Black History Month

wasemorris

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In celebration of&nbsp;Black History Month, the Washington Wizards&nbsp;and Capital City Go-Go, the Wizards’ NBA G League affiliate,&nbsp;will&nbsp;celebrate Black excellence and honor the&nbsp;Black pioneers&nbsp;who&nbsp;have&nbsp;impacted&nbsp;and shaped&nbsp;the NBA and&nbsp;Black culture.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Throughout home games in&nbsp;the month of February, the&nbsp;Wizards and Go-Go&nbsp;will highlight&nbsp;unsung heroes across the DMV and&nbsp;share the&nbsp;rich history of basketball&nbsp;with&nbsp;a new&nbsp;generation of fans,&nbsp;recognizing&nbsp;and honoring&nbsp;the past while uplifting and celebrating the present. Theme nights at Wizards games include: A Night of&nbsp;Black Excellence&nbsp;&&nbsp;NBA Pioneer Celebration (Feb. 3 vs. NYK), Sneaker Night presented by Hennessy (Feb. 20 vs. IND), and HBCU & D9 Night (Feb. 28 vs. TOR).&nbsp;

The Go-Go will also&nbsp;hold a Black History Month Celebration during their Feb. 7&nbsp;game vs. Birmingham. Activations will&nbsp;include&nbsp;a&nbsp;Black History Museum&nbsp;installation on the concourse and&nbsp;a&nbsp;video&nbsp;highlighting&nbsp;the history of Go-Go music. The first&nbsp;500&nbsp;fans&nbsp;in attendance&nbsp;will receive a&nbsp;“The District is Black History”&nbsp;T-shirt.&nbsp;Performing throughout the night will be District Kings, a dynamic collective of elite musicians from Washington, D.C.,&nbsp;led by percussionist Jammin Jeffrey Warren.&nbsp;Fans&nbsp;interested in attending&nbsp;can&nbsp;purchase&nbsp;regular game tickets&nbsp;here&nbsp;or&nbsp;the Sips Night Package, which includes a Black History Month Capital City sip&nbsp;cup&nbsp;here.&nbsp;

Highlights from the Wizards’ Black History Month programming include:&nbsp;

A Night of Black Excellence & NBA Pioneers Celebration&nbsp;

On&nbsp;Tuesday, Feb.&nbsp;3,&nbsp;the Wizards will&nbsp;spotlight&nbsp;the Black&nbsp;pioneers who&nbsp;helped shape&nbsp;the&nbsp;NBA and&nbsp;the&nbsp;DMV, focusing on the legacies of Dr. E.B. Henderson,&nbsp;the&nbsp;Black Fives, and Earl Lloyd.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Dr. E.B. Henderson, a sports historian, educator, administrator, coach, athlete, and civil rights activist,&nbsp;is widely&nbsp;considered the “Grandfather of Black Basketball.”&nbsp;He was&nbsp;an advocate and pioneer for African Americans&nbsp;and played a critical role in introducing organized basketball to the Black community in Washington, D.C.&nbsp;

The team will&nbsp;take the opportunity to&nbsp;educate fans on the Black Fives. Shortly after basketball was invented in 1891, teams were referred to&nbsp;as&nbsp;“fives,”&nbsp;refencing&nbsp;their&nbsp;starting five&nbsp;players.&nbsp;Due to racial segregation, African American&nbsp;teams&nbsp;were often known as “Black Fives.” The period between 1904 and the racial integration of the National Basketball League in the 1940s&nbsp;became known&nbsp;as the&nbsp;Black Fives Era,&nbsp;during which&nbsp;numerous&nbsp;all-Black teams&nbsp;emerged.&nbsp;Beyond&nbsp;advancing the&nbsp;growth&nbsp;of&nbsp;the sport, these basketball games&nbsp;served as&nbsp;meaningful social&nbsp;and cultural events, opening doors for generations of Black players and&nbsp;leaving&nbsp;a&nbsp;lasting legacy.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Throughout the 2025-26 season, the NBA will&nbsp;commemorate&nbsp;the 75th&nbsp;Anniversary of the first Black players in the&nbsp;league,&nbsp;celebrating their legacy, impact, and influence on&nbsp;future&nbsp;generations. Washington’s Earl Lloyd made history&nbsp;as&nbsp;the first Black athlete&nbsp;to play in an&nbsp;NBA&nbsp;game after being&nbsp;drafted&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;ninth round&nbsp;by the then-Washington&nbsp;Capitols.&nbsp;&nbsp;

