Team will honor and celebrate central figures in Black history and today’s Black voices
Oklahoma City, Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022 – The Oklahoma City Thunder is celebrating Black History Month through in-game presentations, its annual Black Heritage Creative Contest, amplifying historical and modern-day Black voices, and various community events.
Games during Black History Month will include a performance of Lift Every Voice and Sing, known as the Black national anthem and a special Feb. 16 halftime performance by the Langston University Marching Band. In addition to performances, fans will see Black history facts on arena digital boards and a tribute to civil rights pioneer Clara Luper and others on the chalk wall in section 312.
Through the Black Heritage Creative Contest, sponsored by Sprite, students in grades 9-12 are invited to submit an original creative piece describing or depicting an inspiring experience, moment, or individual in black history, and how they’ve been personally influences. The contest closes on Wednesday, Feb. 16. Winners will be announced at the Feb. 28 game and receive game tickets, autographed Thunder gear, and have their artwork on display at Paycom Center, in the game-night program and online.
Each week in February the Thunder will publish content that features historical figures such as Solomon Sir Jones the Muskogee, Okla., minister who documented Black life in Oklahoma in the 1920s. His films are widely recognized as one of the most significant records of Black culture during that time. Content will also feature today’s Black voices including Thunder employees and other leaders in Oklahoma.
The Thunder will also continue its Black History Month theme with its community programs such as the Rolling Thunder Book Bus and Little Library, Reading Time Out, and digital fan engagement.
For more information about the Thunder’s Black History Month efforts, visit https://www.nba.com/thunder/bhm.
Media note: For coverage of any of these activities, please contact the Thunder Corporate Communications staff.
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