CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY REPORT
DEAR BUZZ CITY,
Since we assumed ownership of Hornets Sports & Entertainment in August of last year, we’ve spent a lot of time getting to know the Carolinas and its unique needs. We’ve met a lot of incredible people – families, students, fans, city officials and business leaders, alike – who truly care about making a lasting and meaningful difference in our community. For that, we’re grateful .
As we have stated previously, we want to be an organization that wins on the court, supports the community, and provides a tremendous source of pride to its fans on our path to becoming the premier franchise in the NBA. We’ll continue to seek new ways to become even more impactful by building on the positive momentum of our corporate social responsibility department and the Charlotte Hornets Foundation. The Chairman’s Legacy Fund is just one example of our entire ownership group’s long-term commitment to uplift and strengthen the community.
In the pages that follow, you can learn more about the tremendous work done throughout the region during the 2023-24 season through our various Swarm to Serve initiatives, and other ways we assist with critical
Thank you to our partners, season ticket members and fans for your continued support. Without you, none of this would be possible. Together we’re building a lasting legacy.
Rick Schnall Co-Chairman - Governor
Gabe Plotkin Co-Chairman - Alternate Governor
The Chairman’s Legacy Fund was established in 2023 by the Hornets Sports & Entertainment Ownership Group as an annual commitment to strengthen the Charlotte community.
Its first activation focused on revitalizing gymnasiums in nine local schools to create safe, inclusive and state-of-the-art spaces to help foster a vibrant basketball culture. In total, $500,000 worth of basketball-centric renovations – ranging from new courts and goals to new bleachers and scoreboards – were completed.
Our inaugural initiative is about so much more than just developing a love of basketball. It’s about instilling essential values that the game can teach such as teamwork, discipline, commitment and leadership.”
Rick Schnall and Gabe Plotkin | Hornets Sports & Entertainment Co-Chairmen
EDUCATION
The Hornets Book Bus and its Hugo’s Super Readers presentation is a part of the Charlotte Hornets’ “Excellence in Education” initiative, which aims to address one of Charlotte’s greatest educational issues – youth literacy.
Throughout the year, the Book Bus team visits elementary schools in and around the Charlotte area, for an engaging assembly-style program that excites and inspires children to pick up a book and read every day. Following each program, students are invited to visit the bus to get a free book of their choice.v
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Presented by TIAA, the Hornets Pick & Read program aims to introduce young students to books that feature characters of color that are written by authors from diverse backgrounds.
Every month, a guest author was brought in to read their book and facilitate a short discussion via webinar, in an effort to promote the power of diversity, inclusion and equality among participants. In 2023-24, nearly 3,000 students participated in the program, which featured the following authors:
• “Alma’s Way” by Sonia Manzano
• “Enough is Enough” by Earl Fambro
• “Earn It, a Moneybunny Book” by Cinders McLeod
• “Needle and the Too Big World” by Elim Lee
• “Where You Belong” by Tyranika Abrams
• “Savvy Sammi, the Superhero” by Trinity Jagdeo
• “Jack and His Mind” by Amber Dennison
• “Bravo Anjali” by Sheetal Sheth
The Charlotte Hornets teamed up with Ally Financial to bring students from Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s Garinger and Harding University High Schools to Spectrum Center to learn about financial literacy and careers within sports and entertainment.
Our goal for the Fueling Futures event goes beyond educating these students about careers within the sports industry and financial literacy. We hope to inspire participants to dream big and encourage them to start thinking about their futures today.
Attendees participated in a “Money Matters” financial education session, received a Spectrum Center tour, and attended a series of breakout sessions led by HSE and Ally leaders. To conclude the day, students had a special Q&A and autograph signing session with Hornets Player Grant Williams and Hornets Legend Dell Curry.
- Jacob Gallagher |
HSE and Bank of America collaborated to host a new event, Bridging the Opportunity Divide, in order to showcase national nonprofit Year Up – which provides skills-based training and a pathway to meaningful employment for young adults without four-year college degrees – and the impact it has made within the Charlotte community. Together, the organizations hosted a panel discussion, fireside chat and reception at Spectrum Center for more than 200 prospective corporate partners, as well as current and prospective Year Up interns at Bank of America.
