We turn People Power into Public Policy.
Criminal Justice
Combatting mass incarceration, shrinking America’s prison system, and supporting returning individuals.
Community Safety
Promoting public health approaches to violence prevention and reduction.
Policing
Eliminating bias, ensuring accountability, and building stronger community relationships.
Voting Rights
Protecting the first right of democracy by strengthening access to the ballot for all Americans.
Who We Are
The National Basketball Social Justice Coalition is an organization of players, coaches, team governors, and executives leading the NBA family’s advocacy work to advance social justice.
Connect With Us
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Karl-Anthony Towns Named 2023-24 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion
Criminal Justice
Minnesota Timberwolves forward/center Karl-Anthony Towns has been named the 2023-24 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion. Towns becomes the first Timberwolves player and fourth recipient of the award since its inception in 2021. The annual award honors a current NBA player for pursuing social justice and upholding the league’s values of equality, respect and inclusion.
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Hate is on the rise in America. As NBA leaders, we’re fighting against it together.
Around the NBA
Against the backdrop of rising hate crimes in the U.S., Coalition Board members Jrue Holiday (Boston Celtics Guard), Micky Arison (Miami Heat Managing General Partner), and J.B. Bickerstaff (Cleveland Cavaliers Head Coach) pen a compelling op-ed for USA Today arguing for the power of sports to unite and heal, reaffirming the NBA’s commitment to social…[ More ]
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Detroit Pistons help provide ‘second chance’ to more than 150 citizens from the justice-impacted community
Criminal Justice
The Pistons, the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition, Safe & Just Michigan, the City of Detroit, the Michigan Attorney General’s Office, Project Clean Slate, the U.S Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan and other resource groups provided support to more than 150 formerly incarcerated individuals. The event served as an opportunity for a fresh…[ More ]
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Doc Rivers: Why I’m working with the Pa. Innocence Project
Criminal Justice
The number of innocent Americans in prison is disturbing and Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doc Rivers shares why he is teaming up with The Innocence Project to help right this wrong.
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CJ McCollum: Public safety and criminal justice reform go hand in hand
Policing
“Let me be clear: Public safety and criminal justice reform are not mutually exclusive. They go hand in hand.”
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Detroit Pistons Head Coach Dwane Casey: Vote to Improve Detroit and Michigan
Voting Rights
Detroit Pistons Head Coach and National Basketball Social Justice Coalition Board member, Dwane Casey, speaks to the importance of voting in 2022 Election.
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Q&A: CJ McCollum & James Cadogan on the importance of Election Day
Voting Rights
NBPA president CJ McCollum and Social Justice Coalition executive director James Cadogan discuss the NBA’s approach to Election Day 2022.
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Shut Up and Dribble? The NBA Has Other Ideas – The Village Voice
Around the NBA
Jammel Cutler writes in the Village Voice about how the NBA and its stars are working to promote voter engagement this coming election day.
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The NBA Makes Voting a Priority with no Games on Election Day
Around the NBA
The league has arranged this year’s schedule around election day, for the first time ever, in an effort to increase voter participation.
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Social Justice and the NBA With James Cadogan
About the Coalition
Executive Director James Cadogan joins Bakari Sellers to discuss the scope of the Coalition’s mission and more
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Private: NBA Advocates for Equal Act and Right a Longstanding Wrong
Criminal Justice
The NBA has a long history of social activism and they are continuing that tradition through the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition.
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NBA Social Justice Coalition vows to fight for voting rights
Voting Rights
As the fight for voting rights stalls in Congress, the NBA Social Justice Coalition continues its call for lawmakers to act urgently to protect the right to vote.
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‘We Have a Lot More to Do’: Inside the NBA’s Unprecedented Social Justice Coalition
Around the NBA
One year in, the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition has endured disappointment but remains committed to the fight against racial inequality.