The arena before the game between the Washington Wizards and Golden State Warriors on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Players and staffers from the Wizards and Warriors met with students at Howard University Jan. 16 to not only offer inspiration but to honor the life and work of Martin Luther King Jr.
Warriors Kevon Looney, Jordan Poole, Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, and Donte DiVincenzo attended Howard’s 89-65 victory over Morehouse, making sure to meet with the Howard University men’s basketball team, according to the institution.
The two NBA teams also partnered to offer $7,500 scholarships to Aniya Majors-Rivera and NaKeisha Rawlings, two mothers attending Howard, the institution said.
Was all love at Howard University last night pic.twitter.com/jt6vkr4msd
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) January 17, 2023
Andre Iguodala and Johnny Davis also spoke with spectators after the Wizards-Warriors game as part of a sports and culture panel hosted by Marc Spears, senior NBA writer at Andscape, according to Howard.
David Kelly, Chase Center legal officer with the Warriors and a Morehouse alum, sat on the panel as well and later shared his thoughts with NBA.com.
He said he appreciated the opportunity to speak with the young people and celebrate King Jr.’s “enduring legacy.”
“I hope that students understand that their potential is only limited by their own imagination,” Kelly said. “Whether they want to pursue opportunities in sports, entertainment or other fields, they are being well prepared by their respective HBCU to make a lasting impact on the world.”
Kelly said it was “extremely gratifying” to work with an organization such as the Warriors, which has strived to support Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
“Attending Morehouse College was a life-changing experience for me,” Kelly said. “In addition to a top notch education, it instilled a sense of pride and peace in me that has been immeasurable.”
Kelly noted that HBCUs have consistently produced some of the greatest American minds and leaders.
“I hope that people recognize this fact and begin to imagine what HBCUs could accomplish with greater resources at their disposal,” Kelly said.
Among others, W.E.B. DuBois, Toni Morrison, Spike Lee, the Rev. Jesse Jackson Jr., Samuel L. Jackson and David Dinkins graduated from an HBCU.
Over the course of the day, media members, including broadcasters Kelenna Azubuike and Jim Barnett, as well as The Athletic’s David Aldridge, met with journalism students to discuss the ins-and-outs of covering a team, sharing their thoughts about the craft of writing articles and walking them through a typical day.
Oakland rapper Mistah F.A.B., who recently received the key to the city in Oakland, performed “My Perfect City,” which promotes racial equality and condemns violence in the community, during Howard University’s game as part of the weekend’s events as well.
