Minnesota News Network

  • Home
  • MNN Reporter Team
  • News
    • Politics & Government
    • Crime & Court
    • Health
    • Business
    • Entertainment
    • Weather & Natural Disaster
  • Sports
    • Gophers
    • Twins
    • Wild
    • Timberwolves & Lynx
    • Vikings
  • Minnesota Matters
  • Contact Us
    • Advertise with us
  • Affiliates
    • Affiliate Support
You are here: Home / Sports / Towns a finalist for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion Award

Towns a finalist for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion Award

May 16, 2022 By Minnesota News Network

The NBA announced Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns was named a finalist for the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion Award. The annual award honors a current NBA player for pursuing social justice and upholding the league’s values of equality, respect and inclusion.

“I am incredibly humbled to be named a Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion finalist,” said Towns. “Equity across all spheres – health, social and civic is central to me as a person and as a player in this league. I join inspiring company in my fellow finalists and will continue to be an active participant in the advancement of social justice.”

Towns has devoted his time, platform and resources to health equity and education since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This past season he became a prominent advocate for vaccine education following the loss of his mother, Jacqueline Towns. Towns worked with the NBA for the league’s vaccine PSA released in February, Cue Health to provide 100 COVID-19 testing kits to more than 50 schools in both New Jersey and Minnesota, and Walgreens on their Get a Shot, Give a Shot campaign to promote flu shots and help ensure access to anyone who wants one via a $5,000 donation.

Towns donated $20,000 to the George Floyd Memorial Foundation in partnership with JD Sports in July 2021 and attended rallies throughout the Minneapolis community. As part of his Celebrity Wheel of Fortune appearance, Towns selected Vera Institute of Justice as his beneficiary, making a $30,000 donation. Vera Institute of Justice works to end the overcriminalization and mass incarceration of people of color, immigrants and people experiencing poverty.

Additionally, in support of gender equity and access for women in sports, Towns made a donation to Kean University in New Jersey to support programming for their women student athletes highlighting empowerment and internships, naming the series in honor of his late mother. He continues to serve as a board member of the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition.

The NBA will make a $25,000 contribution to a non-profit community organization selected by each finalist. The winning player’s organization will receive $100,000. As a finalist, Towns has selected the George Floyd Memorial Foundation as the recipient of his donation.

Fred VanVleet (TOR), Jaren Jackson Jr. (MEM), Jrue Holiday (MIL), and Reggie Bullock (DAL) join Towns as this year’s five Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion finalists. The winner will be announced during the Western Conference Finals.

(info courtesy of Timberwolves and NBA)

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: Sports, T-Wolves / Lynx

compeer financial celebrates beef month

compeer financial celebrates beef month

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER

Minnesota News Network Follow 12,768 1,275

Long time legendary statewide network providing relevant award-winning news/sports/ag information & compelling audio content to 100+ radio stations in Minnesota

MinnesotaRadio
MinnesotaRadio avatar; Minnesota News Network @MinnesotaRadio ·
15 Sep 1702692643703070784

‘Minnesota Matters 9-15-23’ by Learfield News Ag is on #SoundCloud

Twitter feed video.
Reply on Twitter 1702692643703070784 Retweet on Twitter 1702692643703070784 0 Like on Twitter 1702692643703070784 1 Twitter 1702692643703070784
Retweet on Twitter Minnesota News Network Retweeted
TalkNorthPod avatar; Talk North @TalkNorthPod ·
13 Sep 1701928965232075185

The Go Gopher Podcast with Mike Grimm - Episode #87

With @dragan_serb8, who booted the game-winning kick to open the season!

BTYB:

@sunbeltmidwest
From Aquarius Home Services Studio
True North M&A
@InsureChamplin
@Affinity_Plus
@HeadFlyerBrew
@cubfoods

Reply on Twitter 1701928965232075185 Retweet on Twitter 1701928965232075185 2 Like on Twitter 1701928965232075185 3 Twitter 1701928965232075185
MinnesotaRadio avatar; Minnesota News Network @MinnesotaRadio ·
8 Sep 1700150244091019334

‘Minnesota Matters 9-8-23’ by Learfield News Ag is on #SoundCloud

Twitter feed video.
Reply on Twitter 1700150244091019334 Retweet on Twitter 1700150244091019334 0 Like on Twitter 1700150244091019334 3 Twitter 1700150244091019334
MinnesotaRadio avatar; Minnesota News Network @MinnesotaRadio ·
7 Sep 1699706755935072527

Canterbury Park has big day on Saturday

Image for twitter card

Canterbury Park has big day on Saturday - Minnesota News Network

Canterbury Park will celebrate the Minnesota breeding and horse racing industry on Saturday, Sept. 9 with the 30th ...

minnesotanewsnetwork.com

Reply on Twitter 1699706755935072527 Retweet on Twitter 1699706755935072527 2 Like on Twitter 1699706755935072527 6 Twitter 1699706755935072527
Load More

Vikes trade for RB Akers

(Eagan, MN) — The Minnesota Vikings announce the team has traded a conditional sixth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft in exchange for RB Cam Akers and a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The completion of this trade is pending Akers passing a physical. Akers, who is in his fourth season, joins […]

Twins place Correa on Injured List

The Minnesota Twins announced today that they have placed shortstop Carlos Correa on the 10-day Injured List with left foot plantar fasciitis (retroactive to September 19). Correa has played in a team-leading 135 games this season, hitting .230 (118-for-514) with 29 doubles, two triples, 18 home runs, 65 RBI, 60 runs scored, 59 walks, a […]

Gopher men’s basketball schedule released

The 2023-24 University of Minnesota men’s basketball schedule highlights 21 home games and 20 Big Ten contests during the 2023-24 season, announced today by the Big Ten office. Start times and network designations for all conference and nonconference games will be announced during the week of Sept. 25-29. The 129th season of Golden Gopher men’s […]

Follow us on Facebook

Follow us on Facebook

Copyright © 2023 · Learfield News & Ag, LLC