Atlanta Hawks

Pregame Panel presented by Chase&nbsp;Featuring Financial Experts&nbsp;To&nbsp;Take Place&nbsp;in the Suite Level Event Space at Arena;&nbsp;World-Renowned&nbsp;Alvin Ailey’s&nbsp;Arts In Education & Community Programs&nbsp;and Members of the ATL Hawks Dancers&nbsp;to Perform Tribute to The Life and Legacy of Dr. King&nbsp;at Halftime

ATLANTA&nbsp;– The Atlanta Hawks today announced plans to host their&nbsp;annual&nbsp;‘MLK Day&nbsp;Game&nbsp;presented by Chase’&nbsp;at the award-winning State Farm&nbsp;Arena&nbsp;on&nbsp;Monday,&nbsp;Jan.&nbsp;16.&nbsp;As part of the overall game experience,&nbsp;Alvin Ailey’s Arts In Education & Community Programs, along with members of the ATL Hawks Dancers&nbsp;willperform&nbsp;a tribute to&nbsp;the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King,&nbsp;Jr.&nbsp;The Hawks, who&nbsp;are set to&nbsp;play&nbsp;Miami&nbsp;at3:30 p.m.,&nbsp;have limited tickets remaining for fans who want to&nbsp;attend the game, which&nbsp;can be purchased at&nbsp;Hawks.com/tickets.&nbsp;In addition, a&nbsp;black Atlanta Hawks&nbsp;rally towel will be provided to all fans in attendance, courtesy of Chase. &nbsp;

“The Atlanta Hawks are excited to continue celebrating the legacy, influence and life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” said Melissa Proctor, EVP and Chief Marketing Officer for the Hawks and State Farm Arena. “During our annual ‘MLK Day&nbsp;Game presented by Chase’, fans should arrive early to experience our signature, MLK Day game gospel choir player introductions, learn about people doing amazing work in our community&nbsp;and experience interactive elements that honor the legacy of Dr. King.”

Prior to the game, the Hawks are&nbsp;hosting&nbsp;a&nbsp;special panel&nbsp;at 1:45 p.m.&nbsp;presented by Chase titled, “Advancing the Legacy:&nbsp;Investing in the Next Generation”&nbsp;featuring panelists Mathilda Lambert (VP,&nbsp;Community&nbsp;& Business Development,&nbsp;Chase), Kiersten Saunders&nbsp;(Author and Co-owner, rich & REGULAR&nbsp;and&nbsp;Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away)&nbsp;and David Shands&nbsp;(Author and Owner, SleepIs4Suckers and The Social&nbsp;Proof Podcast).&nbsp;Eric D. Tidwell, Esq.&nbsp;(Managing Director and&nbsp;General Counsel for&nbsp;the&nbsp;Dr.&nbsp;Martin Luther King Jr. Estate) will provide&nbsp;the&nbsp;opening&nbsp;remarks.&nbsp;Chase is the U.S. consumer and commercial banking business of JPMorgan Chase & Co, and&nbsp;official bank, credit card, wealth management and investment banking partner&nbsp;of the Hawks and State Farm Arena.&nbsp;Moderated by Keisha Lancelin&nbsp;(Public Affairs Director, CW69),&nbsp;the panel will&nbsp;focus&nbsp;on&nbsp;conversation&nbsp;that&nbsp;engages&nbsp;college students on the importance of financial&nbsp;health&nbsp;and the value of understanding financial&nbsp;concepts&nbsp;that&nbsp;yield dividends in their future.&nbsp;This discussion&nbsp;will be&nbsp;open&nbsp;to&nbsp;fans&nbsp;who have a ticket for the game&nbsp;and&nbsp;have&nbsp;RSVP’d&nbsp;to attend&nbsp;the panel.&nbsp;Fans&nbsp;who purchase tickets will receive an&nbsp;invite link&nbsp;to&nbsp;RSVP.&nbsp;The panel will&nbsp;also&nbsp;be&nbsp;live streamed&nbsp;at&nbsp;Hawks.com/stream.

“Chase is honored to be part of an event that not only pays tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy, but promotes the path to financial freedom for all,” said Mathilda Lambert VP, Community & Business Development at Chase.&nbsp;“In celebrating Dr. King, we are helping Hawks fans learn actionable ways to take control of their credit, achieve financial health and take one step closer to reducing the wealth gap for their families and in their communities.”