To celebrate the night, the&nbsp;Wizards will sell an exclusive Black Fives x Wizards collaboration hoodie at the Capital One Arena Team Store.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Sneaker Night presented by Hennessy&nbsp;

The Wizards will celebrate sneaker culture by hosting Sneaker Night presented by Hennessy on&nbsp;Friday,&nbsp;Feb. 20, when the&nbsp;Indiana Pacers&nbsp;come to Capital One Arena.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Throughout the week&nbsp;leading up to Sneaker Night, the team’s social channels will&nbsp;feature content highlighting&nbsp;sneaker fashion and culture, including&nbsp;the&nbsp;Hennessy x Wizards Sneaker Stories series, where fans are encouraged to&nbsp;submit&nbsp;their&nbsp;own&nbsp;sneaker&nbsp;content.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Prior&nbsp;to tip off, fans can attend&nbsp;a Hennessy-themed Sneaker Night Block Party at District E powered by Ticketmaster from 5-6:30 p.m.&nbsp;Activations&nbsp;include&nbsp;Hennessy cocktail sampling,&nbsp;appetizers,&nbsp;VR world,&nbsp;360-degree photobooth,&nbsp;and fans can scan a special QR code to unlock Hennessy&nbsp;cocktail&nbsp;recipes.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation (MSEF) will also donate $10,000 to the Soles4Souls (S4S). S4S is a non-profit organization that turns unwanted shoes and clothing into an opportunity through programs that provide relief, create jobs, and empower people to break the cycle of poverty. Net proceeds from the Feb.&nbsp;20 50/50 raffle will&nbsp;also&nbsp;benefit&nbsp;S4S.&nbsp;For more information on the 50/50 raffle, visit https://www.monumentalfoundation.org/5050, or to&nbsp;purchase&nbsp;tickets online, click here.&nbsp;

Fans wishing to attend Sneaker Night can&nbsp;purchase&nbsp;tickets here.&nbsp;&nbsp;Tickets&nbsp;purchased&nbsp;through the link will&nbsp;include&nbsp;a&nbsp;pair of&nbsp;limited-edition Wizards crew socks,&nbsp;while supplies last.&nbsp;

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Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) & Divine 9 (D9) Night&nbsp;

On&nbsp;Saturday, Feb.&nbsp;28, the&nbsp;Wizards&nbsp;will celebrate the legacy of Historically Black Colleges and Universities with HBCU & D9 Night.&nbsp; &nbsp;

The Wizards will hold a HBCU & D9 pregame&nbsp;Block Party&nbsp;from 5-6:30 p.m. at District E Powered by Ticketmaster.&nbsp;Fans&nbsp;in attendance&nbsp;will receive an&nbsp;exclusive&nbsp;HBCU & D9 giveaway while supplies last. The first 150 fans will receive a complimentary&nbsp;HBCU-themed&nbsp;beverage,&nbsp;and&nbsp;fans 21+&nbsp;can enjoy Hennessy sampling.&nbsp;Free appetizers will also be available while supplies last.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Bowie State University alum and Omega Psi Phi, Inc fraternity member&nbsp;KyleontheMic&nbsp;will host&nbsp;while&nbsp;DJ Chalant&nbsp;will entertain the crowd. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Throughout the game, video&nbsp;features will highlight&nbsp;the 2026 HBCU Hustle&nbsp;Hard&nbsp;Competition&nbsp;winner&nbsp;and&nbsp;the&nbsp;2026 Battle of the DJs winner.&nbsp;HBCU graduates and D9 members are encouraged to wear their school and/or D9 apparel to show their pride and&nbsp;transform&nbsp;Capital One Arena into a homecoming-style&nbsp;celebration.&nbsp;

