Atlanta

Atlanta Hawks

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'

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Hawks Dominate Magic in Home Opener

ATLANTA –- Last night the Atlanta Hawks and Delta formerly announced the expansion of their partnership by unveiling the Delta SKY360° Club at the award-winning State Farm Arena. The announcement came at an exclusive, Chef-driven event just prior to the start the team’s first preseason home game against the New Orleans Pelicans. Hawks Principal Owners Tony Ressler and Jami Gertz, Delta’s EVP and Chief People Office Joanne Smith, and Hawks CEO Steve Koonin were among those on hand to officially reintroduce the space to fans and the media with a special ribbon-ceremony and champagne toast. Formerly known as Courtside Club, Delta will be the exclusive naming rights partner for the top-tier premium club in the new venue.

“We are excited to have the iconic Atlanta-based and globally-recognized Delta brand the city’s most aspirational experience in what will now be known as the Delta SKY360° Club,” said Koonin. “The Hawks and Delta are unified in our commitment to providing a destination for Atlanta’s influencers, encompassing the worlds of business, sports, entertainment, tech and more in a dynamic atmosphere”.

The Delta SKY360° Club, which is exclusively for use by those Hawks courtside ticket members, is home to the one-of-kind Hawk Bar, the NBA’s only bar on the floor located just behind the basket. As part of the rebrand, the space features custom “MotoArt” décor pieces crafted from authentic aviation parts, and design elements that reflect the rich color scheme of the airline’s Zac Posen-designed uniforms.

“We are excited to expand our partnership with the Atlanta Hawks by opening the Delta SKY360° Club and believe this investment enhances the work already being done by the Hawks’ leadership to build a successful franchise and fan experience,” said Smith. “Just as we strive to offer a world-class experience in our airports, we are proud to bring unique but familiar elements into the Delta SKY360° Club for Hawks fans, many of whom are some Delta’s most loyal customers.”

State Farm Arena Executive Chef Joe Schafer, Atlanta restaurateur and Delta Chef Linton Hopkins, along with well-known Atlanta chefs Brian Wolfe of Kimball House and Terry Kaval of Wrecking Bar, all prepared custom dishes as part of a unique menu for the event. Afterward guests were invited to watch the team shootarounds before the start of the game that marked the NBA preseason debuts of Atlanta Hawks rookies De’Andre Hunter and Cam Reddish, along with Pelicans No. 1 pick Zion Williamson.

It has been nearly a full year since fans were introduced to the re-imagined $200 million State Farm Arena. In that short time, the arena has recognized for its superior live sports and entertainment venue, named No. 1 in Game Experience and Food and Beverage for the NBA, as well as being awarded the KultureCity Sensory Inclusive Venue of the Year and winning both the IAVM 2019 Venue of Excellence and ALSD Spotlight Award for Best Premium Club Spaces.

Visit hawks.com for the full game schedule and to purchase tickets for the Hawks 2019 – 20 season.

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Atlanta Hawks and Delta Unveil the New Delta SKY360° Club at the Award-Winning State Farm Arena

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Hawks Drop Preseason Contest Against Magic

ATLANTA –- Yesterday, the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm gathered 5,000 volunteers at State Farm Arena to pack over one million meals in the largest community initiative in the franchise’s 51-year history. Hawks Principal Owners Tony Ressler and Jami Gertz, State Farm Senior Vice President Dan Krause, Hawks CEO Steve Koonin, and NBA Hall of Famer and Hawks Legend Dominique Wilkins were joined by Congressman John Lewis (D-GA) to welcome and thank participants earlier in the day for donating their time in support of the Million Meal Pack. Hawks players, Vince Carter, Trae Young, John Collins, and De’Andre Hunter, along with Head Coach Lloyd Pierce closed out the final meal packing shift alongside volunteers reaching a final count of 1,020,672 meals.

The six 90-minute shifts of the event yielded:

“Our collaboration with State Farm is just beginning,” said Koonin. “From the incredible reach of this Million Meal Pack to the Hawks Court Renovations and State Farm Good Neighbor Clubs that we are creating at local recreation centers, we will continue to build even greater opportunities to bring together Atlantans to make a positive change in our community.”

The many individuals, families, community groups, schools, churches, and businesses that gathered on the floor of State Farm Arena were also working beside Hawks President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Travis Schlenk, Atlanta Hawks Alums including Kevin Willis, Jon Koncak, Cal Bowdler, Roshown McLeod, and Tony Delk, as well as Braves Alums Brian Jordan, Dwight Smith, and Marquis Grissom, State Farm agents and employees, Hawks staff, and several local government officials also lent a hand to the effort.

“Atlanta is a special community and today shows why,” said Krause. “Thousands of our neighbors came here on a Saturday, not for a game or to be entertained, but to help us address the issue of food insecurity in and around Atlanta.  Through this partnership with the Atlanta Hawks, our local agents and employees are thankful to serve a city who shares our commitment to strengthen communities.”