Year Up is a tremendous organization doing phenomenal work both here in Charlotte and across the country. Our goal is to highlight that this program works and that there are benefits for both the community and companies involved.
- Betsy Mack | Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility • Charlotte Hornets
HUNGER
The Charlotte Hornets and Food Lion Feeds provided Thanksgiving meals to 1,000 local families in need at the 13th Annual Cornucopia event. Distributed in collaboration with Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina, each meal contained enough food to feed a family of four, resulting in approximately 4,000 people being served.
Hornets and Food Lion volunteers, including Hornets players Grant Williams and JT Thor, packed 3,000 backpacks for local children facing food insecurity as part of the fourth annual Backpack for Hunger event.
We believe no one should have to choose between dinner and rent or gas and groceries. In a time when so many families experience hunger, we are grateful to partner with the Hornets and the food bank to provide nutritious food for our Charlotte area students.
- Meg Ham | Food Lion President
Each backpack included ready-to-eat or easy-to-prepare food and snack items, in preparation for Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools’ Spring Break, when school meals were not readily available for many families in our community. The backpacks were distributed as part of Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina’s Backpack Program.
PLAYER SHOPPING SPREE
Food Lion Feeds and Charlotte Hornets players, Seth Curry and Davis Bertans, helped two families shop for their groceries ahead of Spring Break. The families, who received over $1,000 worth of groceries, were also joined by Hugo the Hornet and the Honey Bees.
It means a lot to give back. I mean, these are people that come out to support us. The people who make this city the great city that it is. For us to be in the position that we are to be able to give back and help out…. It’s fun to get out here and touch the families and have a fun day as well.
- Seth Curry | Charlotte Hornets
MILITARY CARE
Hornets and Novant Health volunteers, including the entire Hornets team and coaching staff, teamed up to pack 3,000 care kits – 1,500 hygiene kits and 1,500 snack kits – for U.S. military service members in the 10th annual Military Care event.
The kits, which included personalized thank you notes, were distributed by the USO North Carolina to U.S. military service members preparing for and returning from deployment at Camp Lejeune (Jacksonville, NC), Fort Liberty (Fayetteville, NC) and Seymour Johnson Air Force Base (Goldsboro, NC).
The franchise continues to honor and celebrate active members of the United States Armed Forces through its Hornets Salute program. Identified in collaboration with USO of North Carolina, individuals from the following were recognized at Hornets home games this season:
• Seymour Johnson Air Force Base – Goldsboro, NC
• U.S. Marine Corps Recruiting Station’s Navy Talent Acquisition Group – Raleigh, NC
• U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune – Jacksonville, NC
• 145th Airlift Wing, NC Air National Guard – Charlotte, NC
As part of the Yellow Ribbon Program, the Charlotte Hornets honor military veterans and retirees for their unwavering service to country and community contributions during home games throughout the season. This season, three individuals were honored:
• Chief Petty Officer Joshua Wilson, U.S. Coast Guard, Retired
• Corporal Felicia Freeman, Former U.S. Marine Corps
• Sergeant First Class Benjamin Laster, U.S. Army, Retired
Operation Hornet aims to support 200+ children of military families annually who are enrolled in Operation Hero, a free after-school program at the Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) Fort Liberty designed to help kids cope with and address the unique challenges often faced by military children, such as frequent moves and deployment separation.
As part of the program, students at the ASYMCA Fort Liberty received a book from the Hornets Book Bus, custom Operation Hornet backpack, custom dog tags and participated in a Hornets Hoops Mini Clinic.
Throughout the 2023-24 season, the Charlotte Hornets partnered with the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) to bring joy and support to families of fallen heroes. TAPS, a national nonprofit dedicated to providing compassionate care and comprehensive resources to those grieving a death in the military or veteran community, worked with the Hornets to invite surviving military families to special games and experiences.
This collaboration aimed to honor and uplift the families of fallen heroes, creating memorable moments and fostering community connection throughout the season.
HORNETS HOSPITAL VISIT
Hornets players Brandon Miller, Amari Bailey, and Nick Smith Jr. along with Hugo visited patients at Novant Health Hemby Children’s Hospital for Halloween, delivering gift bags to children and their families, which included candy as well as bedsheets and pillowcases from Playtime Edventures – the winner of the 2023 Hornets Innovation Summit Presented by Bank of America. The trio dressed as superheroes - Bailey as Spider-Man, Miller as Black Panther and Smith as Batman.
