Learn Fresh Sacramento kids having a blast at the home of the Kings.
Amid the Sacramento Kings’ imperious form on the court – which currently has them 3rd in the Western Conference – the organization has celebrated Black History Month by hosting a series of events with the Sacramento community aimed to uplift youth and celebrate diversity.
Let’s take a look at the good things happening in California’s capital.
Black History Month Career Panel, Kings Math Hoops Live presented by NBC Sports
The Kings partnered with Learn Fresh and NBC Sports to host a career panel as well as the NBA Math Hoops experience at the Golden 1 Center.
Learn Fresh is a nonprofit that utilizes students’ passion for sports and entertainment to inspire their STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and social-emotional learning. To date, Learn Fresh has reached more than 500,000 students and 5,700 educators, with 93% of partnered programs serving low-income communities.
The NBA Math Hoops experience is their most extensive and scaled program, serving over 150,000 students each year whilst continuing to grow. It’s specifically focused on serving students in Grades 3-8.
Additionally, the youth took part in a career panel featuring Kings and NBC Sports team members discussing their career journeys and offering advice.
The conversation was moderated by Stockton Kings emcee Tony Gladney and included Kings social media manager Jonathan Bradley, social responsibility manager Veronne Clark, youth basketball and community engagement Manager Justin Williams and NBC Sports Bay Area and California production manager Cascene Gibson.
“The students were blown away by the opportunity to play NBA Math Hoops on the court at Golden 1 Center, and the engaging and thoughtful panel of Kings and NBC Sports staff provided the perfect cap to a day these students won’t forget,” the Learn Fresh team shared.
916 Amplified – Basketball Art Project with Local Artists + Exhibit
916 Amplified is a program that leverages the Sacramento Kings and NBA platform to shine a spotlight on the diverse local creatives, artists, and small businesses in the Sacramento area.
During the team’s theme and heritage nights, 916 Amplified showcases the work of these individuals and businesses, giving them a unique opportunity to gain exposure and connect with a wider audience. Their goal is to highlight the voices and talents of the Sacramento community and creates a deeper sense of connection between the team and its hometown.
One of the projects 916 Amplified hosts is StreetBALL COURTure. In the most basic sense, StreetBALL COURTure is art that utilizes the basketball as the centerpiece and canvas for a dynamic and thought-provoking exploration of basketball culture, fashion, art, and Black culture.
This project was curated by the Black Artist Foundry and the Sacramento Kings, each bringing their unique perspective and expertise to the table. The art on the basketballs are painted with bold and vibrant colors, featuring iconic imagery and symbols that represent the rich history and cultural significance of the sport within the black community.
The hope is that StreetBALL COURTure created visually striking and thought-provoking art installations, sparked meaningful conversations and promoted greater understanding and appreciation of the cultural significance of basketball.
Take a look below at StreetBALL COURTure:
