Jazz Players Celebrate Black Experience, Black History Month
Feb 1, 2023, 3:05 PM | Updated: 3:06 pm
Mike Conley #11 and Collin Sexton #2 of the Utah Jazz celebrate a play against the Denver Nuggets at Vivint Arena on October 19, 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
(Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz kicked off Black History Month with social media posts from team ownership, and a sit-down conversation featuring several players on the roster.
Mike Conley, Collin Sexton, Ochai Agbaji, and Rudy Gay joined host Nayo Campbell to discuss their experience as Black Americans.
In the discussion, the players discuss their individual upbringings, food, and culture to celebrate the month.
Jazz Celebrate Black History, Release Black Book
The Jazz opened the month by celebrating Black History on social media with a series of posts from the team and ownership group.
Dwyane Wade, who owns a minority share in the team shared a tweet early Wednesday to open the month.
“There is no history without Black History,” Wade tweeted.
There is no history without Black History.
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) February 1, 2023
In addition to the social media posts, the Jazz organization has compiled a list of Black-owned businesses to generate support for Black entrepreneurs in the state.
The Black Book can be downloaded through the Utah Jazz app and includes an offer for fans to receive a free t-shirt for visiting five separate Black-owned businesses from the book.
Conley, Sexton, Agbaji, and Gay Discuss Black Experience
In an effort to expose NBA fans to the varied cultures of players on the Jazz, Mike Conley, Collin Sexton, Ochai Agbaji, and Rudy Gay sat down with Nayo Campbell to discuss their different experiences growing up before becoming professional athletes.
The Jazz players discuss their favorite Black role models, their first exposure to mental health, their upbringing, food preferences, and their ideal legacies.
“The right people have to speak up.”
Watch the full conversation on YouTube 🎥 https://t.co/C3dtswpK1X#BlackExperienceMonth | #BHM2023 pic.twitter.com/ZfmrkfCsVM
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 1, 2023
The conversation lasts 17 minutes and can be viewed on the official Utah Jazz YouTube page.
Last season the Jazz released a 10-minute short film titled “Sunday Dinner” highlighting the relationship between a Black father and son.
Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10-12p with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops or on Instagram @BensHoops.