Fans wishing to attend the Wizards’ HBCU & D9&nbsp;Night can&nbsp;purchase&nbsp;tickets by&nbsp;visiting&nbsp;https://www.gofevo.com/event/26wiz-hbcu-d9.&nbsp;Tickets&nbsp;purchased&nbsp;through the link will&nbsp;include a&nbsp;co-branded&nbsp;HBCU Pride&nbsp;x&nbsp;Wizards Hawaiian shirt&nbsp;as a gift with purchase,&nbsp;while supplies last.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Fans&nbsp;looking for an all-day celebration can also attend the HBCU & D9 Day Party during the&nbsp;Go-Go’s&nbsp;2 p.m.&nbsp;game against&nbsp;the&nbsp;College Park Skyhawks at CareFirst Arena. Highlights include&nbsp;a celebration of the history and legacy of HBCUs&nbsp;&&nbsp;D9 organizations, along with&nbsp;select D9 performances. A special Sips Night Package will be available&nbsp;and&nbsp;will&nbsp;include&nbsp;a HBCU &&nbsp;D9 Capital City sip cup with purchase.&nbsp;

On&nbsp;Tuesday, Feb.&nbsp;3,&nbsp;when the&nbsp;New York Knicks&nbsp;come to Capital One Arena, the first 10,000 fans in attendance will receive an&nbsp;AJ Johnson-designed City Edition hat.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Washington Wizards, in partnership with INROADS, Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation (MSEF), and the Leonsis family, invite high school seniors&nbsp;in&nbsp;the DMV&nbsp;and the&nbsp;Baltimore area to&nbsp;participate&nbsp;in its annual E.B Henderson Essay Contest.&nbsp;The contest honors Dr. Edwin Bancroft (E.B.) Henderson and the contributions he made to athletics in Washington, D.C. Open to high school seniors attending eligible schools within a 75-mile radius&nbsp;of the DMV, the contest runs from Nov. 14, 2025, through Feb. 1, 2026.&nbsp;&nbsp;

This year’s essay continues to celebrate and honor the legacy of Henderson, recognizing his ability to inspire others to use their talents, passions, and interests to create positive change in their communities. Henderson was the first to introduce organized basketball to&nbsp;African Americans&nbsp;in Washington, D.C. Additionally, he helped&nbsp;establish&nbsp;the Interscholastic Athletic Association (ISSA), which expanded high school and college athletics in D.C.’s Black community.&nbsp;

Students are asked to&nbsp;write&nbsp;a 350-500-word essay about a personal interest – such as art, sports, coding, music, or another passion, that can be used to educate and uplift others in their community. &nbsp;

Winners will be recognized during the Wizards vs. Charlotte Hornets game on Feb. 22.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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washington-wizards-capital-city-go-go-announce-black-history-month-activations

Washington Wizards & Capital City Go-Go Announce Black History Month Activations

wasmsqueri

WASHINGTON, D.C. –  As part of the Washington Wizards’ Black History Month celebration, the team will partner with MedStar Health to host Heart Health Awareness Night on Wednesday, February 12, when the Indiana Pacers come to Capital One Arena. Tip-off is 7:00 p.m.&nbsp;

As part of the team’s “Not Bound by One Month” Black History Month campaign presented by Stackwell Capital, the digital investment platform created to eliminate the racial wealth gap, the Wizards will highlight a specific industry, cause, or group that have impacted Black history.&nbsp;

Prior to the game, MedStar Health cardiac patients, will serve as co-captain and present the game ball before tip-off. Wizards’ DJ, DJ Heat, will also interview MedStar Health sports cardiologist Dr. Aubrey Grant courtside to discuss the importance of sports and heart health, and what athletes need in order to stay active and maintain good cardiovascular health.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In celebration of Heart Health Awareness Night, various activations will take place throughout the game. Informational graphics will display heart health information and facts on LED signage to educate fans on the importance of heart health. The team will also give special recognition to MedStar Health patients at halftime and spotlight MedStar Health cardiologist Dr. Reginald Robinson, who was named the American Heart Association’s 2024 Physician of the Year.&nbsp;

