Brooklyn Nets to Honor Black History Month During All February Home Games
BROOKLYN – The Brooklyn Nets will celebrate Black History Month during all February games at Barclays Center by honoring the worldwide collection of communities that make up the African Diaspora. Each game will have a special focus and include fan activations, elevated game entertainment and more. The Black History Month games are part of the Nets Unite platform, an annual initiative which seeks to build unity, celebrate culture, and foster equity by amplifying the rich traditions of our diverse community.
The celebration tips off this Saturday, Feb. 4, when the Nets take on the Washington Wizards. James Hall and gospel choir Worship & Praise will perform both the national anthem and “Lift, Every Voice & Sing.” During halftime, the Hampton University Marching Force will perform with the Brooklyn Nets Beats drumline. Several members of the Hampton University Marching Force are Brooklyn-raised and graduates of the Nets Beats drumline.
On Monday, Feb. 6, the Nets will celebrate Caribbean culture and heritage by highlighting the impactful work being done by Caribbean pioneers today. Prior to tipoff, carnival dancers and stilt walkers from The West Indian American Day Carnival Association will entertain fans on the main concourse. Soca artist and Brooklyn native Mia Taylor will perform the national anthem and Jamaican singer HoodCelebrityy will perform during halftime. The first of the Nets’ Black History Month merchandise collaborations will also debut at the Feb. 6 game. The merchandise collection is designed by Visionary Society, a lifestyle brand founded by Diosdado Sima. With community at its center, Visionary Society is inspired by everyday society and Sima’s personal philosophy: “We all Can Relate.” Born in Equatorial Guinea, Sima created Visionary Society as an extension of himself and his life experiences. The collection will be available for purchase exclusively in Brooklyn Fanatics, the Nets’ team store at Barclays Center. Photos of the line can be downloaded here.
On Tuesday, Feb. 7, the team will honor African culture and its substantial history and cultural influence through food, music, and dance. Members of Wula Drum will perform at halftime with djembes, a rope-tuned goblet drum played with bare hands, originally from West Africa. In West Africa, the Djembe drum is used to bring people together for many purposes including to communicate, celebrate and motivate. Kente Cones, an African ice cream brand founded in Brooklyn, will have free samples for fans on the main concourse.
On Thursday, Feb. 9, the Nets will bring together students and alumni from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to celebrate the important role these institutions have played in shaping generations past, present and future. During the day, the Nets will host an HBCU fair and admissions panel with representatives from more than 20 HBCUs at Barclays Center for local high school students, and there will also be a pregame HBCU alumni networking event in the arena’s 40/40 Club. Students interested in attending the HBCU fair can learn more at HBCUnight.org. Kimani Jackson, Florida A&M alumnus and NY Liberty entertainment team member, will perform the national anthem, and halftime will feature a step performance from members of the Divine Nine, a group of historically Black fraternities and sororities. The second of the Nets’ Black History Month merchandise collections – a collaboration with HBCU Yearbook – will also debut at this game and be sold exclusively at Brooklyn Fanatics. HBCU Yearbook was founded by Florida A&M University alumna Caitlyn Davis. Photos of the line can be viewed/downloaded here.
On Saturday, Feb. 11, Black culture and the 50th anniversary of hip-hop will be celebrated. Throughout the night, fans will be able to view an interactive photo installation from the “Hip-Hop: Conscious, Unconscious” exhibition, which is on display now at Fotografiska New York. The night’s game ball delivery will be done by Wes Jackson, founder of the Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival and rapper Coi Leray will perform at halftime.
On Wednesday, Feb. 15, the Nets will pay tribute to people from Latin America and the Caribbean with African roots, continuing to celebrate the history of the African Diaspora. The night is presented by Modelo, and fans 21+ will receive a gift with purchase at concession locations throughout the arena, while supplies last. The sounds of Tabor y Caña, Afro-Venezuelan drummers, will greet fans as they arrive at Barclays Center and rapper, singer, and songwriter Melii will perform at halftime.
To close out Black History Month, the Nets will honor Black voices and their musical contributions to Broadway on Tuesday, Feb. 28, with a pop-up activation on the main concourse from the Museum of Broadway, showcasing the history and influence of theatre. Broadway performer and artist Darius Wright will perform the national anthem. A special dance routine by the Brooklynettes, Team Hype and Brooklyn Nets Kids will take place at halftime.
Additionally, as part of their Black History Month celebration, the Nets have partnered with RISE, a renowned organization whose mission is to create a nation unified through sports, to host an interactive display during select home games in February. Fans can visit the space on the main concourse to learn about key moments where sports and social justice intersect, as well as important Black figures in Nets’ and New York Liberty history.
Fans interested in attending any of the Black History Month games can purchase tickets online at brooklynnets.com. For more information about the United Games, visit netsunite.com.