SMUD

Official Release

Franchise to Honor International Women’s Day with Rejuvenating Event for Female Team Members

Organization to Support Local Women-Focused and Run Nonprofits with Day of Volunteering

Throughout the Month, Female Team Member Contributions will be Highlighted&nbsp;

Today, on International Women’s Day, the Sacramento Kings announced month-long activations designed to honor, uplift and recognize the many contributions of women within the Sacramento community and the Kings and River Cats organizations.

“The Kings are committed to promoting, supporting and developing women within the organization and beyond,” said Sacramento Kings Chief Operating Officer Matina Kolokotronis. “Our goal is to mentor, empower and inspire women and young girls, to ensure they see that they have a voice and know they have a place in any industry.”&nbsp;

“SMUD is proud to partner with the Sacramento Kings and Cintron to celebrate Women’s Empowerment Month,” said SMUD CEO and General Manager Paul Lau. “Together we are supporting local organizations in our community who work to empower and create positive change for women and girls.”

Today, the organization will honor International Women’s Day and recognize powerful and inspiring female Kings and River Cats employees with a yoga and meditation event at The Space Studios. The event will focus on health and wellness and allow female team members to center, relax and reflect.

On March 11, the organization will host an all-girls Jr. Kings clinic to encourage female participation in basketball.

On March 13, the Kings will host the fifth installment of Team Up for Change with a half-day summit at Golden 1 Center focused on highlighting the contributions of women leaders working in the social justice movement. The day will include dynamic conversations featuring NBA and team leadership, changemakers, and entertainers.&nbsp;

As the team takes on the Milwaukee Bucks that evening, the franchise will host Women’s Empowerment Night. The game will feature Tinsley Murray performing the national anthem and American rapper, DJ, actress and entrepreneur MC Lyte at halftime. The Rind, a locally female-owned restaurant will be featured in-game as the Kings Pop-Up Kitchen with a mac and cheese fusion dish. Additionally, the team will present a Community Impact Award to a local female leader.&nbsp;

The team will participate in women-focused initiatives as part of Team Up for Change Week of Action from March 13 to 17. On March 14, Kings female team members will meet with young women at the Youth Detention Facility to connect, inspire and motivate. On March 15, the organization will unveil its 11th ROOT Garden in partnership with Raley’s at Mather Veteran Village, encouraging healthy eating and changing the way people interact with food by providing access to fresh vegetables, fruit and herbs. On March 16, female team members will volunteer at local women-focused and run nonprofit organizations that provide vital care and resources to the communities they serve. These nonprofits include WEAVE, St. John’s Women’s Shelter and Wellspring Women’s Center. Then, on March 17, the team will debut The Huddle, a dynamic conversation between Kings Assistant Coach Lindsey Harding and a young changemaker working toward addressing social justice issues.

As the team takes on the Boston Celtics on March 21, female team members will participate in a Fastbreak Mentoring: In-Game Edition session to share insight with young women from Black Youth Leadership Project. During the mentorship opportunity, the youth will learn firsthand what goes into the different aspects of an NBA game.&nbsp;

Throughout the month, the Kings will highlight local female-owned businesses on the team’s social platforms and debut a content series presented by Cintron, featuring the story and contributions of female team members in various departments including, media relations, social responsibility, event management and more.

sacramento-kings-spotlight-womens-empowerment-month-presented-by-cintron-and-smud

Sacramento Kings Spotlight Women's Empowerment Month Presented by Cintron and SMUD

Team Promotes Youth Mentorship Opportunities, Recognizes Leaders and Amplifies Local Artists, Businesses and Restaurants&nbsp;

Each year, the Sacramento Kings dedicate February to celebrating Black History Month and honoring the black community through a series of events, activations and outreach. Kings Black History Month, powered by SMUD, builds upon the organization’s “Pledge to Our Black Community,” launched in June 2020, aimed at advancing racial equity through candid conversations, supporting Sacramento’s Black-owned businesses, investing in Black youth, highlighting local Black artists and honoring Black community leaders.

