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G League Birmingham Squadron

Birmingham Squadron to Host Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at Legacy Arena

January 13, 2022 - NBA G League (G League)
Birmingham Squadron News Release


BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Birmingham Squadron, NBA G League affiliate of the New Orleans Pelicans, will be hosting a celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during their game against the Salt Lake City Stars at Legacy Arena on Sunday, January 16 at 2:00 p.m., just one day before the national holiday. All eyes will be on Birmingham, as the game will also be broadcasted nationally on NBA TV.

Themed "Living the Dream", the Squadron have partnered with the R.E.S.P.E.C.T Organization and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute to help put together an event to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the efforts of activists in Birmingham during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s.

The Squadron, in alignment with the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute's mission, looks to use the celebration as an opportunity to inspire change in the future by educating each generation about our common past. In order to help be a part of BCRI's mission, the Birmingham Squadron on behalf of Mrs. Gayle Benson, will be donating $10,000 along with a portion of the Sunday's ticket proceeds to the institute.

"It is a privilege to be able to be a part of furthering the mission of an organization like the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute," said Gayle Benson, Governor of the Saints, Pelicans and Squadron. "One of my main goals in bringing the Squadron to Birmingham was to connect the organization with the history and foundation of the community, and to make a difference. Obviously the Civil Rights Movement had such a large role in shaping this city, so my hope is that this contribution will help BCRI in its mission to educate and affect change in the community."

To commemorate the work of so many activists in Birmingham that changed history, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute will honor Bishop Calvin Wallace Woods on the court during the Squadron's game on Sunday. Woods participated in the March on Washington and co-founded the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights (ACMHR) along with his brother, Abraham Woods Jr. The ACMHR was a pivotal piece of the fight for human rights in Birmingham, and the group was responsible for inviting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Ralph Abernathy to Birmingham to help lead mass demonstrations in 1963 that brought global attention to racial discrimination in the south. The actions of these brave people in Birmingham ultimately led to the prohibition of racial discrimination in hiring practices and public services throughout America.

"It is with a spirit of appreciation that we join the Birmingham Squadron and the R.E.S.P.E.C.T Organization in honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. this Saturday," said DeJuana Thompson, President and CEO of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. "We are pleased for the chance to present the BCRI Legacy Award to Bishop Calvin Woods for the many decades of service that he has committed to Birmingham and The Civil Rights Movement. This gracious contribution from Mrs. Gayle Benson will not just foster our mission to preserve and tell the civil rights story. These funds will advance the presentation of a special exhibit opening this summer at The Institute, showcasing the crucial advocacy of athletes throughout the Movement."

Also part of the MLK Celebration on Sunday, American Idol star, Grammy Award nominee artist and Birmingham native, Ruben Studdard, will be singing the national anthem. The event will also include postgame performances by award-winning gospel vocalists Beverly Crawford and Michael Stampley.

"We hope Sunday's game is an inspiration to everyone who attends the event in Birmingham as well as everyone around the country who will be watching," said David Lane, Squadron General Manager of Business Operations. "We know how important this history is to the city and to the state of Alabama, and it's an honor to be a part of putting together this celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr."

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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