The Devils
put out a press release this morning that mentions that Harris Blitzer Sports &
Entertainment (HBSE) will be helping to fight systemic racism and champion equality
by committing $20 million towards the cause.
The company,
which owns the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers in addition to the Devils, will be “pledging
$10 million over the next five years to drive action and invest in the cities
where [their] teams live, work, play and perform.”
Of the $20
million total committed dollars, $10 million will be a contribution from the Sixers
“to the NBA’s newly-announced foundation to drive economic empowerment in Black
communities.”
Josh Harris,
HBSE Founder said: “As leaders and stewards of community pillars, the eyes of the
world are on us to do better, and they should be. While we will never be able
to correct the past harm and injustice faced by Black Americans, it’s our duty
to provide resources that enable tangible action and greater opportunities for
equality. We are committing to a fundamental change in our business strategy by
embedding our organization with Black communities and businesses through
significant and sustained investment and support. We are deeply committed to
fighting for a better, more inclusive future and we pledge to be leaders in
doing so.”
David
Blitzer, HBSE Co-Founder added, “It is crucial for us to take action in
fighting against systemic racism and social injustices, which have persisted
for far too long. Moving forward, we are making a continued commitment to
racial equality as a key focus of our business, advancing institutional and
situational change where we live, work, and play. We cannot and will not
tolerate racism, injustice or hate, and take responsibility to be a part of the
solution for the future of our industry, the cities we serve, and our country
as a whole.”
There are
key ways that HBSE will be trying to enact this change. Firstly, they will be
investing in Black communities, by trying to revitalize the neighborhoods where
their teams, as well as fans of those teams, are located. They will be doing
this “through partnerships with Black developers, local community groups and
officials.”
Secondly,
they will use their HBSE Real Estate Community Advancement Program to “advance equitable,
community-driven revitalization through significant investments” which include,
among other things, a minimum donation of $2.5 million “to organizations and
efforts that improve resident quality of life and further equitable development
in Black communities (e.g., employment programs, home-buying assistance for
long-time residents, public space improvements, youth programming).”
There will
also be “consistent capital commitments into real estate projects that advance
community priorities in Black neighborhoods, such as affordable housing, health
centers, commercial corridor improvements, among others.”
Thirdly,
they will be “supporting Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs.” HBSE will
keep to their entrepreneurial spirit by implementing “new initiatives to
support Black-owned businesses with competitive opportunities and marketing resources.”
Through NBSE’s
new Buy Black Partnership Program, the Sixers and Devils “will contribute more
than $5 million in marketing assets to Black-owned businesses.”
Next,
through their new Diversity Procurement Program, HBSE will “increase
expenditure with Black-owned businesses.” This includes a partnership with
organizations like the African American Chamber of Commerce of Pennsylvania,
New Jersey and Delaware.
HBSE will
also be promoting education, health and employment by committing $2.5 million
through the Sixers Youth Foundation and Devils Care Foundation to continuing to
use their Corporate Responsibility “to support positive education, health, and
employment outcomes in Black communities. This commitment builds upon efforts
made by HBSE to promote racial equality in Newark, Camden, and Philadelphia.” The
Sixers have a practice facility in Camden, New Jersey.
The 76ers will
“pledge to provide free internet access to more than 1,000 School District of Philadelphia
families.”
As for the Devils,
recent donations were made to the Newark Boys & Girls Club and the Urban League
of Essex County. These were inspired by PK Subban’s donation of $50,000 to the
GoFundMe campaign to help Gionna Floyd, six-year-old daughter of the murdered
George Floyd. The NHL matched the donation made by Subban.
HBSE will
also be amplifying a workplace of respect, inclusion and diversity. They will
be supporting “Black and minority executives entering and ascending in the
sports and entertainment industry and fostering a diverse and inclusive
workplace through recruitment, dynamic partnerships, and programs that provide
support and enrichment opportunities for all employees and athletes.”
This end,
HBSE will be hiring “a Chief Diversity and Impact Officer to lead internal and
external diversity and inclusion programs and initiatives across the organization.”
They will also “strengthen HBSE’s Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Board and
new Black Employee Resource Group with support groups, workshops and a speaker
series to foster continued race-based education, empathy, and mindfulness within
our organizational culture.”
They will
also “focus on new recruitment, retention and career advancement programs to
increase the representation of Black and minority employees across HBSE.”
Additionally,
the organization will “partner with Historically Black Colleges and
Universities to connect graduating college seniors with career pipelines and
exposure at HBSE.”
In my opinion,
this is great news and helps show that the Devils and Sixers’ ownership group
is trying to be proactive in helping to make change throughout their cities and
business through both monetary donations as well as education and hiring practices.
