Community
HEAT Social Responsibility: Social Justice & Equality
As champions of the underdog, we have always been a vocal and visible advocate of human rights. But in summer 2020, we issued a public pledge, denouncing social injustices committed against minority and marginalized people, and committing resources to support and uplift Black and Brown communities specifically.
Celebrating Black Excellence
In 2020, the Miami HEAT issued an organizational pledge to uplift and empower Black and Brown communities across South Florida. Since then, we have continued to use our platform and raise our voice to educate, inform and embrace the opportunity to make change.
About Our Efforts
HEAT Black History Month Activation
Throughout February and beyond, the Miami HEAT and the NBA will celebrate Black history and support the ongoing pursuit of racial justice by taking league-wide action that centers the voices, experiences and perspectives of Black players, coaches, employees and fans. As we honor the legacy and contributions of Black leaders from history, we will take collective actions in the present that demonstrate our shared commitment to building a more just, equal, and inclusive future.
HEAT Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration
With the largest Hispanic season ticket fan base in the NBA, the Miami HEAT Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration supported by Florida Blue, has engaged the Hispanic community for the past nineteen years with an annual HEAT Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration during the month of October. The event consists of a fun-filled day of festivities that includes interaction with HEAT Players, HEAT Dancers, the Hoop Troop and Burnie the mascot.
Random Acts Of HEAT
Random Acts of HEAT, presented by Ticketmaster, is a series of good deeds in the South Florida community meant to inspire individuals, families, organizations and communities to reciprocate kindness through random acts of their own.
HEAT Veterans Day
This program is part of the team's on-going commitment to support U.S. servicemen and servicewomen at home and abroad through the Home Strong Initiative, and in conjunction with the NBA Hoops for Troops program.
HEAT Day Of Service
In an effort to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by supporting and encouraging the call for acts of service in observance of his birthday, particularly promoting compassion for one another, staff volunteers from American Airlines and the Miami HEAT collaborated with Mobile School Pantry to create a client-choice food pantry that will provide assistance to over 250 local families.
Mobile School Pantry (MSP) was the first school pantry program in the State of Florida established in 2013, and was started to provide nutritious, healthy food items to children and families at low-income schools in South Florida and dedicate their work to creating a future without hunger where all families have access to adequate amounts of nutritious, culturally appropriate foods to learn, grow and thrive.
HEAT Loud And Proud
As long-time supporters of the LGBTQ+ community, the HEAT and the Kaseya Center remain steadfastly committed to embracing the diversity that makes Miami a unique and special city. Each April, the Miami HEAT takes part in the Miami Beach Pride Parade to celebrate diversity & inclusion. The parade is part of the weeklong celebration that brings together members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community, their friends, allies, and supporters in celebration of the unique spirit and culture of the LGBTQ community. There are over 100 HEAT staff and guests that participate each year. The parade starts at 5th & Ocean Drive and concludes at 15th & Ocean Drive.
Miami HEAT Wheels
In conjunction with the Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces Department - Therapeutic Recreation & Inclusion, the Miami HEAT offers support for the Miami HEAT Wheels, an adult wheelchair basketball team wherein players encourage and demonstrate how those with disabilities lead active and productive lives. The Miami HEAT Wheels is a competitive wheelchair basketball team in the National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA). The Miami HEAT Wheels compete at the Division III level in the Florida Wheelchair Basketball Conference. The adult wheelchair basketball team competes in regional and national tournaments associated with the NWBA. On April 19, 2015, the Miami HEAT Wheels won their very first championship title in Division III of the National Wheelchair Basketball Association. For additional information on the team please contact the Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department, Therapeutic Recreation & Inclusion Division at 305-755-7848