To tip off the festivities, CONTAGIOUS!, the worship ministry from The&nbsp;dReam&nbsp;Center Church of Atlanta, will sing the player introductions along with the national anthem,&nbsp;led by 3-time GRAMMY® Award-nominated gospel artist Bishop William Murphy. Singer, songwriter Murphy is known for his chart-topping hits “Praise is What I Do” and “It’s Working”.

At halftime, Ailey Arts In Education & Community Programs will lead members of the ATL Hawks Dancers and various Atlanta dance groups (AREA, Atlanta Ballet, Atlanta Dance Connection, Ballethnic, Dance Canvas, Moving in the Spirit and Tri-Cities) in a celebration of “Revelations”, an American masterpiece of hope and redemption. A universal celebration of the human spirit, “Revelations” is based upon Alvin Ailey’s “blood memories” of growing up in the rural South and has inspired audiences around the world for over six decades. Fans in attendance will be encouraged to join in the dance led by Nasha Thomas, a Master Teacher for Ailey Arts In Education & Community Programs. 

“Performing&nbsp;“Revelations”&nbsp;around the world was a transcendent experience, with audiences cheering from the opening notes of “I Been&nbsp;‘Buked” to dancing in their seats during the triumphant finale,&nbsp;“Rocka My Soul in the Bosom of Abraham”,” said&nbsp;Nasha Thomas,&nbsp;Ailey Arts In Education & Community Programs&nbsp;Master Teacher.&nbsp;“Iam&nbsp;thrilled to&nbsp;bring&nbsp;that same joyful spirit to the Hawks halftime&nbsp;show&nbsp;with some of Atlanta’s wonderful dancers celebrating&nbsp;“Revelations”,&nbsp;carrying forward Alvin Ailey’s vision that dance has the power to unite and inspire&nbsp;and&nbsp;honor the powerful legacy of&nbsp;Dr.&nbsp;Martin Luther King, Jr.”

During the game and through social recognition, the Hawks and Chase will honor Black&nbsp;and woman-owned&nbsp;Atlanta&nbsp;clothing&nbsp;brand, Tracy Nicole Clothing. Tracy&nbsp;Nicole&nbsp;Clothing&nbsp;is a brand for the woman that has a unique sense of style, loves quality clothing, takes pride in her&nbsp;appearance&nbsp;and doesn’t mind expressing herself by the way she dresses. The pieces are classic and beautiful while still unique and maintaining a subtle sexiness.

During the game,&nbsp;Xernona Clayton&nbsp;will&nbsp;be recognized&nbsp;for&nbsp;her&nbsp;civic work&nbsp;and&nbsp;contributions&nbsp;to&nbsp;Atlanta.&nbsp;Clayton is&nbsp;a civil rights leader and pioneering broadcasting executive best known as the founder and CEO of the Trumpet&nbsp;Awards,&nbsp;an annual awards program distributed internationally to over 185 countries.&nbsp;The program features the accomplishments of African Americans in a variety of fields. Clayton also is the driving force behind the complementary project,&nbsp;the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site&nbsp;in Atlanta.&nbsp;Clayton worked closely with Dr.&nbsp;Martin Luther King, Jr., helping&nbsp;him&nbsp;to organize fundraising initiatives for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC).&nbsp;In 1968, she became the first&nbsp;Black woman in the&nbsp;South to host a regularly scheduled prime-time talk show,&nbsp;“Variations”, which&nbsp;later&nbsp;became&nbsp;“The Xernona Clayton Show”.&nbsp;

In October 2022, the&nbsp;Atlanta Hawks and JPMorgan Chase announced a new agreement to expand and grow their integrated partnership.&nbsp;As part of the expanded agreement,&nbsp;Chase&nbsp;became&nbsp;the presenting sponsor&nbsp;in&nbsp;two key&nbsp;experiences:&nbsp;the&nbsp;Chase Concert Club: the arena’s ultra-premium space for enjoying the world’s best live entertainment and NBA action and&nbsp;Project Rebound: a community platform that works with Good Sports,&nbsp;a&nbsp;national nonprofit whose mission is to drive equitable access in youth sports and physical activity, by supporting children in high-need&nbsp;communities to achieve their greatest potential, on the field and in life.