In the Spring, Hornets players LaMelo Ball and Vasilije Micic, along with Hugo the Hornet, visited patients and their families at Novant Health Hemby Children’s Hospital. As they visited patients, they distributed autographed copies of children’s book, Hugo.
The Charlotte Hornets and Blue Cross NC teamed up to host a friendly cooking competition for kids from the Stratford Richardson YMCA for the Hornets’ annual Pass the Plate initiative. Split into two teams, participants battled it out in the kitchen, making creative lettuce wrap tacos using simple ingredients found in every household. Hornets players Mark Williams and Nick Smith Jr. participated as team captains, and members of the Honey Bees served as judges.
Pass the Plate is part of the Hornets’ annual Fit Week presented by Blue Cross NC, which aims to educate youth about the importance of total health and the impact that healthy choices can have on the mind, body and spirit.
We partner with the Hornets each year and bring a different set of students to get this experience and to learn different [health and culinary] skills. It’s important that our children know what they can contribute back to their community.
- Natalya McCallum | Director of Family Services at Stratford Richardson YMCA
More than 50 Special Olympics North Carolina athletes attended a basketball clinic at Spectrum Center in partnership with Gatorade’s Equity in Sport initiative.
The clinic, conducted by Hornets Hoops staff and Hornets Ambassadors Muggsy Bogues, Dell Curry, and Matt Carroll, focused on fundamental skills such as dribbling, passing, shooting, rebounding and defense.
For the ninth year, Hugo’s Little Hero presented by Coca-Cola
Consolidated celebrated local youth supported by Bee Mighty who have encountered challenges and persevered as Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) graduates.
Each recipient received a special VIP package that included a variety of personalized gifts, tickets to a Hornets game, a special shout out during the game and visit from Hugo.
• Cohen & Heath
• Patrick
• Christopher
• Stella
• Annette
HUGO’S P.E. POWER-UP
The Charlotte Hornets and Dole® Food Company hosted the firstever Hugo’s PE Power-Up presented by Dole® in November, which was subsequently held quarterly at different Charlotte-Mecklenburg elementary schools throughout the school year as part of the partnership between Dole ® and the Hornets.
As part of the program, students in kindergarten through fifth grades received a fun, engaging nutrition lesson – where they learned to make a healthy Banana Breakfast wrap using Dole® Bananas – and participated in a Hornets Hoops basketball clinic. Additional fresh fruit was provided to the school’s cafeterias as part of the initiative to promote healthy eating habits among students and families.
2023-24 Hugo’s PE Power-Up Locations:
• Windsor Park Elementary School
• Idlewild Elementary School
• Winterfield Elementary School
• Thomasboro Elementary School
The inaugural Healthy Hive presented by Novant Health brought together dozens of student-athletes and athletic staff members from various Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools high school sports teams to learn about the importance of holistic wellness for optimal performance and success both in sports and in life. The half-day program featured various perspectives from former and current professional athletes, as well as sport psychology and wellness experts.
We share our commitment to both the mental and physical performance of athletes with the Charlotte Hornets, and we are happy to support the inaugural Healthy Hive event. We hope that the local athletes in attendance will learn from this event and apply mental wellness and performance practices to their lives.
- Dr. Joanne Perry | Director of Orthopedic & Sports Psychology at Novant Health
ADDITIONAL ENGAGEMENT
The Hornets hosted its 4th annual Hornets Innovation Summit presented by Bank of America, which aims to increase social and financial capital as well as economic mobility for local minorityowned businesses and entrepreneurs.
For the first time ever, the Hornets Ownership Group doubled its investment providing funding for two local businesses - Mahogany Brown Bridal, a specialty bridal boutique that offers a unique experience for brides seeking high-end multicultural-designed gowns, and The Frame, a creative space and photo studio.
VOLUNTEER DAY
In preparation for the 2023 Hornets Legacy Project unveiling, volunteers from the Grier Heights community, Lowe’s, and the Hornets, including HSE Co-Chairman and Governor Rick Schnall and Hornets players Bryce McGowens and Gordon Hayward (traded in February 2024), completed various beautification tasks around the Grier Heights park.