The Wizards will also host doctors and health care professionals on MedStar Health’s heart and vascular team who are making a difference in the DMV area.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Fans interested in attending can purchase tickets by clicking here. &nbsp;

wizards-partner-with-medstar-health-to-host-heart-health-awareness-night

  Wizards Partner with MedStar Health to host Heart Health Awareness Night

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Throughout Black History Month, the Washington Wizards will continue to spotlight its “Not Bound by One Month” campaign presented by Stackwell Capital, which is a continuation of the Wizards emphasis that Black history is not constricted to just one month. &nbsp;

Throughout home games in the month of February, the team will highlight a specific industry, cause, or group that have impacted Black history. The themes include Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) & Divine 9 (D9) Night presented by Stackwell Capital (Feb. 8 vs. Atlanta), French Heritage Night (Feb. 10 vs. San Antonio), Heart Health Awareness Night presented by MedStar Health (Feb. 12 vs. Indiana), and STEM Night presented by KPMG (Feb. 24 vs. Brooklyn).&nbsp;&nbsp;

Highlights from the Wizards’ Black History Month programming include:&nbsp;

The Wizards’ popular Friday Night Concert Series presented by Sprite will return on Friday, Feb. 7. Local Go-Go bands Backyard Band and Junkyard Band will entertain the crowd.&nbsp;&nbsp;

On Friday, Feb. 21, following the game vs. the Milwaukee Bucks, multi-Grammy Award-winning artist T.I. will perform hits “Bring ‘Em Out,” “U Don’t Know Me,” “Whatever You Like,” and “Live Your Life.”&nbsp;

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) & Divine 9 (D9) Night&nbsp;

On Saturday, Feb. 8, the team will celebrate the legacy of Historically Black Colleges and Universities with HBCU & D9 Night presented by Stackwell Capital.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Wizards will hold a HBCU & D9 pregame tailgate from 5:00-6:30 p.m. at District E Powered by Ticketmaster. The first 150 fans at the tailgate will receive a free Wizards branded giveaway and a complimentary beverage. Free appetizers will also be available while supplies last. Bowie State University alum and Omega Psi Phi, Inc fraternity member, KyleontheMic, will host, and the 2024 HBCU Battle of the DJs winner and Howard University student, DJ Dream Marie, will entertain the crowd.&nbsp;&nbsp;

A D9 stroll will take place at halftime and HBCU graduates and D9 members are encouraged to wear their school and/or D9 apparel to show their pride and turn Capital One Arena into a homecoming celebration.&nbsp;

Other activations include a spotlight on the Cheyney University Dance Team and a joint performance from the Wizards and Howard University Dancers. The University of the District of Columbia (UDC) Choir will perform the national anthem, and on the concourse, a HBCU Night fan wall will feature fans in their HBCU gear.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Fans wishing to attend the Wizards’ HBCU & D9 night can purchase tickets by visiting https://fevo-enterprise.com/event/wiz-hbcu25. Tickets purchased through the link will receive a HBCU bucket hat as a gift with purchase.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Throughout the month, fans can take home a variety of giveaways. On Monday, Feb. 10 when the San Antonio Spurs come to Capital One Arena, the first 10,000 fans in attendance will receive a Bilal Coulibaly and Alex Sarr French-themed double bobblehead to commemorate French Heritage Night. When fans purchase tickets for the Feb. 10 matchup through the following link https://fevo-enterprise.com/event/wiz-french25,&nbsp; they will receive a French-inspired reversible bucket hat.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Washington Wizards, in partnership with INROADS, the Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation (MSEF), and the Leonsis family, have invited high school seniors in the DMV area to participate in the E.B. Henderson Essay Contest. The contest honors Dr. Edwin Bancroft (E.B.) Henderson and recognizes Benjamin Banneker, an African American surveyor, mathematician, and astronomer who is credited with helping establish the original boundary of the Nation’s Capital. &nbsp;

This year’s essay celebrates “men of firsts” and the foundation that Dr. Henderson, known as the 'Grandfather of Black Basketball' in Washington, D.C., and Banneker, had in laying the groundwork in their respective fields. Henderson was first to introduce organized basketball to African Americans in Washington, D.C., and Banneker not only laid the first boundary stone to outline the District of Columbia but also made America’s first clock. &nbsp;

