Actor Michael B. Jordan announced this week that he is launching a basketball tournament that will aim to exclusively highlight Black athletes.
The Hoop Dreams Classic 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, which was reported by HBCU Sports. “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 will also feature famed HBCU bands, musical performances and other acts to showcase Black culture.
The inaugural event will only feature men’s programs, but future events may alternate between men’s and women’s programs.
“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.”