PROJECT REVEAL
The Charlotte Hornets and Lowe’s held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil renovations to the existing outdoor amphitheater in Grier Heights Park in partnership with CrossRoads Corporation, the Grier Heights Community Improvement Organization and Mecklenburg County.
With the goals of enhancing the amphitheater’s functionality, accessibility and overall appeal, as well as attracting diverse events and boosting community engagement, the project included structural improvements, seating renovations, power outlets, a stage canopy, accessibility improvements, landscaping and a public art installation to beautify the space while paying homage to the cultural heritage of the Grier Heights neighborhood.
FIRESIDE CHAT
As part of our collective Black History Month efforts, the Hornets and Blue Cross NC hosted “Vanguards of Change: A Fireside Chat”. The event featured a series of immersive conversations with three changemakers who are actively shaping the history of Charlotte today through their respective community-driven initiatives.
LuseniI kromah DARK MODE
TCHERNAVIA
YOUTH EVENT
Hornets players Cody Martin and Nathan Mensah joined local middle school students and members of HSE’s “Black Flight” Employee Resource Group for an “Expressions of Unity” art workshop facilitated by local artist Javon Jeter. Participants had an opportunity to explore, celebrate and express their unique identities through the creation of self-portraits.
VOLUNTEER EVENT
To tip-off Black History Month, Hornets and Blue Cross NC staff joined forces with non-profit organization Nourish Up to pack seven-day food boxes with non-perishable items for our neighbors in need.
Originally launched in 2020 to drive voter registration and turnout for the National election, Hornets Sports & Entertainment’s 2023 Swarm the Polls campaign was centered around the importance of local elections, encouraging voter turnout for the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County elections.
The Hornets Book Bus traveled to local colleges and Black-owned businesses promoting voter registration in collaboration with non-profit organization, You Can Vote.
BY THE NUMBERS
POWER FORWARD SOCIAL JUSTICE
As a part of HSE’s continuing efforts toward social justice reform, the organization created the Social Justice Power Forward program to honor local leaders who are making a difference in the realm of social justice issues, powering through obstacles and pushing forward a positive impact.
The program brings to light all the work these leaders are doing through the activation of numerous events and initiatives that dive deeper into both raising awareness while simultaneously helping provide support in the areas of social justice.
• Dr. Crystal L. Hill; Superintendent of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
• Janet LaBar; CEO, Charlotte Regional Business Alliance
• Tiffany Capers; Executive Director of CrossRoads Corporation
• Sherri Chisholm; Executive Director, Leading On Opportunity
BY THE NUMBERS
This year’s Week of Service focused on alleviating factors that often contribute to teacher burnout and low teacher retention rates within Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS). Throughout the week, volunteers from the Hornets and Bank of America participated in projects designed to provide tangible support, enhance classroom environments and ease financial and emotional stress as educators prepare for the first day of school.
The week began with supporting Classroom Central, an organization that fosters equity in education by providing important resources to teachers and students in 245 schools across six school districts, including CMS. Later in the week, the Hornets and Bank of America completed various projects at Tuckaseegee Elementary and Statesville Road Elementary, both CMS Title I elementary schools.
More than 175 volunteers from Charlotte Hornets and Bank of America participated in this year’s Week of Service.
Over 300 hours of staff volunteerism during 2024 Week of Service.
Hosted two Scholastic Book Fairs for more than 70 classroom and special elective teachers at Statesville Road and Tuckaseegee Elementary Schools. In total, more than 1,600 new books were added to the schools, valued at approximately $17,000.
SEASON OF
This year’s Hornets Tinsel & Tidings presented by Guy Roofing initiative provided holiday cheer to more than two dozen students at Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s Westerly Hills Academy. Together, the teams facilitated a hands-on holiday craft project and surprised participants with gifts from their “wish list” to Santa, including a book and an activity or game they could do with their family and friends over the holidays.
The Charlotte Hornets and Pineville-based Mills Automotive Group hosted the inaugural Hornets Hoopin’ Holidays presented by Mills Automotive in December at Spectrum Center.