In January of 2022, the Hawks and Chase hosted a special MLK Day panel, “Advancing the Legacy: Realizing the Dream”. The Hawks&nbsp;also&nbsp;played their annual&nbsp;‘MLK Day Game presented by Chase’&nbsp;and unveiled a new ‘MLK Wall’ as part of the team’s annual tribute of Dr. King’s life and legacy.

Limited tickets remain for the&nbsp;‘MLK Day Game presented by Chase’&nbsp;on Monday, Jan. 16. To secure tickets for the game,&nbsp;visit&nbsp;Hawks.com/tickets.

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Hawks Announce Plans For ‘MLK Day Game Presented By Chase’ on Monday, Jan. 16

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Hunter Puts up 25 Points in First Unity Night

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ATLANTA-- Today the Atlanta Hawks announced an unprecedented partnership with the estate of civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, the National Basketball Association (NBA), the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) and Nike with the release of its 2020 –21 MLK Nike City Edition uniform. For the first time in the league’s history, the initials of an individual will be featured prominently on the chest of an official NBA game uniform. The Hawks will be donating profits from the jersey sales back into the Atlanta community to help further initiatives championed by Dr. King.

Born and raised in Atlanta, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., became a global symbol of the fight for racial equality through his platform of non-violence. He attended his hometown’s historic Morehouse College, entering as a freshman when he was just 15 years old.  While he continued to call Atlanta home, raising his family and pastoring at local churches like Ebenezer Baptist with his father, Dr. King led initiatives that caught

the attention of a worldwide audience, including the Montgomery Bus Boycotts, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and the March on Washington. The latter is where he made his watershed “I Have a Dream” speech, playing a significant role in his being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.  His life and leadership were cut short at age of 39 by an assassin, as he organized for the rights of sanitation workers in Memphis.

“It is an incredible privilege to be able to represent the legacy of Dr. King, one of Atlanta’s native sons and one of the nation’s most transformative leaders. His message of equality, non-violence, and justice is as relevant today as it was in the 60s and we are proud to not only help educate legions of young fans about Dr. King’s work, but empower them to pick up his mantle and embody the change they wish to see in their communities,” said Hawks Chief Marketing Officer, Melissa Proctor.  “We are honored that the King Estate would entrust us with these powerful initials.”

Deeply connected to the tenets of Dr. King’s social activism are the roots from which the Atlanta Hawks’ own civic work grows.  The team has a well-demonstrated commitment to building bridges through basketball to help better the community.  The Hawks’ ongoing efforts in addressing food insecurity, access to early voting, and entrepreneurial development are directly tied to crucial issues on which Dr. King focused, including racial equality, voting rights, and economic justice.  In a franchise first, profits from the sale of the groundbreaking jersey will be given to programs that help to continue Dr. King’s work regarding economic empowerment for communities of color.

"We were honored to learn of the Atlanta Hawks’ desire to pay homage to Dr. King's life and legacy by using him as the focus of their 2020 - 21 MLK Nike City Edition uniform design. During this challenging climate, it is our hope that this visual reminder of Dr. King's legacy will inspire people to further educate themselves on how he effected change using his philosophy and methods of nonviolence during the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s. We look forward to continuing to work with the Hawks to perpetuate his wonderful legacy,” said Eric D. Tidwell, Esq., Managing Director &amp; General Counsel of Intellectual Properties Management, Inc., (Manager of the Estate of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.).

The 2020 – 21 Atlanta Hawks MLK Nike City Edition uniform pays homage to the world’s greatest “Drum Major for Justice” through personal elements woven into the design details and a thoughtfully selected color scheme. The uniform was created through a collaborative effort between the Nike design team, Hawks ownership, and the team’s CMO, Melissa Proctor, V.P. of Brand Creative Shirley Zhang, and V.P. of Brand Merchandising Amy Serino.

The Black, Gold and White colorway speaks to Dr. King’s determination, as well as his understated style. It is also a nod to Dr. King’s membership in the first Black Greek fraternity. Bold Vintage Gold MLK letters, outlined in Fidelity White, blaze across the uniform chest, the initials of an eternal role model whose words of equality and justice are the foundation of today’s powerful activism. The stars donning both sides of the shorts represent 22 of the 29 times Dr. King was jailed fighting for justice and equality, while also paying tribute to the dedicated student freedom fighters who engaged in sit-ins all over the South. Of them, he said, "Only when it is dark enough can you see the stars."  Towards the bottom of the jersey, Dr. King’s personal signature graces the authenticity tag.  