Winners of the contest will be announced on Monday, February 24.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Stackwell is an innovative fintech platform dedicated to helping build thriving communities by increasing the financial wellness and ownership of financial assets for underrepresented Americans. Stackwell’s platform provides automated portfolio construction, financial wellness education to increase investor identity, knowledge and confidence, and a science-based engagement model to drive behavioral change and financial goals realization. Through its vast partnership network of higher education institutions, non-profits, financial services firms, community and professional organizations, and professional sports teams, Stackwell enables diverse Americans to access tools to build lasting wealth, equity, and opportunity through the realization of investment returns.&nbsp;

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Wizards Announce Black History Month Activations

wasatemperly

Washington, D.C. – For the third consecutive year, the Washington Wizards will partner with the Greater Washington Urban League to encourage high school students to participate in an essay contest.&nbsp;

"As one of the District’s oldest civil rights organizations, we are honored to partner with the Washington Wizards on the third annual Dr. E.B. Henderson Essay Contest,” said President and CEO of the Greater Washington Urban League George H. Lambert Jr.&nbsp; “This collaboration reinforces our unwavering commitment to creating access for our students to pursue higher education.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The contest, open to all DMV high school seniors attending eligible schools within a 75-mile radius, will run from November 15, 2023, to February 1, 2024, with the winners being announced on the Wizards’ social platforms and at a Wizards home game during Black History Month. &nbsp;

This year’s essays will recognize the achievements of Dr. E.B. Henderson, a sports historian, educator, administrator, coach, athlete, and civil rights activist, known as the 'Grandfather of Black Basketball' in Washington, D.C. and Benjamin Banneker, a mathematician and astronomer who is credited with helping establish the original boundary of the Nation’s Capital.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Henderson and Banneker were both dedicated to education and advancement of the Black community in the District. Henderson was said to have written over 3,000 letters to newspapers advocating for civil rights and Banneker wrote a letter to then U.S. Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson advocating for justice of African Americans and opposing slavery. Students are asked to select a community leader or organization that has impacted their life and write a 350-500 word essay advocating for their cause/mission and its importance. &nbsp;

Essays will be reviewed, and the top 10 finalists will receive a monetary scholarship towards their continued education route or college of their choice. The grand prize winner will receive $5,000, the second-place winner will receive $4,000, the third-place finisher will receive $3,500, and the other seven finalists will receive $2,500 courtesy of the Monumental Sports Entertainment Foundation and The Leonsis Foundation. Winners will also be recognized at a Wizards home game and on the Wizards’ digital platforms. All students who submit an essay that fits the criteria of the contest will receive two complimentary tickets to a select home game during the 2023-24 season. &nbsp;

More information on the Wizards’ essay contest can be found at nba.com/wizards/essaycontest2324.&nbsp;

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Wizards to Host Essay Contest for High School Seniors

waskvargas

As part of the team’s inaugural battle of the HBCU DJs, winner Kay-Dee Dimes (djkdimes) from Howard University will work the turntables during the game alongside Wizards entertainer and Morgan State alum, DJ Heat.

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HBCU Battle of the DJs

On Saturday, February 11, as part of HBCU night, Stackwell Capital will host a pregame financial seminar. The panel, moderated by Britt Waters, will feature Stackwell Capital CEO Trevor Rozier-Byrd, Wizards Vice President of Player Development & Engagement John Thompson III and Head of Financial Innovation at Better, Nneka Ukpai.

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HBCU Financial Literacy Panel

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2022-23 Essay Contest Winners

As part of the team’s Black History Month celebration presented by Stackwell Capital, the digital investment platform created to eliminate the racial wealth gap, the Washington Wizards will recognize and celebrate the achievements, influence and talents of individuals and organizations from the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area throughout the month of February as part of the “Our Community, Our History” campaign.

Black History Month

Washington Wizards & Capital City Go-Go Announce Black History Month Activations

Wizards Partner with MedStar Health to host Heart Health Awareness Night

Wizards Announce Black History Month Activations

Wizards to Host Essay Contest for High School Seniors

HBCU Battle of the DJs

HBCU Financial Literacy Panel

2022-23 Essay Contest Winners

History of D.C.

  Wizards Partner with MedStar Health to host Heart Health Awareness Night