🏀 Hoops and History

There were plenty of things to watch on MLK Day, and I’m glad the Coretta Scott King Classic was one of them. The Martin Luther King Jr. Estate launched the Coretta Scott King Classic, a women's basketball tournament that debuted on Martin Luther King Jr. Day at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ.

While often referenced in relation to her marriage to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Coretta Scott King was a formidable civil rights leader, activist, and author who carved her own significant path in American history. Before meeting Dr. King, she was already pursuing a career as a concert singer at the New England Conservatory of Music, where she combined her musical talents with activism.

After Dr. King's assassination in 1968, she emerged as a powerful voice in her own right, founding the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change and leading the campaign to make her husband's birthday a national holiday. Her advocacy extended beyond civil rights to include women's rights, LGBTQ+ equality, world peace, and economic justice.

Mrs. King's legacy includes her tireless work in preserving and advancing the civil rights movement's achievements. She fought against apartheid in South Africa, advocated for AIDS education, and spoke out against discrimination in all forms. Her autobiography, "My Life, My Love, My Legacy," published posthumously, details her journey as both a partner in the civil rights movement and an independent force for social change.

The Coretta Scott King Classic serves as a fitting tribute to her dedication to education, empowerment, and equality - values she championed throughout her life. By linking her name to women's collegiate athletics, the tournament celebrates her commitment to creating opportunities for future generations while recognizing her own pioneering role as a leader and advocate.

Women's basketball players have consistently demonstrated remarkable leadership in social justice movements. The WNBA, in particular, has emerged as a powerful force for change, with players using their platform to address systemic inequities and social injustice.

A defining moment came during the 2020 U.S. Senate race in Georgia when players from the Atlanta Dream took an unprecedented stand against team co-owner Kelly Loeffler, who was running for Senate. The players publicly endorsed her opponent, Raphael Warnock, wearing "Vote Warnock" T-shirts during warmups. This stance played a significant role in raising Warnock's profile and ultimately contributed to his historic victory.

During the summer of 2020, following the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery, WNBA players were at the forefront of protests and advocacy. The league dedicated its 2020 season to social justice, with players wearing jerseys featuring Breonna Taylor's name and "Say Her Name" messaging. Teams staged walkouts, held moments of silence, and used media appearances to demand justice and systemic change.

The WNBA Players Association worked collectively to establish initiatives addressing racial inequality. The president of the WNBAPA, Nneka Ogwumike, is also the leader of More Than A Vote, a nonprofit founded by LeBron James. Many new fans had their “welcome to the league” moment last season, with a special thanks to Dijonai Carrington.

The inaugural classic features an impressive lineup of powerhouse programs in a doubleheader format: UCLA vs. Baylor and Texas vs. Maryland. UCLA was one of only two undefeated college women’s basketball teams heading into the classic. The games were broadcast nationally on FOX, giving well-earned visibility for both the tournament and its message. Congratulations to the ladies of UCLA and Texas! My only wish was to see them play in person because this looks unreal.

The Coretta Scott King Classic follows the successful model of HBCU classics, which have long used sporting events as platforms for community engagement, education, and institutional support. These events traditionally serve dual purposes: celebrating cultural heritage while creating opportunities for future generations.

Like traditional HBCU classics, this event will incorporate educational programming, community outreach initiatives, and cultural celebrations alongside the athletic competition. The tournament organizers plan to host leadership workshops, panel discussions on civil rights and women's empowerment, and special presentations highlighting Mrs. King's legacy. These auxiliary events ensure that the Classic's impact extends beyond the basketball court, creating meaningful connections between past civil rights achievements and contemporary social justice efforts. The timing of the tournament on MLK Day provides a perfect opportunity for universities and women’s sports fans to expand their traditional day of service activities, creating meaningful connections between athletic events and community engagement initiatives.

The Last Word 🥂

Contrary to popular belief, the Civil Rights Movement did not start and end with Martin Luther King Jr. And the federal holiday celebrating his birthday, on which an unsettling event took place this week, is not the only day of the year we can embody and embrace his legacy. His impact is profound, and I am happy to see his estate expanding their family legacy in the present day. Their daughter Bernice King is a prolific voice online, and she has done incredible work in real life to ensure that her family’s legacy is told accurately and widely. The women’s sports movement is only just beginning.

Penned,

Angela 🤙🏾✨

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