WHO: Earvin “Magic” Johnson – Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer, Chairman and CEO of Magic Johnson Enterprises
Lori E. Lightfoot – Mayor of Chicago
Adam Silver – NBA Commissioner
Caron Butler – NBA Champion, Vera Institute of Justice Trustee & Turner Sports Analyst
WHAT: On Tuesday, June 16, the NBA Together Virtual Roundtable Series concludes with a conversation exploring racial inequality in our country, including the recent acts of police brutality and racialized violence, the disparate impacts of COVID-19 on communities of color and opportunities to drive long-term change. Participants include Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer and Chairman and CEO of Magic Johnson Enterprises Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Mayor of Chicago Lori E. Lightfoot, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and NBA Champion and Vera Institute of Justice board member Caron Butler, who will serve as moderator. The roundtable will reflect on the recent killings of unarmed Black Americans including George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery, discuss the role and voice of athletes, and the pre-existing racial, economic and health inequities exacerbating COVID’s impact on communities of color. Panelists will also discuss long-term opportunities to deepen our collective impact in areas of civic engagement, policing and criminal justice reform, and ways to confront systemic racism and expand access to financial investments.
After originally streaming Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET (1:00 a.m. CAT) on the official NBA Twitter account, the roundtable will air on NBA TV at 8:30 p.m. ET (2:30 a.m. CAT) on Thursday. NBA Together (https://on.nba.com/3d0WW08) Virtual Roundtables examine and discuss the disproportionate impact of the coronavirus on historically marginalized communities of color. Hosted by Butler, the series features special guests, including leading voices from the NBA and WNBA family, public health experts and social justice leaders. Previous discussions included:
- COVID and Communities of Color feat. Kyle Korver, Swin Cash and Marc Morial (https://bit.ly/3hvHn3T)
- COVID in the Correctional System feat. Bryan Stevenson, Lloyd Pierce and DeWanna Bonner (https://bit.ly/37HbQHW)
- Countering Anti-Asian Discrimination feat. Andrew Yang, Jeremy Lin and Vanita Gupta (https://bit.ly/2Ay8fzT)
- COVID and Black America feat. Valerie Jarrett, Marc Morial and Grant Hill (https://bit.ly/2UMxUM4)
- COVID and Young People of Color feat. Jaylen Brown, Cynt Marshall and Dr. Kensa Gunter (https://bit.ly/2Ax3syD)
- COVID and Health Equity feat. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Mitch Landrieu and Maurice Jones (https://bit.ly/2Y884UJ)
- COVID and the Latinx Community feat. Janet Murguía, JJ Barea and Paola Ramos (https://bit.ly/2N6CP5W)
As previously announced (https://bit.ly/37BCkdN), the NBA family is working with Magic Johnson (https://es.pn/3frH4Fu) and leading organizations like UnidosUS and the National Urban League to raise awareness around these disparities and promote health, economic and social equity. Using the league’s digital footprint, we amplify the work of leading organizations supporting Black, Hispanic, and other communities impacted by coronavirus through a series of public service messages, virtual content and community programs and partnerships.
WHERE: Official NBA Twitter Account – @NBA – and NBA TV
WHEN: Tuesday, June 16, 2020 at 7 p.m. ET (1:00 a.m. CAT) and Thursday, June 18, 2020 at 8:30 p.m. ET (2:30 a.m. CAT)
SOURCE
National Basketball Association (NBA)