Brandon Jennings has made history. Now. Jennings’ move reminds us of Dolly King in ’41. He’s the #1 ranked high school basketball player who could have played in the N.B.A. if it weren’t for the league’s artificial age limit. He’s the Dominguez High School and Oak Hill Academy product from Compton, Ca., who could have… Read more »
Jennings Makes History Now
The very first indoor tennis match involving African Americans took place at a tennis-basketball doubleheader in Harlem in 1914.
Did your 2008 N.B.A. Draft predictions come true? One kid you’ll definitely hear about next year is already making news today. He may become the first player to go directly from high school in America to the pros in Europe. His name is Brandon Jennings: httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJpqtynQOAM You may have seen Bill Rhoden’s column about Jennings… Read more »
Speaking of Schoolhouse Rock, from the other day, remember this ad? httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvqwsiVn3W0 The original version: httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11N-BD1aBo0 The past and the present and the future …
Isn’t it great how the Celtics, Lakers, and Pistons are back?
Was their ever a time when black folks came from actual neighborhoods, before it was collectively called the ‘hood? Maybe so. Introducing the Neighborhood A. C. of New York City, perhaps the first organization to represent, well, the ‘hood. The Neighborhood Athletic Club of New York City, circa 1912. Somebody help me out, is that… Read more »
In 1904, Edwin B. Henderson attended Harvard University’s Summer School of Arts and Sciences to learn the game of basketball. The rest is history.
Today is the anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill, on June 17, 1775. Today is N.B.A. Finals Game 6, in Boston, on June 17, 2008. Bunker Hill in Charlestown overlooks Boston Garden. Coincidence? I think not. You remember the Battle of Bunker Hill from history class? It was the first time the Patriots built… Read more »
I’ve always wanted a seersucker suit ever since Dad gave me my grandfather’s seersucker when I graduated from college.
When Kevin Garnett was traded to the Celtics, this became my favorite jersey: (Click above for larger image.) (Click above for larger image.) (Click above for larger image.) (Click above for larger image.) (Click above for larger image.) (Click above for larger image.) (Click above for larger image.) (Click above for larger image.) While throwbacks… Read more »
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Black Fives
We inspire excellence in youth and communities by preserving, teaching, and honoring the pre-NBA history of African Americans in basketball.
For years, we have been building something truly remarkable.![]()
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Something deeper than what’s visible on the surface.![]()
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This piece, created by the Gee’s Bend Quilters Collective from remnants of our Black Fives throwback jerseys, carries that idea.![]()
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On the front, you see something beautiful.![]()
On the back, you see the work.![]()
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Tens of thousands of stitches.![]()
Each one holding the whole together.![]()
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Like the earlier African American basketball pioneers whose names were forgotten, but whose work helped shape the game.![]()
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Like the countless people, often unseen, who did and are doing the work that holds our country together.![]()
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The surface only exists because of what’s behind it.![]()
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And it’s only as strong as the weakest stitch.![]()
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Do we really want to remove certain stitches?![]()
Are we OK with pieces falling apart?![]()
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Do we value the work we don’t see?![]()
Do we recognize it?![]()
Do we protect it?![]()
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That’s the real story.![]()
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A cultural archive. A sports heritage platform.![]()
Build with us.![]()
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Make History Now.![]()
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#culturalheritage ![]()
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#blackhistory
For years, we have been building something truly remarkable.![]()
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A deep archive of early African American basketball.![]()
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The stories, the images, the history that shaped the game.![]()
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But this is more than an archive.![]()
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It’s a cultural IP and sports heritage platform.![]()
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Infrastructure of history, identity, and assets ready to build with.![]()
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For partners, institutions, and brands who want real cultural authenticity, not just performative optics.![]()
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Build with us.![]()
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blackfives.org/build![]()
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#blackhistory #culturalheritage #brandpartnerships #archives #intellectualproperty