Actor Michael B. Jordan is partnering with WME Sports, the Endeavor company, and others for the launch of the inaugural Historically Black College and University (HBCU) college basketball showcase.
The Hoop Dreams Classic will be held December 18, 2021 at the Prudential Center, which is home of the New Jersey Devils. The event will be a four-team, two-game showcase in both men’s and women’s college basketball featuring HBCU teams.
Jordan said in a release that, the Black Lives Matter movement over the summer motivated him to feature HBCU athletes in his home state.
“This past year has been the tipping point for so many, including myself, in revving up support for Black people,” said Jordan in the release. “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 Hoop Dream Classic will be a one-day event featuring one men’s and one women’s basketball game. The teams have not been selected yet, but the event will also include an immersive cultural experience, highlighting other exciting elements of HBCU life. The event will include culinary events, college and career opportunities, and a view into the HBCU Battle of the Bands competition.
A part of the proceeds from the event will support organizations focused on advancing HBCUs and the Newark community. 160over90, a marketing company owned by Endeavor, will be responsible for the designing and branding of the Hoop Dreams Classic.
HBCUs have been in the news throughout the year for receiving a bevy of financial contributions as the coronavirus pandemic threatens the future of small colleges in the U.S.