Suns, HeroZona Honor African American Organizations for Black History Month

USA - English

• USA - English

PHOENIX, Feb. 9, 2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The HeroZona Foundation and the Phoenix Suns are excited to announce they will be honoring African American leaders from across the Valley during the team's game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Footprint Center (201 E. Jefferson St.) in Phoenix on Thursday, Feb. 10. At the event, Black organizations in Arizona will be invited and recognized at the team's Ring of Honor suite in celebration of Black History Month.

Groups being honored include the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Phoenix Metropolitan Chapter, the Phoenix 100 Black Men, the African American Clergy Association, the NAACP Arizona State Conference, the NAACP Maricopa County Branch, the NAACP East Valley Branch, the Zion Institute, the Travis L. Williams American Legion Post 65, and the National Panhellenic Council Phoenix Metropolitan Area.

"Consistent with the goal of the NAACP, to create unity and equal opportunities for all people, the Herozona Foundation is an exemplary example of an organization working hard to make Arizona a better place through its numerous collaborations and diversity events," said Dr. Karen Hardin, President of the NAACP Maricopa County Branch.

The Phoenix Suns organization, led by President & CEO Jason Rowley, has a long history of supporting social justice and criminal-justice reform. When the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter started in June 2020, the team players swapped their names on their jerseys for social justice messages and launched the content series, Don't Sleep on Basketball, that documented the new normal that both the basketball community and country began living through. This month, the Suns are celebrating Black History Month through numerous in-game and community initiatives like this event, the "I am Black History" mural at Footprint Center (painted by artists Lucretia Torva and Jennifer White), and more.

"We are proud to partner with the HeroZona Foundation in recognizing Black Community leaders during Black History Month," said Rowley. "In doing so, we have the opportunity to acknowledge the beautiful and unique diversity within Black communities throughout the Valley and Arizona. Our goal is to pair the knowledge of history with action and use this month to build positive and lasting change throughout our community."

The HeroZona Foundation is one of Arizona's leading nonprofits focused on improving the livelihoods of citizens in underserved populations. It has most notably hosted a variety of iterations of the Bridge Forum, a series dedicated to fostering productive conversations between local leaders on important topics such as race, veterans' affairs and the connection between law enforcement and the community. In September 2020, the foundation hosted a sports edition of the series, during which a panel of renowned Arizona sports leaders discussed systemic racism in America and how major and minor league organizations can enact social change.

"The groups we're honoring today have led the charge in making sure that African Americans across all neighborhoods of Arizona have the resources they need to thrive," says U.S. Army Desert Storm Veteran and HeroZona Foundation Co-Founder, Alan "AP" Powell. "We're excited to celebrate those who are continuing to fight for racial justice, equality and equity."

For more information about the foundation's community program partnerships visit herozona.org or follow on Facebook.com/HeroZonaOrg.

About the HeroZona Foundation
The HeroZona Foundation is a non-profit organization that empowers Heroes in the community through entrepreneurship, employment, and education. The group works with veterans, first responders and those that bring social good to future generations and under-served communities. The foundation's mission is to create opportunities for the brave men and women who serve their country, and community, every day. For more information, please visit HeroZona.org.

About Suns Legacy Partners, LLC
Suns Legacy Partners, LLC operates the Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Mercury, and Footprint Center. The Suns are Arizona's original professional sports franchise anchored by 2021 Coach of the Year Monty Williams, 2021 Executive of the Year general manager James Jones and a roster featuring future Hall of Famer Chris Paul and All-Star Devin Booker. The three-time WNBA Champion Phoenix Mercury are celebrating its 25th season led by Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner and Skylar Diggins-Smith. Footprint Center in the heart of downtown Phoenix, recently underwent a $245 million transformation, making it the preeminent destination for sports and entertainment in the southwest and a living laboratory for sustainability.

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Media Contact

Ivana Morales, Evolve PR and Marketing, +1 9738644523, [email protected]

SOURCE HeroZona