September 28, 2024
On Saturday, September 28, 2024, local Atlanta-area children and their families, many from M. Agnes Jones Elementary School, participated in a dynamic play event at the YMCA Youth and Teen Development Center in Atlanta, which included interactive activities, a mini basketball skills clinic, and nutrition education with Cherelle TORCH George and Alex MOOSE Weekes of The Harlem Globetrotters™, KABOOM! CEO Lysa Ratliff, Congresswoman Nikema Williams, USDA Deputy Undersecretary Meryl Harrell, National Park Trust CEO Grace Lee, CEO of YMCA Metro Atlanta Lauren Koontz, and Dr. Karen Hacker from the CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion to amplify the power of play and nutrition as effective strategies to building strong, healthy communities across the nation as a part of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention Foundation’s National Challenge to End Hunger and Build Healthy Communities.
“KABOOM! builds wonderful playgrounds across the country, but they can’t do it alone, and that’s why we have so many partners here today,” said Congresswoman Nikema Williams. “I’m looking forward to attending more events like this as we continue to keep our community safe, healthy, and moving. You have my commitment to be there with parents and the community every step of the way.”
“Our work has shown us that to truly nurture and develop our kids, we must come together with partners to address their social, emotional, and physical well-being,” said Lysa Ratliff, CEO of KABOOM!. “Play is vital to their development and gives kids the freedom to embrace the joys of childhood. Physical activity through play and good nutrition are critically important to ensure our kids have what they need to grow up happy and healthy and can reach their full potential.”
The Harlem Globetrotters and KABOOM! are both partners in The CDC Foundation’s National Challenge to End Hunger and Build Healthy Communities, which was a call to action to show how important it is to demonstrate the value and connection between nutrition and play in creating strong, healthy, happy kids and communities. The CDC Foundation is the nonprofit that helps the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) save and improve lives throughout the world.
“For almost 100 years the Harlem Globetrotters have used the power of the brand to bring a positive impact to kids and families around the globe,” said Keith Dawkins, President, Harlem Globetrotters & Herschend Entertainment Studios. “It’s through that lens that our Goodwill Ambassador Initiative, and its strategic pillars of education, health and wellness, and community empowerment, are thrilled to partner with people, and organizations, that are working to improve the lives of our audience.”
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About The World-Famous Harlem Globetrotters™ / Herschend Entertainment Studios
The Harlem Globetrotters™ are THE originators of basketball style; captured by their dynamic athleticism, unique skill and historical influence on the modern game of basketball. Since 1926, the Globetrotters, proud members of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, have used their legendary global tour to showcase their iconic brand of basketball to tens of millions in over 124 countries and territories across six continents.
They have expanded the brand by coming back to network television for the first time in 40 years with their Emmy nominated NBC series “Harlem Globetrotters: Play it Forward” which also airs on Telemundo as “Harlem Globetrotters: Ganando Con La Comunidad.” Content partners include Hidden Pictures, Atmosphere TV, and Hearts Media Production Group; consumer partnerships include, Sprayground, Undercrwn, Macys, Hybrid; and additional partnerships include our official tour partner Jersey Mikes, official ball partner, Spalding, Viral Nation, Hoopculture, and Citi.
Coined by the U.S. State Department in 1951 as Ambassadors of Goodwill, the team leverages their moniker to drive its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts around their strategic pillars of Health & Wellness, Education, and Community Empowerment. These efforts have yielded partnership with the likes of Microsoft, U.S. State Department Sports Diplomacy, The National Archives, ‘Great Assist’ in partnership with Jersey Mike’s Subs, Campus Multimedia Court of Creativity, and Comic Relief Red Nose Day.
For more information about the Harlem Globetrotters™ and the Tour, visit the Globetrotters' official website: www.harlemglobetrotters.com. The Harlem Globetrotters™ is a subsidiary of Herschend, the largest family-owned themed attractions company.
About KABOOM!
KABOOM! is the national nonprofit committed to ending playspace inequity – the reality that quality places to play are not available to every child, especially in communities of color. Since 1996, KABOOM! has partnered with kids and communities to build or improve 17,000+ playspaces and ensure that nearly 12 million kids have equitable access to the crucial benefits and opportunities that playspaces offer. In 2022, KABOOM! launched the 25 in 5 Initiative to End Playspace Inequity to accelerate its mission in 25 high-priority locations over five years. Learn more at kaboom.org or join the conversation on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
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