Team Up For Change

ABOUT TEAM UP FOR CHANGE

The Sacramento Kings, in partnership with the Milwaukee Bucks, launched the award-winning initiative Team Up for Change in 2019 to unite, inspire and activate around a shared commitment and call for racial equality and social justice. 

This multi-faceted initiative features:  

  • The Summit, a half-day event featuringchangemakers, innovators, and experts working in the pursuit of more equitable communities. This unique convening is designed to provide insight into the social justice movement, explore strategies to combat systemic racism and showcase voices driving sustainable change. 
  • A Week of Action, by 11 NBA and WNBA teams across 10 communities nationwide. Participating teams will host Team Up for Change events and activations in their markets that spur dynamic conversations, promote youth mentorship, and amplify the voices of community leaders.     
  • The Huddle, an intimate conversation between a young changemaker and an NBA or WNBA player or coach regarding their personal journey and efforts to achieve social and racial equity.  

View the 2023 Team Up for Change Summit agenda HERE.

Team Up For Change 2020

VISION

Team Up for Change envisions a space for teams to come together were we collectively:

Unite as teams off the court and come together with our cities to confront the issues that plague our most vulnerable populations by using our platforms for robust, honest discussion, and action to ignite sustainable change.

Inspire leaders from the league, our organizations and local communities to use their influence in dialogue that promotes critical questioning and relevant actions while addressing systemic and racial injustices.

Activate with our communities to support students, youth advocates, educators and nonprofit leaders to provide resources that promote education, inclusion, health and economic development.

2023 SPEAKERS

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Adam Silver 
NBA Commissioner  

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Akilah Weber  
California State Assemblymember

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Alex Bhathal
Co-owner and Executive Board Member, Sacramento Kings 

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Archana Sahgal
Founder and President of Hyphen 

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Carmen Perez
President and CEO, The Gathering for Justice

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Dr. Anna Malaika Tubbs
NYT Bestselling Author, sociologist, and researcher  

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Dr. Vajra Watson 
Scholar-activist, faculty director, and professor, Sacramento State University, Sacramento. 

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Gianna Hearn
Sports Anchor and Team Up for Change Host

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Jon Horst 
General Manager, Milwaukee Bucks

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Mannone Butler
Head of Programs and Partnerships, National Basketball Social Justice Coalition 

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Marc Spears 
Senior NBA Writer, Andscape and ESPN 

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Marianna Sousa
Edutainment Specialist & Author

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Matina Kolokotronis 
COO, Sacramento Kings

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MC Lyte 
American rapper, DJ, actress and entrepreneur 

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Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D
California Secretary of State

PREVIOUS PERFORMANCES

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WEEK OF ACTION

During the Week of Action, the participating teams will strive to deepen connections in their communities with events that spur dynamic conversations, interactions with youth groups and healing.

CONTENT SERIES

Sacramento Change-Maker Travels to D.C. for Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity with the Kings

Cavaliers Host "The Huddle" Conversation

San Antonio Activist Ayanna Young on Empowering the Next Generation

GET INVOLVED

Black Lives Matter Resources
Take Action

Birthing While Black
Learn More