Hosted in collaboration with the Central Carolinas chapter of A Kid Again – a nonprofit that offers free local activities for families who have a child facing a life-threatening condition –and local business Shoedio, more than two dozen kids got into the holiday spirit by painting custom sneakers alongside Hornets players Mark Williams, Nick Richards, JT Thor, and Gordon Hayward (traded in February 2024).
WITH TIME OUT YOUTH PRIDE MONTH
In honor of Pride Month and leading up to the annual Pride Night celebration, the Charlotte Hornets collaborated with Time Out Youth to celebrate and support LGBTQ+ youth in the Charlotte area. Throughout the month, we served 100+ meals through the organization’s “Family Dinner” program, provided by local favorite and LGBTQ+, Lupie’s Café.
In addition, the Hornets supported the creation of a sensory space at the center and donated to the program’s Emergency Financial Assistance fund.
PLAYER INITIATIVES
P.J. WASHINGTON’S
THANKSGIVING GIVEAWAY
For the third year, P.J. Washington Jr. joined members of Steele Creek Zion AME Church in providing Thanksgiving meals to families in the Charlotte community.
TERRY ROZIER’S
MERRY TERRY CHRISTMAS
In December, former Hornets Guard Terry Rozier III hosted his 6th Annual Merry Terry Christmas, working with five non-profit and community organizations throughout the week-long initiative to provide support to families in need during the holiday season.
Partner organizations for the 2023 initiative included Beds for Kids, Baby Bundles, the Grier Heights Community Center, Novant Health Hemby Children’s Hospital, and the Salvation Army Center of Hope.
BRANDON MILLER’S
HOLIDAY GIFT DELIVERY
Brandon Miller collaborated with the Salvation Army’s Supportive Housing Innovative Partnership to purchase holiday gifts for two families, personally delivering and sharing meaningful moments with each of them.
BRANDON MILLER’S
MAKE-A-WISH DAY
The team had the unique opportunity to make Ryan Jones’, a 16-year-old sarcoma cancer survivor and North Carolina native, wish of spending “A day with the Charlotte Hornets” come true! Brandon Miller made the full-day VIP experience extra special, inviting Ryan to join him during the player walk-ins, on the court to practice his half-court shots and for the pregame National Anthem and player introductions, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
NICK RICHARDS
NEST ACADEMY GRADUATION SHOPPING SPREE
Charlotte Hornets Forward Nick Richards brought four graduating seniors from the Nest Academy on a shopping spree at Nike to celebrate their academic achievements. The Nest Academy is a K-12 private school founded to change the life trajectory of refugee, immigrant, underprivileged and at-risk children.
Students who participated in the shopping spree were first-generation high school graduates, representing Mexico, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia and Rwanda.
GRANT WILLIAMS
2ND ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT
Grant Williams and the Grant Williams Family Foundation (GWFF) hosted their 2nd Annual Golf Tournament at Charlotte’s Carmel Country Club. This marquee event helps to provide financial support to directly support operations and growth of the Foundation in its four core areas of mentorship, financial literacy, technology, and arts/athletics. Proceeds from the tournament went towards supporting the Foundations most notable programs, including its annual hackathon, inner-city scholarships program, and “Live to Learn” programs.
OTHER HSE PROPERTIES
SWARM + ACADEMY SPORTS + OUTDOOR
SHOPPING SPREE
The Swarm joined Academy Sports + Outdoors for the sixth iteration of this annual holiday initiative. Players and coaches accompanied more than 30 children – identified through the Boys & Girls Club and YMCA of Greensboro – as they shopped for holiday gifts and provided each with a $150 gift card.
The holidays can indeed be a challenging time for some families and hopefully we can continue to support our community in making the holiday season brighter for so many kids and families this time of the season. This event is something our organization looks forward to every year in trying to make a difference.
- Steve Swetoha | Greensboro Swarm President
SWARM HOSPITAL VISIT
To show our appreciation for healthcare workers, the Swarm brought holiday joy and goodies to the Novant Health team at Kernersville Medical Center in advance of Thanksgiving. Swarm players Jaylen Sims and Trevon Scott, along with Swarmy, greeted and provided gifts to more than 30 employees who were working over the holiday.
