Portland Trail Blazers to Celebrate Black History Past, Present, and Future Throughout February

The Portland Trail Blazers will celebrate Black history throughout the month of February with in-person events, community gatherings, educational opportunities for local youth, digital content and more as they showcase  individuals who are uplifting the Black community within the Pacific Northwest and beyond. To learn more about the entire month, visit Trailblazers.com/BHM 

"We’re so excited to kick off our Black History Month activities after many months of planning,” said Michelle Jalali, director of DEI, Portland Trail Blazers. “We’ll have events throughout the entire month, including two special game night celebrations, restaurant takeovers, business markets and more. Best of all, this year we’re doing HBCU to the Pros Night bigger and better than ever thanks to some help from our friends at Alaska Airlines as we fly in the incredible Prairie View A&M Marching Storm Band to give Rip City a small taste of the incredible HBCU experience. Don’t miss any of the amazing moments all month long.”  

HBCU TO THE PROS WEEKEND

Members of the famous Prairie View A&M (Prairie View, Texas) Marching Storm Band, led by Director of Bands Dr. Timmey Zachery, will fly to Portland, courtesy of Alaska Airlines, for a weekend of community interaction, celebration and education. On Saturday, Feb. 24 ,the band will perform at Junction Ave – a Black business event hosted by Self Enhancement Inc. which will feature representatives from Alaska, the Trail Blazers, HBCU’s and local Black-owned businesses. On Sunday, Feb. 25, both organizations will put on a pregame mixer featuring a career panel made up of current professionals who are HBCU alumni and members of fraternities and sororities of the Divine 9. As a final celebration of the weekend and HBCU culture, the Marching Storm will provide Rip City an incredible halftime performance during the February 25 game versus Charlotte. 

CELEBRATION OF BLACK HISTORY NIGHT  

On February 10, the Trail Blazers will host their annual Celebration of Black History, presented, when the team takes on the New Orleans Pelicans. The night will feature special performances from local Black artists, concourse activations and displays, engagement with community, support for local nonprofits, and more. Portland Opportunities Industrialization Center and Rosemary Anderson High School (POIC + RAHS) has been selected as the Community Partner of the night and will directly benefit from the night’s fundraising efforts. Fans can purchase a keepsake from the night with the special retail item of the night from local Black business owner, Bleached by Josh.  

RESTAURANT TAKEOVERS 

Rip City can join the Trail Blazers in supporting a pair of the many amazing Black-owned restaurants throughout Portland during the organization’s two February restaurant takeovers. On February 3, join the organization at Po’Shines Cafe De La Soul (8139 N Denver Ave.) from noon – 2 p.m. Later in the month, the Blazers will head to Trap Kitchen (8 NW 6th Ave.) on February 17 from 4– 6  p.m. At each takeover, members of the organization will open a tab to cover the cost of select items for fans, provide giveaways and chances to win prizes. Additionally, a limited supply of special edition HBCU hoodies will be available for purchase at a pop-up retail shop at the Trap Kitchen takeover on the 17.  

To learn more about the entire month, visit Trailblazers.com/BHM