The Red Wings will introduce a "Game Changers" series, which is designed to recognize and celebrate Black community members making a positive impact on the lives of young Detroiters. Once per week during the month of February, a community member making a profound difference in the areas of youth education, youth wellness or hockey participation will be featured at DetroitRedWings.com, and on the club's social media channels.
On Thursday, Feb. 25 against Nashville, each honoree will safely be presented a Game Changers jersey and a commemorative award. They will also be awarded a $1,000 grant dedicated to the charity of their choice. The Red Wings will host a panel on the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion during the Feb. 24 edition of The Word on Woodward, of which honorees will be invited to participate.
Game Changers include Portia Roberson, the CEO of Focus: HOPE, Kenyatta Stephens, the CEO of Black Family Development, Inc., Khali Sweeney, the Founder and CEO of Downtown Boxing Gym, and Shawn Wilson, the President and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan. The Game Changers series is celebrated in partnership with Comerica Bank.
The Red Wings have also introduced limited-edition, black logo T-shirts that are available for online purchase from Feb. 1-28, with proceeds benefiting the Detroit Branch NAACP's Youth Council and the Detroit Red Wings Foundation, specifically the groundbreaking Learn, Play, Score program in Detroit. The shirts cost $30 and are exclusively available for purchase online.
The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Youth Skater of the Game, recognized virtually during the 2020-21 season, will celebrate a local Black youth hockey player for each home game during the month of February. The Youth Skater of the Game will have a chance to watch Red Wings players up close and personal during warmups prior to each game from the comfort of their home through a unique, telepresence experience located in the bench area.
A landing page on DetroitRedWings.com --
DetroitRedWings.com/Equality
-- was recently launched to serve as a year-round hub for educating and inspiring fans interested in learning how the organization supports under-represented populations through the game of hockey.
The Feb. 25 game against the Predators will serve as Black History Month Celebration Night at Little Caesars Arena. The Red Wings will pay tribute to Black players and community members who have impacted the game of hockey in Detroit, along with celebrating the Game Changers.