AT CHICK-FIL-A SWARM SERVES UP SMILES
In honor of Swarm Fan Appreciation Night presented by Chick-Fil-A, two Swarm players – Terrell Brown Jr. and Angelo Allegri – showed their appreciation to the community by visiting the local Chick-fil-A at Four Seasons Mall. The players dove into work as they experienced prepping, cooking food, taking orders, and serving customers with infectious energy.
STALEY EARLY LEARNING CENTER
VISIT WITH PNC BANK
In celebration of our strong partnership with PNC Bank, and in honor of the 20th anniversary of its #GrowUpGreat campaign, Swarm players and coaches read books to children, played games, and handed out Swarm merchandise to children and educators at the Children & Families First’s Staley Early Learning Center in High Point. This year, the annual initiative raised over $1,000 for Children & Families First.
AGGIE SOURCE FOOD PANTRY
DONATIONS
As part of our annual Black History Month and HBCU Night efforts, the Swarm and Hudson Automotive donated canned items to the Aggie Source Food Pantry at North Carolina A&T State University. Swarm player Trevon Scott delivered the canned goods and assisted in organizing the school’s pantry.
JORDAN BRAND DELIVERIES HORNETS VENOM GT
During the holiday season, Hornets Venom GT and the Charlotte Hornets Foundation teamed up to donate over 600 Jordan Brand sweatpants, sweatshirts, jackets and t-shirts to local shelters through Crisis Assistance Ministry, a one-stop shop for Mecklenburg County families facing poverty, and Roof Above, a comprehensive homeless service provider that serves more than 1,000 people each day.
HORNETS VENOM GT
BOOK BUS TAKEOVER
The Hornets Book Bus held a special Hornets Venom GT themed show at Elizabeth Traditional Elementary School, which was attended by the full Hornets Venom GT roster and operations team. After the program, the players visited various second grade classrooms to read our new comic-style book about the team’s mascot, Venni Venom, distributing copies of the book to each student and signing autographs.
CHARLOTTE HORNETS FOUNDATION
ABOUT
The Charlotte Hornets Foundation helps make up most of Foundation is a separate 501c3 that focuses on building a stronger
SCHNALL CO-CHAIRMAN
DUNLEVY TREASURER
GILLIGAN SECRETARY
PLOTKIN CO-CHAIRMAN
BELK PILON BOARD MEMBER
JIM
SHANNON
RICK
MC
GABE
of our Swarm to Serve initiatives. The Charlotte Hornets stronger community, from our community, for our community.
JAMES
JORDAN PRESIDENT
DAMIAN
MILLS BOARD MEMBER
BETSY MACK EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
AMY LEVINE DAWSON BOARD MEMBER
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EDUCATION GRANT
This year’s $100,000 Education Grant went to the John Crosland School – Charlotte’s first school solely for children with learning differences. The donation was used to build a STEAM Lab for students of all abilities, which included computers, 3D printers, microscopes, science and craft workstations and a Lego table.
To celebrate the grant, Hornets forward Leaky Black and Charlotte Hornets Foundation staff visited the school to attend a class in the school’s new STEAM Lab and to learn about and watch the solar eclipse.
HUNGER GRANT
This year’s $100,000 Hunger Grant was given through our longstanding partnership with Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Charlotte to The Males Place — North Carolina’s leading male mentoring program. The Males Place used the funding to purchase materials for its robust agriculture initiative and to assist with overall program administration support.
To celebrate the grant, Hornets guard Tre Mann and Charlotte Hornets Foundation staff visited The Males Place to present a check to Founder Baba Reggie Singleton and to learn more about the organization’s weekly mentorship programs.
MILITARY GRANT
The Charlotte Hornets Foundation awarded its annual Military Care grant to Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation – a national nonprofit that provides college scholarships and educational counseling to military children who have lost a parent in the line of duty. The $100,000 donation helped provide scholarship funding and assistance to six deserving students as they pursued their undergraduate studies at local North Carolina universities.
HSE Co-Chairman & Alternate Governor Gabe Plotkin, a member of the Children of Fallen Patriots Board of Advisors, and James Jordan presented custom basketballs painted by local muralist Raman Bhardwaj to scholarship recipients on court during the Hornets game against the Washington Wizards.
