Vivek Ranadive

Governors’ Call to Action | Team Up For Change 2020

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Team Up For Change Origin Story

Sacramento, Calif. — Today, Sacramento Kings Chairman, CEO and Governor Vivek Ranadivé issued the following statement on the passing of NBA legend Kobe Bryant:

“Today, the world mourns the loss of a legend. We are all extremely devastated and saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna.

“Kobe is one of the greatest competitors the NBA has ever known. His storied career and commitment to the game is revered by fans around the globe. He inspired a generation on and off the court to strive for greatness and his countless contributions to basketball will live on.

“We will forever remember the mutual respect shared between Kobe and Sacramento. On behalf of the entire Kings organization, we extend our deepest condolences to his wife Vanessa, their family and all those impacted as we hold them in our hearts and prayers at this most difficult time.”

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Sacramento Kings Statement on the Passing of NBA Legend Kobe Bryant

As Sacramento prepares to play in the first ever NBA basketball games held in India, Kings Chairman, CEO and Governor Vivek Ranadivé sees this as the first step towards something major.

Ranadivé penned an article for the San Jose Mercury News that painted a picture of his vision - one that dates back to a trip to his native India in 2014. He noted that a visit to a hospital with Kings General Manager Vlade Divac and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver left a lasting impact.

“Thanks to basketball, a Serbian-born player who immigrated to the United States was in India and brightening one of the darkest days of this young person’s life,” wrote Vivek. “At that moment in the Indian hospital, I witnessed first-hand how the platform we have as an NBA franchise is bigger and more meaningful than in any profession I have ever had.”

This revelation became a catalyst to eventually set in motion these historic preseason matchups between Sacramento and the Indiana Pacers. While this is a monumental development in making basketball an even more global game, Ranadivé believes that it also has the power to be a unifying force.

“Why should the Olympics be the only moment the world sets aside its differences and comes together? The platform we have as professional sports teams is a privilege and an incredible responsibility to enhance the lives of those we touch.”

These exciting contests are on the horizon and Vivek is well aware of the potential effects that these games could have off of the court.

“Tapping into the immense social network of sports fans around the globe, imagine the transformational change we can achieve collectively if we all strive to connect new cultures, experiences, and ideas.”

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Vivek Sees Bright Future Ahead for International Hoops

On Saturday, May 18, the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center, a migratory museum that shares Asian Pacific American history, art and culture through innovative community-focused experiences, hosted their inaugural annual event – The Party. The Party was created to raise awareness about the many contributions of Asian Pacific Americans and announce the launch of the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Keystone Initiative to begin fundraising for the first permanent Asian Pacific American gallery within the Smithsonian.

At this inaugural event, the Smithsonian celebrated the contributions of Asian-Pacific Americans to the American experience by honoring individuals in categories ranging from culinary arts to sports. Sacramento Kings Owner and Chairman Vivek Ranadivé was presented with the Titan Award in Sports by Congresswoman Doris O. Matsui, Smithsonian Regent and a member of the Center’s Advisory Board, for his success in changing the rules of the game in business and sports and exemplifying how Indian Americans can write their own American story.

“The Smithsonian is one of the most iconic institutions in the country and to be recognized by them is both humbling and a tremendous honor that I could never have imagined,” said Sacramento Kings Owner and Chairman Vivek Ranadivé. “Asian Americans and Indian Americans have been and continue to be a key part of what makes this country great and it is only fitting that they are honored in the Smithsonian which is globally recognized as the curator of American history and culture.”

Born and raised in Mumbai, India, Vivek is the first Indian American majority owner of an NBA team. Since Vivek took over ownership of the Kings in 2013, he has helped to infuse Indian culture into the league by hosting an annual Bollywood Night at Golden 1 Center and streaming over 125 Kings games in India. Throughout the season, the team also hosts several diversity celebrations including Black History Month, Lunar New Year and Serbian Heritage Night – featuring games played on the Kings Global Statement Court. Additionally, in October, the Kings will play the first-ever NBA India Games in Mumbai as part of the NBA’s global expansion efforts.

Vivek has made waves as a philanthropist and under his leadership, the Kings operate with a passion for investing in diversity, innovation and community. In 2018, the Kings franchise publicly stood up following the tragic death of Stephon Clark and made a commitment to work with the community to prevent future tragedies, subsequently entering a multi-year partnership with the Build.Black Coalition. This year, the Kings community efforts to further support Sacramento’s youth and proactively invest in transformation for Black communities were recognized with the 2019 NBA Inclusion Innovation Award, Robert T. Matsui Community Service Award and the Greater Sacramento Urban League 2019 Unity Award.

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Vivek Ranadivé Receives Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center “Titan Award in Sports”

On Thursday, April 25, the Sacramento Kings received two awards from local organizations – City Year Sacramento and the Greater Sacramento Urban League – for the team’s efforts to use their NBA platform to make a positive change in the community.

