The HBCU All-Star Game weekend brings the top men’s basketball players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities to showcase their talent.
But organizers of the event packed weekend want it to be about more than just the game. Leading up to the game the schedule included a Black business marketplace, an HBCU college fair, and athletes volunteered in the community.
At a social justice panel Saturday, national and local leaders in the Black community spoke to attendees, including student-athletes competing in the All-Star Game.
HBCU All-Stars founder Travis L. Williams said sports bring people together through inclusiveness.
“It’s an opportunity for us to come together, collaborate, bring our thoughts in mind and thought leaders together, and celebrate with us winning on and off the court around the community,” he said.
The luncheon fell on the 58th anniversary of when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. Williams founded the HBCU All-Stars game in Atlanta — where Dr. King was born. He said his event was possible due to the sacrifices Dr. King made.
“That’s why this is important work, and what we do as well as, so it’s an opportunity and a mission that I don’t take for granted.”
At both the panel and luncheon, speakers said Black students-athletes make a difference.
“Every time you go out on that court, you are representing, what Black excellence, that’s right, something people want to deny exist, but you are there to say, ‘This is it. I’m part of it. I’m doing my thing,” said Barbara R. Arnwine, president and founder of the Transformative Justice Coalition.
She said that transforms systems and communities.
Sean Johnson is the founder of the GROWTH project. The organization works with local youth to foster civic engagement. He said hosting the 5th annual HBCU All-Star Game in Indianapolis is exciting.
“Indianapolis is the home of Black Heritage here in Indiana, and we’re proud of it,” Johnson said, “We’re proud of who we are. We’re proud of what we do. We’re proud of the way we carry ourselves, because we are uniquely Black.”
Indiana does not have an HBCU school. Martin University closed its doors last year after dealing with financial issues. Johnson said having HBCU schools from across the country in Indianapolis this weekend gives Black students a chance to see and learn about educational institutions dedicated to them.
“The significance of this is restoring what we feel we’ve lost in the closing of this great university,” Johson said. “I myself was getting ready to launch back in the school, and I really couldn't, because of what’s going on. So it’s a huge barrier. But with moments like this, it allows us all to dream and think, ‘What can we do?’”
Twenty-four athletes were selected to compete in the HBCU All-Star Game Sunday, April 4, at the Indiana State Fairground Corteva Coliseum.
Contact WFYI All Things Considered newscaster and reporter Samantha Horton at shorton@wfyi.org or on Signal at SamHorton.05
