Since 1926, the Harlem Globetrotters have used basketball to spread goodwill worldwide. The Globetrotters' commitment to enriching communities is grounded in their deep-rooted desire to inspire the possibilities of greatness in all of us. August 2023 marked the official launch of the “Harlem Globetrotters Goodwill Ambassador Initiative” which further cemented our brand's almost 100-year legacy of spreading goodwill around the globe.
The Goodwill Ambassador Initiative is a powerful corporate social responsibility arm to do good, build healthy communities & drive change.
Just as it takes the power of team to win the game, the Harlem Globetrotters aim to partner with nonprofit and for profit organizations who are equally as passionate about spreading goodwill and driving change. The Goodwill Ambassador Initiative is powered by global grassroots activities, partnerships with leading for-profit and nonprofit organizations, on-the ground events, activations and other support that centers around driving change and/or impact in 3 strategic areas:
Health & Wellness
Education
Community Empowerment
Microsoft has joined forces with the Harlem Globetrotters to launch a transformative collaboration to advance education and community empowerment within Black and African-American communities. This strategic partnership will introduce basketball-themed programming infused with cutting-edge technology, including AI skilling, serving as an engaging curriculum tool. The initiative seeks to bridge educational gaps and promote growth by developing an interactive game and micro-site hosting a curriculum inspired by the Harlem Globetrotters' legacy. This alliance will also connect non-profit organizations with the curriculum while celebrating achievements through educational challenges and events.
The National Archives hosted a special Family Day with the Harlem Globetrotters. The event was in conjunction with the National Archives exhibit All American: The Power of Sports. With its nearly 100-year storied history, the Globetrotters embody the power that sports has on breaking barriers, bringing people together, instilling pride and hope. As part of the family event, Globetrotter players discussed the history of the brand, showcased their unique basketball skill and spoke on the importance of civic engagement.
The Harlem Globetrotters are partnering with Red Nose Day, Comic Relief US, to help raise awareness and funds for RND for the second year, as part of the Globetrotter’s Goodwill Ambassador Initiative.
In 2024, we will expand this partnership to include 44 Domestic Games during the month of April for the Harlem Globetrotter Halftime Skills Showcase, along with additional content collaborations and opportunistic event & talent appearances and promotions outlined below.
During the Halftime Skills Showcase games, the Globetrotters will bring the power of Red Nose Day fun and entertainment to thousands of fans, helping raise funds by inviting those in attendance to make a donation to support the RND campaign. In addition, hundreds of Red Noses will be handed out to audience members to raise awareness and support the campaign’s mission of people coming together to have fun, raise money and transform the lives of children living in underserved communities.
Red Nose Day special campaign raises life-changing funds to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty and give all kids the opportunity to thrive and have a healthy future. In 2023, Millions of people around the country helped drive this powerful movement, including those attending 25 Harlem Globetrotter games.
The Harlem Globetrotters joined other professional athletes for the US Sports Envoy in Malaysia. This program. Globetrotter players engaged youth for a weeklong program Sports in Enhancing and Promoting Authentic Diversity (SEPADU). The players led basketball clinics, skill demonstrations and speaking engagements in Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu. They spoke with youth associations and media to demonstrate how sports can be a positive outlet for potential at-risk youth.
The Harlem Globetrotters and Harlem Globetrotters World Tour presenting sponsor, Jersey Mike’s Subs, visited 5 US cities during the 2023 World Tour to honor local community members with the ‘Great Assist’®️ Award. The series, in its inaugural year, celebrates youth sports and organizations that actively pursue the possibilities of greatness by exemplifying LEADERSHIP, SPORTSMANSHIP and COMMITMENT in their community.
