on State Farm Drive that will have games, refreshments, music and fun.

The Hawks and State Farm hosted their first Million Meal Pack in 2019, where more than 5,000 volunteers filled the arena and prepared over one million meals. The meals were then distributed to local Atlantans through seven community food bank organizations.

“We are extremely proud to come together again with State Farm to provide nutritious meals for our neighbors in need through Million Meal Pack,” said Andrea Carter, Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility, Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena. On July 16, many will come together to make a difference in the lives of those without reliable access to affordable, nutritious food. We encourage everyone to share the link with their networks and join us.”

The Hawks and State Farm have led efforts in multiple community-focused initiatives to better serve Metro Atlanta. In addition to Million Meal Pack, the two organizations have collaborated on high-impact endeavors such as providing free pop-up grocery stores in partnership with Goodr Inc., for elderly and underserved citizens in Metro Atlanta. Additionally, they partnered to enhance the Snack Pack Program, giving over 24,000 snack packs to youth throughout the school year and during summer break.

For more information and to register for the Hawks and State Farm’s Million Meal Pack visit Hawks.com/mealpack.

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Hawks and State Farm® Announce Team's Largest Community Effort With ‘Million Meal Pack’ Initiative

ATLANTA -– Earlier today, the Atlanta Hawks and Silence the Shame, Inc. hosted a&nbsp;Youth Mental Wellness COPE&nbsp;(Community Outreach and Practice Effort) Clinic as part of Mental Health Awareness Month. One hundred youth came together for a series of wellness activities that taught youth how to normalize mental wellness conversations and erase the stigma around mental health challenges.&nbsp;

Facilitated by Silence the Shame, Inc. (STS), a non-profit organization committed to improving suicide rates among vulnerable populations, the clinic aimed to increase mental health literacy and access to behavioral health services, support positive youth development for at-risk youth and increase community engagement in supporting youth resiliency and social connectedness.&nbsp;The clinic also featured a fireside chat moderated by Silence the Shame Founder and CEO Shanti Das and RIAA Platinum recording artist Mooski as a panelist. Mooski shared stories about past traumas and depression, joining the U.S. Marines Corps before becoming an artist and how faith and music helps him maintain mental wellness.&nbsp;

Various wellness activity stations included a jump rope and hula-hoop station, basketball free throw station, yoga station, dance choreography with the ATL Hawks Dancers and more. Youth also participated in breakout sessions and heard from Rapper and Songwriter Kai Ca$h and other special guests share tips for maintaining wellness.

“We are proud to continue conversations surrounding mental health with Silence the Shame for the Youth Mental Wellness COPE Clinic,” said Hawks’ Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility Andrea Carter. “Through our ongoing collaborative efforts, we hope young people will help themselves, support others and make healthy decisions.”&nbsp;

In March, the Hawks and Silence the Shame announced a multi-initiative collaborative campaign dedicated to eliminating mental health stigma and reducing health disparities. To tip off this initiative, Hawks All-Star guard Trae Young and five-time GRAMMY® Award-nominated singer-songwriter Chlöe participated in a&nbsp;Teen Mental Wellness Courtside Chat&nbsp;and discussed their experiences with mental health and wellness.

“We are truly grateful to come together again with the Atlanta Hawks for a clinic that puts our young people’s mental health at the forefront,” said Shanti Das, Silence The Shame. “Having allies like the Hawks help to amplify our purpose, educate the community on mental wellness and healthy coping and promote suicide prevention.”

Silence the Shame creates and promotes culturally responsive content and increases literacy on social determinants of mental health and suicide prevention for vulnerable populations. Since 2016, Silence the Shame has been working throughout the music industry to promote proper mental health training and awareness among artists, employees and executives.

The clinic was held at the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation and Aquatic Center. In January 2019, the Hawks unveiled their 23rd&nbsp;basketball court at the Center in conjunction with the King family as part of a larger effort to build 25 courts throughout metro Atlanta by 2020.&nbsp;

To learn more about the Hawks’ work in the community, visit&nbsp;Hawks.com/community.

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Hawks and 'Silence the Shame' Inspire 100 Youth with One-Day Mental Wellness Clinic

NEW YORK, May 3, 2022 -– Fan voting for the 2021-22 Seasonlong NBA Cares Community Assist Award will begin today on social media at noon ET and conclude on Saturday, May 14 at 11:59 p.m. ET, the NBA today announced.&nbsp; Selected by fans and an NBA executive panel, the seasonlong winner will be announced during the postseason.

The seasonlong award honors a player’s continued commitment to positively impact his community through sustained efforts and difference-making work over the course of the season.&nbsp; The winner will receive the award during a virtual presentation with team, league and Kaiser Permanente officials, and a $75,000 donation from the NBA and Kaiser Permanente will be made on his behalf to an organization of his choosing to commemorate the league’s 75th anniversary season.

Fans can now vote for their preferred seasonlong award nominee via Jebbit, a mobile platform specializing in data collection, where they can view and select videos highlighting each player’s impact.&nbsp; They are also able to vote on Twitter by using #NBACommunityAssist and a player’s handle or #PlayerFirstNameLastName (e.g., #DavidRobinson).&nbsp; Votes cast via Jebbit then reposted on Twitter will count as two separate votes and retweets will also be counted.

The 10 nominees include the offseason winner, six monthly winners and three additional players selected by the NBA for their exceptional community work.&nbsp; The NBA Cares Community Assist Award presented by Kaiser Permanente recognizes an NBA player each month who best reflects the passion that the league and its players share for giving back to their communities, and honors the standard set by NBA Legend David Robinson, who improved the community piece by piece.&nbsp; The 2021-22 Seasonlong nominees are listed below:

&nbsp;Bismack Biyombo -&nbsp;Phoenix Suns

&nbsp;Robert Covington -&nbsp;LA Clippers

Gary Payton II -&nbsp;Golden State Warriors

Karl-Anthony Towns -&nbsp;Minnesota Timberwolves

To learn more about the NBA Cares Community Assist Award presented&nbsp;by Kaiser Permanente, please visit https://communityassist.nba.com/.