Dream Big

nbaplatformservices

kennedy-king-memorial-initiative-future

Kennedy-King Memorial Initiative: Future

Kennedy-King Memorial Initiative: Present

kennedy-king-memorial-initiative-present

kennedy-king-memorial-initiative-past

Kennedy-King Memorial Initiative: Past

admin

INDIANAPOLIS – Pacers Sports & Entertainment today announced the continuation of Dream Big, a series of service and learning opportunities for Black History Month aimed at inspiring community action even beyond February's 28 days. Activities during February align to PS&E's Social Justice Agenda and include a day of service in support of local educators, a symposium for youth coaches changing lives through sports, and an effort to increase awareness of Indianapolis' special connection to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy.

"The effort and investment needed to assist our vulnerable neighbors and help build our communit y must go well beyond 28 days," said Rick Fuson PS&E President & CEO. "Together, we must dream bigger and change the way we learn, grow, invest, and lead if we are going to make lasting change. I am encouraged that the action we began in June of last year continues during Black History Month and inspires ongoing year-round solutions."

Dream Big activities and campaigns will include:

• The Beloved Community Partnership with the Kennedy-King Memorial Initiative: PS&E will engage in a month-long campaign to raise awareness about the Kennedy-King Memorial Initiative, which commemorates the powerful message of hope and unity Robert F. Kennedy delivered in Indianapolis just hours after learning about the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Kennedy's speech is widely credited for being instrumental in helping to maintain peace and calm tensions in America's cities that evening and is recognized as one of the great speeches in American history.

• Black History Month Coaches Symposium and Skills Clinic: PS&E will conduct the Black History Month Coaches Symposium on February 23, 2021, from 6:30pm-8pm. The symposium will include a panel discussion on the power of sports to create community-level change and will feature Pacers head coach Nate Bjorkgren, Fever head coach Marianne Stanley, Pacers color analyst and Indiana basketball great Quinn Buckner, and more. Immediately following, Pacers pre-game and post-game analyst and former NBA player Eddie Gill will conduct a virtual skills clinic for youth coaches around the state. The Coaches Symposium is open to the public, and more information will be available on the teams' social media channels and websites.

• PS&E-Teachers' Treasures Day of Service: PS&E staff will support of Teacher's Treasures, an Indianapolis organization dedicated to providing teachers in local schools the resources they need for their students and classrooms, in a day of service. Staff and partners will stock shelves, sort backpacks, prepare hygiene kits for students, and collect donations for this important community-based nonprofit.

For more information on Dream Big activities and PS&E’s other community engagement efforts, click here.

pacers-sports-entertainment-partnerships-and-activities-encourage-hoosiers-to-dream-big-for-black-history-month

Pacers Sports & Entertainment Partnerships and Activities Encourage Hoosiers to Dream Big for Black History Month

dream-big-2020-recap

Dream Big 2020 Recap

Dream BIG Creative Arts Contest Winner's Tour

dream-big-creative-arts-contest-winners-tour

2020-capes-for-kids-event

2020 Capes for Kids Event

INDIANAPOLIS (1/2/20) – "Dream BIG" is an initiative of the Indiana Pacers and the team’s Pacers Cares program that celebrates and honors African Americans for their countless contributions that have opened doors for people not only in the United States, but around the world. Dream BIG hopes to engage children educating them about black history to positively impact their future.

The Pacers "Dream BIG" program is presented by Honda Manufacturing of Indiana and is a year-long campaign that includes many programs and events, including the following: 1.) Dream Big Creative Arts Contest, Jan. 1-31; 2.) Capes for Kids, Jan. 31; 3.) Black History Month Coaches Symposium, Feb. 26; 4.) IPS Black History Moments and 5.) Black History Month Assist Challenge.

DREAM BIG CREATIVE ARTS CONTEST; JANUARY 1-31, 2020

The Pacers, Honda Manufacturing of Indiana and Indianapolis Public Schools have teamed up for the “Dream BIG” Creative Arts contest. This contest is a multi-media challenge, open to students in fourth through ninth grade.

Student submissions consist of essays, poems, videos and visual media and are based on inspiring individuals in black history or in their own personal lives. The top winners in each grade receive tickets to a Pacers game and in-game recognition. In addition, each winner will be treated to lunch and tour of the Indiana History Center with a member of the Pacers. Official Rules »

Through the Pacers' Capes for Kids program, students from James Whitcomb Riley School 43 will hear from Pacers Alumni about the contributions African Americans have made to our country and how dreaming big made them who they are today. Students then can dream big by creating their own superhero capes with help from Pacers forward Justin Holiday, Pacers Sports & Entertainment & Honda Manufacturing of Indiana volunteers, as well as members of the Indiana Pacemates and Boomer.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH COACHES SYMPOSIUM; FEBRUARY 26, 2020

Pacers Head Coach Nate McMillan, Pacers alumni and other local community leaders will discuss race in sports and how basketball can promote positive change in the community. After this discussion, coaches in attendance will participate in a Coaches Clinic led by McMillan.

In partnership with Indianapolis Public Schools, the Pacers will feature Black History Moments via social media throughout the month of February. These moments will feature local community leaders, Pacers Sports & Entertainment staff and IPS staff who have made an impact in our community.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH ASSIST CHALLENGE; FEBRUARY

The Pacers and Honda Manufacturing of Indiana are teaming up for the Black History Month Assist Challenge.

The Black History Month Assist Challenge is a month-long prostate cancer awareness campaign that focuses on awareness and investment in a cure for prostate cancer.

For every assist at the Pacers game on Feb. 1, Pacers Sports & Entertainment will donate $250 back to the Prostate Cancer Foundation.