LIVE STREAMED EVENT HOSTED BY RUSSELL WESTBROOK’S WHY NOT? FOUNDATION, THE ALLIANCE FOR BOYS AND MEN OF COLOR, POLICYLINK AND THE NBPA FOUNDATION

LOS ANGELES, Oct 14, 2020 — The inspiring leadership of youth standing up for racial justice in Los Angeles will be the focus of “Our Vote, Our Future,” a virtual forum hosted by Russell Westbrook’s Why Not? Foundation, The Alliance for Boys and Men of Color, PolicyLink and the National Basketball Players Association Foundation.

The forum will build excitement for how youth power is making a positive impact in Los Angeles, will feature presentations on ballot measures that will impact youth of color, and encourage young people to vote. There is no cost to attend the forum, which will be streamed live on Facebook and YouTube on Tuesday, October 20^th from 5-6PM PST. Attendees can pre-register to attend HERE to receive the event link and learn more on how to participate. 

“Growing up in the inner city of Los Angeles, I know firsthand the struggles that young people face in their everyday lives,” said Westbrook. “The youth are the building blocks of our country and I’m excited to be part of this forum to help educate them about the issues that affect their daily lives, energize them to vote and lift up their voices and vision for racial justice and community change.”

Westbrook and Marc Philpart, Managing Director of PolicyLink, will serve as hosts for the 60-minute forum that will center on presentations by Los Angeles youth leaders from the Youth Justice Coalition, Community Coalition, and the Brothers, Sons, Selves Coalition.

The forum will be interactive, with young people in the virtual audience “watch party” asking questions of the presenters and participating through real-time engagement.   Participating in the watch party will be youth from the Brothers, Sons, Selves Coalition, the Crenshaw Family YMCA and student athletes from Team Why Not?

“Young people of color are powerful leaders who know what their communities need to thrive,” said Philpart, who also serves as Principal Coordinator for the Alliance for Boys and Men of Color Network. “Youth of color are ready to play a pivotal role in the November elections and the nation’s political future.”

"We have always been proud to support Russell’s work and we are happy to work with him again on this important initiative. The season may be over, but the work continues,” said Sherrie Deans, Executive Director of the NBPA Foundation and acting COO of the NBPA.

Pre-Register to Join the Forum: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/our-vote-our-future-tickets-124740296585

Social Media Toolkit: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_T8G6Bm3BDUN3P-o6pN9VxRsEsXqbS3edJjA2fsGhSg/edit

About the Why Not? Foundation

The mission of the Russell Westbrook Why Not? Foundation is to inspire the lives of children, empower them to ask, “Why Not?” and teach them to never give up. The foundation works to help children that are facing hardships of any kind, and when faced with that adversity, fight to succeed and to never give up. Russell Westbrook and his brother were taught to ask, “Why Not?” every time they were told they could not do something. It is this encouragement and strength that Russell and his family want to spread to children across the country. Founded in 2012, the Russell Westbrook Why Not? Foundation is dedicated to supporting community-based education and family service programs while encouraging youth to believe in themselves. https://whynotfoundation.org/

About the Alliance for Boys and Men of Color

The Alliance for Boys and Men of Color is a national network of hundreds of community and advocacy organizations who come together to advance race and gender justice by building communities full of opportunity and transforming policies that are failing boys and men of color, their families, and communities. For more information, visit https://allianceforbmoc.org

About PolicyLink 

PolicyLink is a national research and action institute advancing economic and social equity by Lifting Up What Works ®. PolicyLink connects the work of people on the ground to the policy changes needed to build an equitable economy—one in which everyone, including low-income people and people of color, can participate and prosper. Visit http://www.policylink.org for more information.

About the National Basketball Players Association Foundation

Established in 1997, The National Basketball Players Association Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of its members and providing support and assistance to persons, communities and organizations throughout the world that seek to improve the lives of those in need. Through grants that match players’ philanthropy and charitable giving, the Foundation highlights and accelerates the real and collaborative work that basketball players do worldwide to build their communities and create meaningful change.

Press Contacts for The Russell Westbrook Why Not? Foundation:

Chelsea Thomas // chelsea.thomas@ledecompany.com

Amanda Silverman // amanda.silverman@ledecompany.com

Press Contact for Policy Link:

Sybil Grant // sybil@policylink.org