Introducing the Next Generation to Careers in Sports

Throughout the month, the organization provided opportunities for youth to learn about various career paths in sports through mentorship, activations and panels. On February 8, the team partnered with NBC Sports to host&nbsp;Math Hoops Live at Golden 1 Center.&nbsp;During the event, local students competed against each other in an on-court version of NBA Math Hoops. Then, Kings and NBC Sports team members participated in a&nbsp;Black History Month Career Conversation and panel to share their journey to and in the sports industry.

“It’s super important for the Kings organization to do event like this,” said NBC Production Manager Cascene Gibson. “The kids are our future and they need to see people that look like them to show them that they can do the job too.”

On February 10, as the team took on the Dallas Mavericks, the team featured Square Root Academy, a S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) based non-profit organization dedicated to educating underrepresented youth on the fundamentals of S.T.E.A.M. while emphasizing collaborative learning, innovation and academic excellence. Square Root Academy was founded by Sacramento native Nicholas Haystings and&nbsp;was present at the Kings Do Good Corner to highlight their work.

During the February 23 Kings game against the Portland Trail Blazers, Kings team members, in partnership with Improve Your Tomorrow, hosted local Black high school students interested in pursuing careers in sports and entertainment. During the game, the students had the opportunity to shadow Kings team members across various departments to learn firsthand what goes on behind the scenes of a professional basketball team.&nbsp;

As part of the Kings 916 Amplified, a program that leverages the team and NBA’s platform to highlight diverse local creatives, artists and small businesses in the Sacramento area, the organization collaborated with the Black Artist Foundry to curate "StreetBALL COURTure." The dynamic and thought-provoking art exhibit featuring painted basketballs transformed into striking pieces of art using various mediums including paint, embroidery and graphic design, was on display on February 10 and 11, as the team took on the Dallas Mavericks. The basketballs featured iconic imagery and symbols representing the sport's rich history and cultural significance within the Black community.&nbsp;

On February 10, the team presented the Dream All-Star Community Impact Award to Adult Primary Care Provider for Kaiser Permanente, Dr. Kristin Gates. Dr. Gates was recognized for her crucial work as a Black doctor in the Sacramento community, including playing a key role in a South Sacramento community garden, promoting plants over pills with the goal to reduce or reverse hypertension and heart disease among Black patients with a plant-based diet.

Additionally, the team recognized two members from the Sacramento&nbsp;region for their impact on the LGBTQIA+ community. An Equality Award was presented to Vice President at Capitol Impact Robynne Rose-Haymer and a Culture Creator Award was presented to Chief Diversity Officer at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine Monae Roberts.

Throughout the month, the team hosted Kings Pop-Up Kitchens featuring Sacramento-area Black-owned restaurants. On February 10, the team showcased Nashville-style fried chicken from Nash & Proper, KREAM soft serve ATMs on February 11 and farm-to-fork inspirations from Q1227 on February 23.

The Kings launched partnerships with multiple brands for Black History Month-themed apparel exclusively in the Team Store. In collaboration with Cross Colours, the Kings launched a cream long-sleeve shirt featuring “As We Rise” slogan and red, green and yellow stars down the arm. In collaboration with fashion and lifestyle designer Ty Mopkins, the Kings launched a jacket inspired by and paying tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of primarily Black military pilots and airmen who fought in World War II.

On February 9, the Kings held a free Jr. Kings clinic in collaboration with Ball Out Academy, where participants were taught the fundamentals of basketball to continue to develop their skills.&nbsp;

The Kings supported the NBA’s relaunch of its fellowship program, aiming to provide career development opportunities in the business of basketball for undergraduate and graduate students from HBCUs. The 10-week paid summer internship will run from June to August and participants will be selected by NBA teams and the league office to work within various departments including ticket sales, corporate partnerships, legal, social responsibility, digital and marketing.

