PODCAST: David Gould joins the podcast

Earlier today, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment announced the hiring of their new Chief Diversity and Impact Officer, David Gould. Gould previously served as the Executive Director of the Sixers Youth Foundation within the HBSE family. He joined podcast hosts Matt Loughlin and Catherine Bogart on a special edition of the Speak of the Devils podcast to discuss his hiring, the role, and what he hopes to achieve with HBSE.
Gould was a key voice within HBSE's committee that established the company's racial justice action plan that was announced by Managing Partners Josh Harris and David Blitzer. His hiring comes less than a month after the public announcement of this plan.
"We came out in August with, I think, a really tremendous commitment of $20 million to support efforts that address the longterm impacts of systemic racism. I was fortunate enough to be part of the working group that came up with that commitment and there's a plan attached to it," said Gould. "I have spent my entire career finding ways where I can serve in roles that give back to the community. Frankly as a Black man, race has been something that has always been something that I've been aware of, and has impacted me a lot both personally and professionally. The opportunity to continue to give back and also work towards racial equality from really an incredible platform with HBSC, especially when you think about the 76ers and New Jersey Devils platforms, that opportunity I couldn't pass up. I'm really grateful for the opportunity."

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When it comes to racial equity, diversity, and inclusion, Gould discussed the importance of this movement within the country for equality and change.
"For us and our company, this isn't a political issue, this is really about a human rights issue. This is about how people are treated fairly, which hopefully we all can get behind and agree on. So that's really what we want to focus on. It's not about mixing athletics and politics," explained Gould. "We think there's an incredible opportunity to use the power of sport to bring people together."
Although he is new in his role, Gould is determined to continue the work for racial equity, diversity, and inclusion through the company's business holdings and sports teams.
"We have some very tangible action oriented programs that we're going to be rolling out in the near term, probably this fall leading up to the next season, especially around how we invest in businesses, specifically Black owned businesses," said Gould. "How are we creating content and drawing attention to the matter, in a sustained fashion and not just being reactive when there's a tragic even that happens."
"We're going to continue to about it and draw attention to it, but in a positive way to try to push for solutions as well. I think a lot of that comes from education and empathy, which is just about humanizing it and allowing people to share their experiences."
In addition, Gould will continue working with players who are using their voices and platforms to change. Devils defenseman P.K. Subban is one player who continues to lead the NHL in using his platform and voice for change. Subban established his charity initiative Blue Line Buddies in
Newark
this year to connect the local community with law enforcement over a Devils game and dinner. In addition, the defenseman has used his platform to discuss racism and donated $50,000 to Gianna Floyd, George Floyd's daughter.
"I think something that's really important is that we're working with our players who have an incredible platform themselves and have used it. We want to help amplify their message and their experience and their stories, because whether it's P.K. Subban or Jack Hughes, they're going through this process in a very different way based on their own experiences. I think that them sharing their experiences helps different people our marketing, our fan base to relate in different ways that they can connect to the issue."
Gould has extensive experience serving the community throughout his career, which will enhance HBSE's efforts working within the Greater Philadelphia and Northern New Jersey communities.
"We have tremendous community responsibility programs, the Sixers Foundation and Devils Care Foundation, that do work in the community," said Gould. "My job is to be a facilitator and help put together the vision, but it's really working across the organization because this is about really infusing this into the DNA and culture of the company."
Although Gould has focused on the Greater Philadelphia area in his career, he has already connected with the Devils side of HBSE, with the NHL, and organizations within Newark. Gould is excited to bring his work and passion to supporting communities to New Jersey in this role.
"I know there are a lot of the similar challenges in the [Newark] community that we face in Philadelphia. I've already been connected to some great organizations especially when we think about the business community," said Gould. "Thinking about how large institutions like ours, anchor institutions, can do more business with local businesses, do more business with diverse businesses."
"We have to remember that this isn't a short term commitment. We're really thinking about how we infuse this mindset into how we do business. So we have these early action items but I think what's really important is that we have a commitment to continue thinking about how we push the envelope, how we speak out on issues of injustice and how we think about ways that we can use our resources in our business to have a positive impact in the community."