For us, every month is Black History Month. There's no beginning and no end. Still, we would like to share with you some of our February 2015 news and highlights.
Thank you!
Claude
Claude Johnson Founder & Executive Director The Black Fives Foundation BlackFives.org
#blackfives #makehistorynow
(Banner: Images of NBA pioneer and Basketball Hall of Fame member Earl Lloyd as a player and in modern times, along with our brand iconography and motto.)
Announced on Valentine's Day during the NBA All Star Weekend! Our friend, former ‪New York Rens‬ and Washington Bears player John "Boy Wonder" Isaacs, was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame! We are so proud and SO HAPPY for the Isaacs family as well as for ALL of his fans and those he touched over the many years! Mr. I made a real difference and it is tremendous that he is acknowledged now in this way! Congratulations John! Thanks must go to the many advocates and supporters who made the case for his enshrinement over the years. MORE
We are mourning the loss of basketball pioneer and Hall of Fame member Earl Lloyd, the first African American to play in the NBA, who passed away on February 26 at the age of 86. A year ago, we attended the unveiling of his statue at West Virginia State University, his alma mater. Bill Russell and Oscar Robertson were there, symbolizing the highest level of respect the basketball world held for Lloyd’s pioneering achievements and elder statesmanship. Our 2010 interview with Earl captures some of his life, wisdom, and humor. Please take a listen. MORE
MSG Network, the official broadcaster of the New York Knicks, introduced this really cool new Black History Month public service announcment at the beginning of the month. It honors the pioneering teams of the Black Fives Era and stars Darryl "DMC" McDaniels of Run DMC. Please take a look. WATCH
The Black Fives Foundation has teamed up with the Brooklyn Nets to conduct a series of Brooklyn-focused school educational presentations about the history of pioneering Black Fives Era teams and contributors. The initiative, announced on February 10, which is "Black Fives Day" for the City of New York, is part of Brooklyn Nets Assist, a commitment by the team toward giving back and bettering the lives of youth and adults in its surrounding communities. The history presentations will include graphic-panel displays that are a portable version of the our acclaimed museum exhibition. MORE
With the NBA All Star Weekend in New York City this year, local television station WPIX 11 produced One-on-One: A Historic Look at the Journey of African American Basketball in NYC, a film series that highlights the pioneering contributions of Black Fives Era teams and players who paved the way for today's superstars like Lebron, Kobe, and Carmelo. The segments, with WPIX 11 News reporter James Ford and producer Kim Pestalozzi, first aired during the week leading up to the NBA All Star festivities, which were in Brooklyn and Manhattan this year. They featured materials from our historical archive as well as a chance for me to be on-camera to share some facts. Thank you WPIX for this great opportunity! And thanks to our friend Mark Johnson for the nod. WATCH
As part of its ongoing "Original Pioneers" campaign, Fox Sports Net introduced four new television vignettes celebrating Black Fives Era pioneers Chris "Dutch" Huiswoud, Major Aloysius Hart, Clarence "Fats" Jenkins, and the Smart Set Athletic Club of Brooklyn. With these segments, directed by Loren Mendell and with the help of our research and historical materials, Fox Sports Net continues to break through with unprecedented exposure for this important history. Thank you FSN! The Smart Set piece is below. You could also check out the entire playlist here.
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