Several of the design details of the uniform are inspired by architectural elements of churches where Dr. King delivered some of his most moving sermons. The uniform is bordered in White and Gold striping that lead to tapered peak at the side of the shorts mirroring the silhouette of stained-glass windows. The crown and shield symbol on the leg of the shorts is inspired by church windows and Dr. King’s personal effects. At the waistband is the Hawks’ Primary Icon logo encircled in black symbolizing the continuous quest of the Black community to achieve freedom and justice. This heat-applied graphic is made of a soft touch rubber. The Nike Swoosh placed at the right jersey strap, just opposite of the Sharecare jersey partner patch above the heart.

Since 2017, the Atlanta Hawks have held a multiyear partnership with Sharecare, the Atlanta-based digital health company, which serves as the team’s inaugural jersey patch sponsor and its partner in the Sharecare Movement – a community-driven initiative launched by both organizations to make Georgia and Atlanta one of the healthiest places in the country. In addition to the Sharecare patch over the “heart” of every jersey, the Atlanta Hawks and Sharecare are united by a shared passion and pride for the legacy of Atlanta and our world-changing leaders like Dr. King, whose life’s works paved the way for happier, healthier, and more equitable futures for all. 

The team will wear the MLK Nike City Edition uniforms at select games throughout the 2020-21 season. In conjunction with the MLK kit, a complimentary MLK City Edition-branded court for home games will extend the important recognition of Dr. King to the main floor of State Farm Arena. Mirroring the uniform colorway and stars detail, the court design will feature the stylized Hawks Primary Icon logo at the center which also incorporates the team’s core uniform colors – Torch Red and Legacy Yellow – in a mosaic pattern that continues the stained-glass motif.

To learn more about the Atlanta Hawks MLK Nike City Edition uniform and watch the launch video go to hawks.com/MLK.

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Atlanta Hawks Honor the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with First-Ever MLK Nike City Edition Uniform

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ATLANTA –- The Atlanta Hawks MLK Holiday weekend events culminated with their annual MLK game and celebration. At today’s game vs. Orlando, the in-game entertainment featured a special version of the starting lineups sung by the Contagious Choir of dReam Center Church of Atlanta led by RCA Inspiration artist Bishop William Murphy as well as three performances at center court from Gospel artist Koryn Hawthorne.

Prior to the game, the team hosted 30 Brown Middle School students from the College For Every Student (CFES) Brilliant Pathways Mentoring program for the Hawks’ Dream Day youth seminar. The CFES Brilliant Pathways Scholars, who have been a part of a unique mentoring partnership with Hawks employees since August 2017, started their day listening to remarks from a variety of speakers including Melissa Pierce, wife of Hawks Head Coach Lloyd Pierce, Roshown McLeod, Hawks alum, Renee Montgomery, Atlanta Dream guard, Scott Pioli, CFES Board member and Atlanta Falcons Assistant General Manager.

The students then participated in activities focused around Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy of social activism and inclusion. Following that, each received customized Hawks jerseys and then was taken on a guided tour of the new State Farm Arena. The hopeful future first-generation college students attended the game with early access to watch the team’s pregame shootaround courtside where Hawks Legend Dominique Wilkins greeted the group. After the game, these CFES Scholars were surprised with a meet-and-greet with Hawks players DeAndre’ Bembry and Alex Len inside the arena’s new press conference room.

Prior to the start of the game, the starting lineups were sung by the Contagious Choir of dReam Center Church of Atlanta led by RCA Inspiration artist Bishop William Murphy, and the national anthem was performed by gospel artist Koryn Hawthorne. She later returned for a special tribute to Dr. King at halftime and then previewed songs from her #1 debut album, Unstoppable, after the game. Hawthorne’s chart-topping single, Won’t He Do It, put her in the history books with a record-breaking 41 weeks at #1 on the Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs chart.

Additionally, throughout the game, video vignettes were displayed on the State Farm Arena’s new centerhung as current and past players and civil rights icon, Ambassador Andrew Young, shared their thoughts on the local and nationwide impact of Dr. King.