Every meal packed will be distributed by six local organizations serving various constituencies throughout metro Atlanta: Atlanta Community Food Bank, Second Helpings Atlanta, Fountain of Hope, Goodr, Lost-n-Found Youth, and Veterans Empowerment Organization of Georgia.

Non-profit Feeding Children Everywhere served as the logistics lead of the meal pack event. The organization, which is dedicated to creating a hunger-free world, provided statistics that show one in four children in Atlanta are facing hunger, while the number of high poverty neighborhoods in metro Atlanta has tripled since 2000, as the population has grown.

A little over a year ago, the Hawks and State Farm announced their official partnership, as the insurance market leader became the new naming rights partner of the NBA team’s home venue.  Since the inception of the relationship, the two brands have been focused on creating small acts that collectively have massive impact, as part of the State Farm Neighborhood of Good®.

Visit neighborhoodofgood.com and hawks.com/community to learn more about the work that State Farm and the Hawks are doing in the community.

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The Atlanta Hawks and State Farm® Rally 5,000 Volunteers to Surpass the One Million Meal Mark to Fight Hunger

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ATLANTA – The Atlanta Hawks have signed forward Marcus Derrickson, the team announced today. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

In 11 games last season with the Golden State Warriors, Derrickson averaged 4.2 points and 1.2 rebounds in 6.1 minutes (.485 FG%, .500 3FG%, .800 FT%). In 35 games (all starts) with the Santa Cruz Warriors of the NBA G League, he compiled 13.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 27.2 minutes (.467 FG%, .421 3FG%, .841 FT%).

The 6’7” forward signed a contract with Golden State on Aug. 13, 2018, and had that deal converted into a two-way contract on Oct. 13, 2018.

Derrickson played three collegiate seasons at Georgetown, and in 29 games (all starts) as a junior in 2017-18, averaged 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 32.0 minutes (.505 FG%, .465 3FG%, .863 FT%) en route to All-Big East Second Team honors.

After spending three years at Paul VI Catholic High School in Fairfax, VA, Derrickson finished his prep career at Brewster Academy in New Hampshire, where he led the Bobcats to a National Prep Championship in 2015.

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Atlanta Hawks Sign Marcus Derrickson

ATLANTA – Earlier today the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm announced the biggest community initiative in the team’s history, a commitment to rally the community for a Million Meal Pack on Saturday, October 5 at State Farm Arena. At simultaneous interviews across all three Entercom radio morning shows - V-103’s The Morning Culture, 92.9 The Game’s John &amp; Hugh and Star 94.1’s Jenn &amp; Friends - it was revealed that more than 5,000 volunteers would be needed to help assemble the meals that will be distributed throughout the Atlanta metro area under the direction of Feeding Children Everywhere, an organization dedicated to creating a hunger-free world.

Hawks CEO Steve Koonin, Hawks Legend Dominique Wilkins, State Farm’s Enterprise Technology Executive DeWayne Griffin, Hawks E.V.P. of External Affairs, David Lee, Hawks V.P. of Corporate Social Responsibility Andrea Carter and CEO of Feeding Children Everywhere Dave Green were at the various shows to inspire their listening audiences and encourage them to volunteer for the project.

“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. “Lack of access to regular, nutritious meals is an issue for many Atlantans and we are urging the participation of our friends, fans, and the entire city to help us reach the goal of producing one million meal packs to help address this crucial need.” 

The food assembly will require six 90-minute shifts with 700 – 900 volunteers each to reach the target number of meals. The meals from the event will be a shelf-stable, dried Jambalaya mix that yields 6 servings when prepared.  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 during that day. Those in attendance will be volunteering alongside influencers from the worlds of sports, entertainment, government and business, during a family-fun filled day with music, performances, free swag, giveaways and more.

Every person that completes a volunteer shift will receive 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 2019 – 20 season schedule.

”Giving back and strengthening communities is deeply embedded in the State Farm culture.” said DeWayne Griffin, Enterprise Technology Executive at State Farm.  Local State Farm agents and employees are excited to partner with the Atlanta Hawks and the Atlanta community to impact the realities of food insecurity by working together with thousands of volunteers to make sure one million of our neighbors receive a good meal.”

Statistics provided by Feeding Children Everywhere show that one in four children in Atlanta are facing hunger, while the number of high poverty neighborhoods in metro Atlanta has tripled since 2000, as the population has grown.

Nearly a year ago the Hawks and State Farm announced their official partnership when the largest auto insurer in the U.S. became the new naming rights partner of the NBA team’s home venue, formerly known as Philips Arena.  Since the inception of the relationship, the two brands have been focused on creating small acts that collectively have a massive impact, as part of the State Farm Neighborhood of Good.

VOLUNTEER NOW at hawks.com/mealpack. Showing up for just 90 minutes on October 5 will make a positive difference in the lives of thousands of Atlantans.