Cleveland’s big three sports teams are joining forces for a social justice initiative that aims to break down some major barriers in Northeast Ohio.
The call to action is being led by Cavs general manager Koby Altman, Cavs head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, Browns GM Andrew Berry, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski, Indians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti, Tribe GM Mike Chernoff and Tribe manager Terry Francona.
The group hopes to “develop a sustainable and direct strategy to address social injustice facing the city of Cleveland and all Northeast Ohio communities,” the teams said in a news release on Thursday, Aug. 27.
Leaders from the three clubs will “focus on improving the relationship between law enforcement and its citizens, encouraging nonpartisan voting activities and increasing the opportunities for quality education for everyone,” the statement said.
The group will coordinate activities that encourage a call to action and are designed to produce positive outcomes. Players from the three clubs also will have a chance to get involved.
“We have an extraordinary opportunity to make a lasting impact on society, and the Cavaliers are committed to help bring about change,” Altman said in the teams’ statement. “The social and economic disparity in our community reveals some ugly truths, and Coach Bickerstaff and I are honored to be at the table to address these issues with such a prominent group of our peers. We never take for granted our place in the fabric of Cleveland, and hopefully our coming together inspires others to join us.”
The initial work will concentrate on voting, voter education and nonpartisan voter registration. The group said it also will work with community and civic leaders, as well as minority organizations, on issues that impact the individuals they represent.
“We understand the platform our organization has to make a positive impact on these important issues,” said Berry, one of two Black general managers in the NFL and the youngest GM in league history. “When Coach Stefanski and I began discussing how we might be able to elevate and broaden that impact by expanding the dialogue to our counterparts in Cleveland, it quickly became apparent that partnering with the other teams in our city would help our region come together so we can collectively address the problems that we’ve all been working to help solve independently.”
The initiative was announced on the morning after the NBA postponed three playoff games, a move that was sparked by the Milwaukee Bucks’ protest of the shooting of Jacob Blake by police in Kenosha, Wis., on Aug. 23. Blake was shot seven times as he attempted to enter his vehicle, which had three of his children inside.
Players in the NBA’s bubble at Walt Disney World had a meeting Wednesday night in which they reportedly discussed whether they should continue with the playoffs. LeBron James, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, told his colleagues that he wanted the league’s owners to be more involved and take action.
The Browns, Cavs and Indians have been very outspoken on social justice issues since George Floyd was killed by ex-Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin on May 25.
The Cavs, with two African Americans (Altman and Bickerstaff) in leadership positions, have said everyone should respond “with a sense or urgency.” The organization has an inclusion, diversity, engagement, awareness and leadership (IDEAL) team that meets regularly and whose ideas are brought to senior leaders.
The Browns have a social justice committee that also meets regularly and solicits suggestions from players on particular areas of focus. The group then submits its findings to ownership.
In June, a Berry-led #BeTheSolution campaign raised almost $200,000 for 14 charities.
Following Floyd’s death, the Indians acknowledged their “long, yet imperfect history” of uniting and inspiring, and said they were committed to making a difference. The organization was part of an MLB effort that raised more than $1.1 million for several organizations that promote equality and social justice.
“We recognize the profound impact that professional sports have on the greater Cleveland community, and the enormous responsibility that comes with such a platform,” Antonetti said Thursday. “While the circumstances that highlighted the need for this partnership are disheartening, Tito, Mike and I are excited by the opportunity to work with such a thoughtful and diverse group of leaders to identify opportunities to be a positive force for change. There is a lot of work to do, and we believe that this partnership will serve to amplify our collective impact.”
Credit: Source link
