Fulton County and City of Atlanta Parks and Recreation Departments Partner with the Atlanta Hawks to Bring the 2016 Jr. Hawks MLK Classic Presented by Georgia Power to Area Youth

The Jr. Hawks MLK Classic is part of the Hawks’ True Comes in All Colors: Celebrating Black History events and recognizes young basketball players for their academic and athletic success 

On Sunday, January 17, and Monday, January 18, 2016, nearly 100 student-athletes from Fulton County and City of Atlanta Parks and Recreation leagues will participate in the

Jr. Hawks MLK Classic basketball exhibition and tour the Center for Civil and Human Rights.

The youth, 5^th through 8^th graders,  were selected to participate in this two-day celebration of Black History based on their academic accomplishments, community involvement and their performance on the basketball court.

Events begin Sunday with Hawks Players Mike Muscala and Justin Holiday leading the group on a tour of the Center for Civil and Human Rights in downtown Atlanta.  The following day,

Hawks Alumni will coach the games at Adamsville Recreation Center for both girls and boys. Participants will receive customized Jr. Hawks jerseys, shorts and bags.  Additionally, each

student will receive tickets to the Atlanta Hawks game on Monday at 5 p.m. when the Hawks take on the Orlando Magic.

True Comes In All Colors is the Atlanta Hawks diversity and inclusion campaign that spotlights the cultural contributions of various ethnicities throughout the city. 

“The Atlanta Hawks are thrilled to be reprising our partnership with Fulton County and the City of Atlanta for this annual MLK game.  The addition of Georgia Power as presenting

sponsor makes it even more exciting.  The collaboration is a testament to our commitment to help foster the leaders of tomorrow on and off the court,” said David Lee, Senior Vice President

of Hawks External Affairs & Executive Director of the Atlanta Hawks Foundation.  “Dr. King’s legacy lives in all Jr. Hawks scholar-athletes, and providing these types of unique opportunities serves to broaden their horizons and make them better world citizens."

Georgia Power agrees these types of  partnerships are needed to strengthen communities for the success of our children.

"The legacy of Dr. King resonates every day in Atlanta and we're proud to support the local students selected for the MLK Classic in collaboration with the Hawks, Fulton County and the

City of Atlanta," said Pedro Cherry, Metro Atlanta senior vice president for Georgia Power." At Georgia Power, strengthening our local communities through education-related efforts such

as this tournament is part of our commitment to being a citizen wherever we serve."

Tony Phillips, the Director of Fulton County Parks and Recreation said, “ The partnership between the Atlanta Hawks and Fulton County Parks and Recreation has provided this unique opportunity for youth in our community to have an inspiring experience during the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday weekend, learn about civil rights and their history, and participate in the sport they love. We look forward to future opportunities this invaluable partnership will provide.     

The All-Stars schedule of events is listed below:

Sunday, January 17

11:00 a.m.       Center for Civil and Human Rights Tour

12:00 p.m.       Luncheon

12:30 p.m.       Speak Up, Speak Out Workshop

Monday, January 18

9:00 a.m.         5^th & 6^th grade girls all-star game

10:15 a.m.       5^th & 6^th grade boys all-star game

11:30 a.m.       7^th & 8^th grade girls all-star game

12:45 p.m.       7^th & 8^th grade boys all-star game

Fulton County Parks and Recreation formed a working partnership with the Atlanta Hawks through a memorandum of understanding approved by the Fulton County Board of

Commissioners in 2015. This partnership has proved to be invaluable for the youth of South Fulton as well as the community at large. 

For additional information about the event contact Fulton County Parks and Recreation at (404) 612- PARK (7275) or visit us a www.fultoncountyga.gov or visit the hawks at www.hawks.com. Follow Fulton County on Twitter @FultonInfo and the Hawks @ATLHawks.