City Year Sacramento hosted their annual City Year Ripples of Hope Gala at Golden 1 Center, uniting Sacramento stakeholders, partners and donors to honor the work of City Year AmeriCorps members. AmeriCorps members are volunteer tutors, mentors and role models to students at eight local schools, promoting academic success and impacting over 4,000 students in impoverished areas throughout the greater Sacramento region.

During this year’s Gala, City Year Sacramento honored the Kings franchise for their ongoing commitment to the community. Kaiser Permanente Senior Vice President and Area Manager Trish Rodriguez presented Kings Owner and Chairman Vivek Ranadivé with an honorary City Year Sacramento jacket. For AmeriCorps members, the jacket symbolizes a sense of purpose for a greater cause and unity within the City Year network. Vivek and the Kings share similar values of education and equity and operate with a passion for uplifting youth and proactively investing in the local community.

Through their partnership with City Year Sacramento, the Kings have hosted and participated in hundreds of community events – including hosting NBA Fit activities at local schools, launching the “ROOT” community garden program that encourages food literacy and healthy eating and having mascot Slamson join an attendance rally at Oak Ridge Elementary School to encourage students to come to school on time every day.

The same evening, the Greater Sacramento Urban League held their annual Unity Dinner at the Hyatt Regency Sacramento. For the past 19 years, the Unity Dinner has celebrated Sacramento’s corporate and community commitment to diversity and shined a light on an outstanding business or individual who has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment the betterment of individuals, families and communities challenged by social and economic barriers in the Sacramento region.

At the dinner, Greater Sacramento Urban League President &amp; CEO Cassandra Jennings presented the 2019 Unity Award to the Kings for their successful Team Up for Change summit. Kings Senior Vice President of Communications Joelle Terry accepted the award on behalf of the team for their shared commitment to educate and empower the local community.

On February 27, the Kings partnered with the Milwaukee Bucks to host “Team Up for Change” – a daylong summit convened to address social injustice and bring together community leaders, law enforcement and youth advocates from Sacramento and Milwaukee by highlighting local and national perspectives of social justice and equity. With a focus on the intersection between sports, race and the pursuit of more equitable communities, the summit encouraged working towards meaningful outcomes for positive change. Later that evening, Kings forward Harrison Barnes participated in a Q&amp;A session with local youth to discuss his role as a player in addressing social injustices. Barnes was also in attendance at the Unity Dinner to represent the Kings franchise.

The Kings are honored to be awarded with the City Year Sacramento honoree jacket and the 2019 Unity Award in recognition of our ongoing efforts to support education, equity and expanding opportunities in our #SacramentoProud community.

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Kings Receive Awards from City Year Sacramento and Greater Sacramento Urban League for Work in the Community

It’s almost been a full year since Stephon Clark was shot and killed in Sacramento.

Since the tragedy, the Sacramento Kings organization–spearheaded by owner Vivek Ranadivé–have partnered with the Build. Black. Coalition to help transform Black communities through deep investment in Black youth in Sacramento.

The efforts of the organization along with the coalition have been fruitful.

Both organizations have teamed up throughout the year to hold positive and impactful events with the Black youth of Sacramento.

Over the weekend, the District Attorney of Sacramento announced that the officers that shot and killed Stephon would not be charged.

This prompted a range of emotions throughout the Sacramento community, and sparked a chance for the Kings and the Build Black Coalition to come together once more.

Kings &amp; Queens Rise, Part 2: A Forum for Justice and Healing.

The community had a chance to unite and have an unapologetic conversation about how they felt after hearing the verdict.

Starting that conversation was founder of Voice of the Youth, Berry Accius.

Berry created an open forum for people to stand up and express how they felt with no judgement.

After that period, the panel discussion with leaders of the Kings community began.

Harrison Barnes, Doug Christie, and Kings Development Coach, Larry Lewis were a part of the panel, with Galen Duncan, VP of the Kings Academy moderating.

Galen had his own set of excellent questions for the panelists to answer, but it was the questions from the community that may have had the most impact on the group.

Most of the questions came from the youth of the community, and they expressed their hopes and fears to the panelists.

Each question was answered with sincerity and thoughtfulness, as all three of the panelists expressed having the same feelings as the audience.

The echoing message throughout the discussion was unity and love.

Harrison noted that although he’s only been in Sacramento for a short time, he can already see all the love this community has to offer.

Doug even chimed in saying, “This [Sacramento] community has accepted me in ways that I can’t ever pay back.”

After the conclusion of the panel, the trio stuck around to continue to interact with the group.

Whether it was through taking pictures, conversing or just taking time to listen, it was clear that their support didn’t end after the panel was over.

It’s a time for healing and to unite the Sacramento community. As Larry Lewis expressed at the forum, things won’t change overnight, but “hate holds you down, and love sets you free.”