EBONY, the iconic brand serving as the leading voice of the Black American experience for 75 years, today unveiled its Sports Activism digital issue with NBA star
Karl-Anthony Towns gracing the July/August cover. For this special edition, EBONY highlights the contemporary voice of the athlete activist and explores what social advocacy looks like in today’s world.
“Sports and activism have gone hand in hand for generations. Throughout history, so many of our athletes have picked up the mantle in the fight for social justice – from Jackie Robinson to Muhammad Ali to Lebron James to Colin Kaepernick and beyond. And, throughout its history, EBONY has chronicled those stories and given a platform to those brave voices. With this special edition, we wanted to continue that tradition and celebrate the current voices in sports who are using their platform to truly make a difference, especially considering that 2020 was such a pivotal year in navigating through two converging pandemics- COVID- 19 and the racial reckoning happening across the country. For this cover, we wanted someone who encapsulated the spirit of perseverance and who is doing as much off the court as they are on the court,” said Marielle Bobo, EBONY’s Editor-in-Chief and Senior Vice President of Programming.
She continues, “Having experienced unimaginable tragedy over the last year with the tragic loss of his mother and six other family members due to COVID-19—and his own personal experience with the virus, Karl-Anthony Towns stands as the embodiment of perseverance in the face of adversity. And in the midst of all of that, he has worked to raise awareness around issues of social injustice. Karl was indeed the perfect person for this cover.”From his involvement in the George Floyd protests to serving as a member of the NBA’s Social Justice Coalition – the coalition leading the league’s efforts to advance equality and social justice – Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns has emerged as one of the new faces and voice in sports activism, serving as an advocate and change agent for social justice reform. For the cover story, the two-time All-Star talked candidly with acclaimed sportswriter Gary Washburn about a range of topics including: his work as a member of the NBA Social Justice Coalition; the importance of athletes using their platforms to effect change; the impact of George Floyd’s murder in Minnesota, and around the world; how he has persevered in the face of such extreme loss and how those challenges have made him even more committed to promoting change; his message to the Black community given the impact that COVID has had on him personally and, of course, the evolution of his game and his vision for his legacy. Washburn also interviewed Towns’ father, Karl Towns Sr., who has been a source of strength for his son and has greatly influenced his commitment to social justice.
“I remember when Philando Castille was tragically killed in St. Paul. I tried to bring the local kids together with police officers and high-ranking officials, and show them that not all cops are bad. They can be allies. They can be just like us. But it’s hard to keep practicing that message when Minneapolis cops are going through the same events with the same people I’m trying to switch the tide and the narrative of. It’s just unfortunate. I grieve with the community as much as I possibly can.”
Karl Anthony-Towns on Using His Platform for Change
The visuals for the cover were shot in Topanga, CA at a stunning, 10- acre ranch by celebrated photographer Keith Major, who recently joined EBONY as Photo Director and Visuals Lead – making this his first EBONY shoot since taking on this new role (Major has also photographed many of EBONY’s iconic covers in past years). Towns was styled by Natalie Manuel Lee, former Brand Manager of Fear of God. During the shoot, he revealed his love of the creative arts and photography and passion for fashion, including cult labels Jacquemus and Fear of God.
“The formation of the NBA’s Social Justice Coalition is another step in the [organization’s] ongoing efforts to advance social justice, building upon a shared goal of the 2019-20 season restart in Orlando and continuing decades of work by players and teams to address racial inequality, advocate for meaningful change and promote greater civic engagement.”
“My teammates [and I] made it known that we need to fix this. We don’t want to compromise. We’re not fine with a deal that just gives us ten percent of what we asked for; we want the whole pie. We want everything to be fixed and everything to be right. And for me, to be a part of this coalition, I won’t accept anything less than 100 percent change.”
Karl Anthony-Towns On His Work with the NBA Social Justice Coalition:
In partnership with the NBA, the July/August cover story will be accompanied by a series of ancillary articles rolling out in the days to follow highlighting the organization’s social justice efforts, including an exclusive interview with basketball legend and activist Kareem Abdul- Jabbar, a special video package highlighting the finalists of the inaugural Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award and a conversation with Executive Director of the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition James Cadogan.
“My mother is the one who gave me the strength, the morals, and the values that I need to deal with this pain, and to shoulder the pain of my sisters, my father, and the rest of my family as well. [She taught me how] to navigate the scene and keep everyone in a good headspace. She also taught me to try to make the world better. That goal that I have in my heart and in my mind—that kind of mindset—I wasn’t allowing that to change when her physical self left this planet. It’s something that’s been instilled in my soul and that will never go away.”
Karl anthony-Towns on the loss of his Mother
Check out a few excerpts from EBONY’s Cover Story Interview with Karl-Anthony Towns above.
Stay tuned to TheseUrbanTimes.com for all your NBA news. Follow @eldorado2452 and @theseurbantimes on twitter and instagram for all your NBA updates.
