Winnipeg basketball event celebrates Black excellence

A celebration of sport and Black excellence in Winnipeg, Vin Robison says he hopes an event bringing elite athletes from America to the court in the city highlights the power of sport in combatting racism this Black History Month. @_MorganModjeski

By Morgan Modjeski

An event aimed at celebrating Black History Month in Winnipeg saw elite athletes take to the court in this weekend and organizers hope the event showcases their skill and the power of sport to combat racism.

“We need to start to have these inclusive types of games. Games of Peace,” said Vin Robinson, organizer and host of Black Basketball Tribute.

He added that “it’s not just about black history it’s really about inclusion and representing our mosaic in the proper way.” 

Bringing together local athletes and professionals from the American Basketball Association’s Tucson Buckets, Vin Robinson says the event, titled a Black Basketball Tribute, is showcasing Black athletes while also marking Black History Month in the city saying sport in itself, is a powerful way to combat racism. 

“You have to be on the frontline, but you always don’t have to be on the frontline for your voice to be heard or to be seen, you just have to be in the trenches to put in that work,” said Robinson. 

Alongside the showcase game, the event also welcomed community members to attend from across Winnipeg, with a skills competition, open practice and dunk contest. Robinson says it’s events like this that strengthen the community on a whole. 

“You also have to give opportunity to empower people, so that you give them the catalyst. It’s a bit of an each one teach one, program. If I help you, you’re going to learn and you’re going to help the next person.”  

One member of the ABA’s Tucson Buckets to take the court in Winnipeg this weekend was Jatai` Gonder. Owner of the team and playing basketball for most of his life, he said he’s proud to take part in the event.

Gonder said “Black History Month is for our heritage so anything to do to help to continue to make black history and represent where we come from. I’m down for that and proud of that.” 

Saying the team is a family, William Spann was another Bucket taking part in the event and says he using the sport he loves to connect people, both in Tucson and in on the court in Winnipeg, is important.

“I go out there, try my best. I want to show the same energy, respect to all the players, it just goes back and forth respect-wise. I just want to be the best that I can and show there’s no difference between all basketball players, that we all have one love,” said Spann. 

Robinson also says he wants the event to start a larger conversation about representation on the bench, and taking care of athletes in a post-competitive world, making sure they’re properly compensated and supported even after they’re no longer on the bench.

“We wouldn’t have these sports at his high level of Black Athletes, let’s put it that way, were not on the pitch, on the field, on the hardwood.” 

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