WELLNESS GRANT
This year’s $100,000 donation went to Care Ring – a nonprofit dedicated to providing health services for the uninsured, underinsured or those lacking access to affordable, high-quality preventative health care in Mecklenburg County. Funding went toward the organization’s Nurse-Family Partnership program, which aims to reduce maternal health disparities and strengthen the lives of pregnant mothers and their babies by providing additional education and support around prenatal and newborn care as well as developmental milestones.
To commemorate the grant and the wonderful work by Care Ring, a special graduation ceremony was held at Spectrum Center for this year’s Nurse-Family Partnership program participants and their young toddlers.
HORNETS VENOM GT GRANT
The Charlotte Hornets Foundation awarded its annual $10,000 Hornets Venom GT Grant to the Boys & Girls Club of Cabarrus County. The donation was utilized to create a Hornets Venom GT-themed gaming room, including new systems and equipment.
The full Hornets Venom GT team was in attendance at a special ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil the space to children and Boys & Girls Club leadership.
RICK BONNELL MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Shelby Swanson, a journalism student at the University of North Carolina, was the third recipient of the annual Rick Bonnell Memorial Scholarship, which was created to honor the legacy and impact of late Charlotte Observer Hornets beat writer Rick Bonnell. Following her graduation, Shelby plans to pursue a career in journalism and continue telling sports stories that go “beyond the box score” and “amplify voices and stories that often go unnoticed.”
2023-24 Rick Bonnell Award was awarded to Brandon Miller. This award given annually to a Hornets player that best represents himself and the franchise with professionalism and cooperation when interacting with the media.
The annual Hornets Heroes Gala is the Charlotte Hornets Foundation’s (CHF) largest fundraiser. Unlike any other gala around, guests pair their tuxes and dresses with their favorite pair of sneakers and enjoy a night on the basketball court with five-star cuisine, a nationally recognized master of ceremonies and the opportunity to meet NBA stars—all while celebrating some of the heroes of our community. The 2023 Gala was the CHF’s most successful to date!
2023 Hornets Heroes:
• Education Hero: Sonja Grant, Executive Director of the CMS Foundation
• Hunger Hero: Tina Postel, Chief Executive Officer at Nourish Up
• Military Hero: Amaris McComas, Chief People Officer at CPSI
• Wellness Hero: Michelle Mintz Newell, Manager of Cancer Wellness & Nutrition for the Novant Health Cancer Institute and Novant Health Heart & Vascular Institute
PARTNERS
CORPORATE PARTNERS
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
• A Kid Again
• American Heart Association
• Athlete Ally
• Attendance Plus
• Bee Mighty
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Charlotte
• Care Ring
• Central Piedmont Community College
• Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation
• Charlotte Pride
• Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department
• Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
• Children of Fallen Patriots
• Classroom Central
• Foundation for the Carolinas
• Junior Achievement
• Loaves & Fishes/Friendship Trays – renamed Nourish Up
• Make A Wish
• Muggsy Bogues Family Foundation
• Novant Health Community Care Cruiser
• Read Charlotte
• Right Moves for Youth
• Roof Above
• Samaritan House
• Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina
• Special Olympics of North Carolina
• St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
• Teach for America
• The Boys & Girls Clubs of Charlotte
• The Males Place
• The Salvation Army Center of Hope Shelter
• Time Out Youth
• UNCF
• Urban League of Central Carolinas
• Urban Ministry Center
• USO of North Carolina
• Veterans Bridge Home
• Year Up
• YMCA of Greater Charlotte
• YBLA
• You Can Vote
CREDITS
CHARLOTTE HORNETS FOUNDATION & CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY STAFF
Betsy Mack
Executive Director of Charlotte Hornets Foundation & Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility
Tiara Brown Director, Corporate Social Responsibility
Andie deCelis Manger, Charlotte Hornets Foundation
David Stogdill Manager, Literacy Programs
Gabrielle Hunter Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility
Gina Falvo Coordinator, Corporate Social Responsibility
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
ANNUAL REPORT CREDITS
Gabrielle Hunter Organization & Writing
Virginia Pond & Josh Rosen Editing
Marcus Miller Design & Layout
Kent Smith, Michael Jones & Ross Goldfarb Photography
Salem One Printing