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Atlanta Hawks Honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. With Dream Day Youth Seminar And Koryn Hawthorne Performances At Sold-Out MLK Day Game

ATLANTA – The Atlanta Hawks Basketball Club have announced several events to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. over the holiday weekend named for the slain civil rights leader. Later this afternoon, Principal Owner Tony Ressler, CEO Steve Koonin, Head Coach Lloyd Pierce and Trae Young in partnership with State Farm and UPS, will team up with the City of Atlanta and Mayor Keisha Lance-Bottoms as they unveil the 23rd community court at Selena S. Butler Park located next to the Martin Luther King Recreation and Aquatic Center. On MLK Day, Monday, Jan. 21, the organization will provide a seminar for local youth and tickets to the game later that afternoon the team’s tipoff against the Orlando Magic at 3:30 p.m. in a special MLK tribute game. 

To start the weekend, the Hawks will unveil their 23rd basketball court at the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation and Aquatic Center in conjunction with the King family. This unique community court will honor Dr. King’s legacy and pay homage to the Hawks’ 50th Anniversary in Atlanta as the team’s first-ever black-and-gold design in the community. The organization has committed to build 25 courts throughout metro Atlanta by 2020.

On Monday morning, the team will host 30 Brown Middle School students from the College For Every Student (CFES) Brilliant Pathways Mentoring program at the Hawk’s Dream Day seminar. The students will participate in conversations and activities around Dr. King and his legacy of social activism and inclusion. In addition, these students will tour the new State Farm Arena, watch the pregame shoot-around with the team and receive complimentary tickets to enjoy the game. The CFES Brilliant Pathways Scholars have been a part of a unique mentoring partnership with Hawks employees since August 2017.

Mentors for the morning’s activities include Melissa Pierce, wife of Hawks Head Coach Lloyd Pierce, Scott Pioli, Assistant General Manager of the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta Dream guard Renee Montgomery and Atlanta Hawks alum Roshown McLeod. Also participating in the event are various Hawks executives including Melissa Proctor, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, David Lee, Executive Vice President of External Affairs and Jon Babul, Vice President of Basketball Development.

“We are proud to continue our efforts in the community honoring Dr. King and his legacy,” Hawks’ Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility and Inclusion Andrea Carter said. “Dream Day will be an unforgettable moment for these hopeful future first-generation college students from Brown Middle School.”

The Hawks’ annual MLK Day game will open with the popular gospel-steeped, introductions of the starting line-up. This year’s introduction will be sung by the Contagious Choir of dReam Center Church of Atlanta led by RCA Inspiration artist Bishop William Murphy. RCA Inspiration artist, Koryn Hawthorne, will take center court to perform the national anthem and at halftime, a special musical tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King. Koryn’s chart-topping single, Won’t He Do It, has put her in the history books with a record-breaking 41 weeks at #1 on the Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs chart. Koryn is also well known for appearing as a top-four finalist season eight of NBC's The Voice. Hawthorne will also perform a postgame concert featuring songs from her #1 debut album Unstoppable. 

Ambassador Andrew Young will be honored at the game as the team recognizes 50 Atlanta community icons to commemorate the Hawks’ 50th Anniversary season in Atlanta. Young, who formerly served as U.S. Ambassador United Nations and Mayor of Atlanta, was an integral part of the civil rights movement born in the south. He was a close collaborator with Dr. King and carries on his message of non-violent social change around the world 50 years after the Atlanta-born leader’s assassination.

For tickets to the game go to hawks.com/tickets and to learn more about the club’s efforts in the community, visit hawks.com/community.

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Hawks to be Joined by Mayor Bottoms, State Farm and UPS at 23rd Community Court Unveiling in Partnership with the Martin Luther King Recreation and Aquatic Center

MLK

Hawks Announce Plans For ‘MLK Day Game Presented By Chase’ on Monday, Jan. 16

Hunter Puts up 25 Points in First Unity Night

Atlanta Hawks Honor the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with First-Ever MLK Nike City Edition Uniform

Atlanta Hawks Honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. With Dream Day Youth Seminar And Koryn Hawthorne Performances At Sold-Out MLK Day Game

Hawks to be Joined by Mayor Bottoms, State Farm and UPS at 23rd Community Court Unveiling in Partnership with the Martin Luther King Recreation and Aquatic Center

Anwar Johnson's Spoken Word on MLK Day