-- Summer League Led by The Center, the Sacramento Kings, Black Child Legacy Campaign and My Brother’s Keeper Sacramento to Prevent and Interrupt Violence While Creating Positive Connections for Youth --
-- Tip-Off Event, Presented by G-Unity Foundation, Begins Eight-week Basketball Season for 4th through 10th Graders --
The sixth season of Kings and Queens Rise Co-Ed Youth Sports and Mentoring League launches this week with a tip-off event, presented by G-Unity Foundation, at Golden 1 Center. The league, a partnership among The Center at Sierra Health Foundation’s Black Child Legacy Campaign and My Brother’s Keeper Sacramento programs and the Sacramento Kings, provides young people opportunities to engage in intercommunity activities during the summer months, helping to prevent and interrupt violence. The program is a caring and safe environment where mentors teach community building and sportsmanship.
“The Kings and Queens Rise program brings together trusted community organizations and leaders to provide a safe and supportive environment for youth to build relationships, develop teamwork skills and strengthen confidence,” said Sacramento Kings Chief Operating Officer Matina Kolokotronis. “We are thrilled to host the tip-off event at Golden 1 Center and launch our sixth summer of youth basketball and mentorship opportunities.”
“Investing in youth is essential to any thriving community and is an important part of our comprehensive approach to community-led violence prevention in Sacramento,” said Chet P. Hewitt, President and CEO Sierra Health Foundation and the CEO of The Center, which manages Kings and Queens Rise, the Black Child Legacy Campaign and My Brother’s Keeper Sacramento. “The launch of Kings and Queens Rise sixth season is a celebration of the partnerships that make this work possible, including the dedicated community organizations working to build trust and expertise in our neighborhoods throughout the year.”
The tip-off event will be an opportunity for youth to pick up their uniforms, participate in activities and enjoy food and music. The day will include a short speaking program featuring G-Unity Foundation founder, Emmy and Grammy Award winning Multi-Hyphenate Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Kings guard Keon Ellis and Kings and Queens Rise Commissioner Kenneth Duncan.
This eight-week basketball season will run from June 24 and until August 5 and features 24 teams composed of more than 300 youth from 4th through 10th grade. Participants join teams from one of the following neighborhoods served by the Black Child Legacy Campaign and its partners: Arden Arcade, Del Paso Heights-North Sacramento, Foothill Farms-North Highlands, Fruitridge-Stockton, Marina Vista, Meadowview, Oak Park and Valley Hi. Games and practices take place throughout North and South Sacramento in community locations. The season will culminate with a tournament hosted by the Kings.
In addition, youth and their families will be invited to attend the California Classic Sumer League games hosted at Golden 1 Center, July 3 and 5.
The Kings and Queens Rise program is part of the Sacramento Kings Jr. Kings program presented Kaiser Permanente. The curriculum is crafted by Kenneth Duncan of Ball Out Academy who serves as the league’s commissioner. Black Child Legacy Campaign community partners in each of the seven focus neighborhoods provide safe spaces for training and season games and coaches are trained, trusted adults from these partner organizations.
To learn more about the first season of Kings and Queens Rise, see the inaugural season impact report here and a video recap here. View a video recap of the second season here, the third season impact report here, a video recap of the fourth season here and the fifth season rookie visit here.
For details about the sixth season of Kings and Queens Rise, visit the Black Child Legacy Campaign web site.
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About G-Unity Foundation:
Founded by Jackson in 2003, the G-Unity Foundation supports programs that foster social and leadership skills in young people living in cities nationwide. Last year, Jackson announced the G-Unity Business Lab with the Houston Independent School District. The after-school entrepreneurship program, which enrolled students from Wheatley, Worthing, and Kashmere high schools, offers the chance to learn core business values and teaches practical skills to develop business ideas with input from area business leaders, corporations and visiting professors, including Jackson. Jackson has also been active in contributing to and participating in various community outreach programs including the NAACP Toy Drive, Houston’s Christmas Eve Super Feast, the Houston Symphony, and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. More information on Jackson’s G-Unity Foundation and his charitable endeavors can be found HERE.