Highlighting Businesses, Resources and More

During the month, the Kings highlighted various resources for fans on their social media channels, including:

During Black History Month and year-round, the Kings are committed to supporting the pursuit of racial justice through sustained action.

For more information on the Kings ongoing efforts to honor, highlight and support the Black community, visit Kings.com/Community.

recap-kings-celebrate-black-history-month-and-honor-black-community-throughout-february

RECAP: Kings Celebrate Black History Month and Honor Black Community throughout February

Organization to Inspire Youth through Mentorship Opportunities and a Career Panel, presented by NBC Sports

&nbsp;Franchise to Amplify the Contributions of Black Community Leaders, Local Artists, Restaurants and Businesses&nbsp;

Today, the Sacramento Kings announced their 23rd Annual Black History Month celebration, powered by SMUD. Throughout February, the Kings will build upon the organization’s “Pledge to Our Black Community,” launched in June 2020, and use the team’s platform to recognize the community members and organizations working to advance social justice and make positive change.

“The Kings are proud to continue our ongoing commitment to amplify Black voices, invest in Black-owned businesses and dedicate resources to support youth programs,” said Sacramento Kings Chief Operating Officer Matina Kolokotronis. “While Black History Month is a time for celebrating the many achievements and contributions of the Black community, the recent tragedy in Memphis reminds us all that there is much more work to do. The Kings will continue our efforts to partner with community stakeholders and inspire, unite, and activate around a call for social justice and racial equality.”

This year, the team will partner with NBC Sports to host a Black History Month Career&nbsp;Conversation&nbsp;and Kings Math Hoops Live at Golden 1 Center on February 8. During the event, local students will compete against each other in an on-court version of NBA Math Hoops. Following the game, Kings and NBC Sports team members will participate in a panel discussing their journey to and in the sports industry.

On February 9, the Kings will host a free Jr. Kings youth basketball camp in collaboration with Ball Out Academy, where participants will continue to develop their basketball skills.&nbsp;

As part of the Kings 916 Amplified, a program that leverages the team and NBA’s platform to shine a light on diverse local creatives, artists and small businesses in the Sacramento area, the organization will collaborate with the Black Artist Foundry to curate "StreetBALL COURTure. " The dynamic and thought-provoking art exhibit featuring painted basketballs transformed into striking pieces of art using various mediums including, paint, embroidery and graphic design, will be on display on February 10 and 11, as the team takes on the Dallas Mavericks and will feature iconic imagery and symbols representing the sport's rich history and cultural significance within the Black community.&nbsp;

Also on February 10, the team will present the Dream All-Star Community Impact Award and Square Root Academy will be present at the Do Good Corner in Section 111 to highlight their work and host a STEM experience for young fans.

On February 23, as the team takes on the Portland Trail Blazers, Kings team members will host local Black high school students interested in pursuing careers in sports and entertainment in partnership with Improve Your Tomorrow. During the game, the young people will have the opportunity to shadow Kings team members across various departments to learn firsthand what goes on behind the scenes of a professional basketball team.&nbsp;

Throughout the month, the Kings will host pop-up kitchens featuring Sacramento-area Black-owned restaurants during select home games. On February 10, the team will showcase Nashville-style fried chicken from Nash & Proper, on February 10 and February 11 KREAM soft serve ATMs and on February &nbsp;23, farm-to-fork inspirations from Q1227.&nbsp;

Additionally, the NBA has relaunched its fellowship program, aiming to provide career development opportunities in the business of basketball for undergraduate and graduate students from HBCUs. The 10-week paid summer internship will run from June to August and participants will be selected by NBA teams and the league office to work within various departments including ticket sales, corporate partnerships, legal, social responsibility, digital and marketing. Interested applicants should apply via the NBA Foundation by February 20.

SMUD

Sacramento Kings Spotlight Women's Empowerment Month Presented by Cintron and SMUD

RECAP: Kings Celebrate Black History Month and Honor Black Community throughout February

Sacramento Kings Celebrate Black History Month, Powered by SMUD