It started with Makur Maker, a five-star basketball talent, committing to Howard. Then it continued with Deion Sanders reshaping the landscape of the Jackson State football program as head coach.
Now the ‘Sexist Man Alive‘ wants to fulfill hoop dreams through historically black colleges.
In an effort to support and give opportunities to HBCU athletes, actor Michael B. Jordan announced Wednesday that he is launching the Hoop Dreams Classic.
The college basketball showcase will feature Division I HBCU programs on Dec. 18, 2021 in Newark, New Jersey.
“This past year has been the tipping point for so many, including myself, in revving up support for Black people,” Jordan said in a statement. “As a Newark native, I am committed to bringing change to the community and am honored to be able to present The Hoop Dreams Classic as a way to celebrate the value of community, education, and Black college experiences. Through our shared love of basketball, I look forward to bringing the communal spirit of HBCUs to the city that helped shape me into the man I am today.”
The event is also scheduled to feature famed HBCU bands, musical performances and other items to showcase Black culture.
The inaugural event will feature just men’s programs, while future events will possibly alternate between men’s and women’s programs or include both.
“After seeing firsthand the lack of resources and information available to basketball players, I was determined to make Hoop Dreams the vehicle that could provide the tools these kids need to be successful in life beyond the game,” Hoop Dreams CEO Jessica Estrada said in a news release. “Michael and I share similar foundations and visions for our communities which is why I am thrilled to partner with him.”
