UCC, Hear My Cries Host Empowering Juneteenth Youth Basketball Tourney
United Community Corporation (UCC), in partnership with Hear My Cries, celebrated Juneteenth this year by fostering efforts to empower young men across greater Newark through a basketball tournament.
The “2024 Juneteenth Youth Basketball Tournament! Juneteenth Youth Unity Day” tournament, which was held at West Side Park Community Center in Newark, was coordinated by UCC's Community-based Violence Intervention (CBVI) program and Hear My Cries, a Newark-based nonprofit which assists women impacted by gun violence. The event aimed to provide a supportive, fun environment for the tournament participants and their families. Throughout the day’s basketball competitions, the young men got to hear from motivational speakers and were treated to a live music performance by local artist Trece7ev. The event served as an opportunity to encourage positive behavior and community unity.
"We were able to provide a safe environment for the players and their families. They were able to listen to motivational speakers and receive giveaways. Our goal was to engage the community to celebrate Juneteenth and to limit them from getting in trouble as the summer is approaching."
Bryant Neal, a CBVI Prevention Specialist at UCC, praised the event's impact and noted it was a success, stating, "We were able to provide a safe environment for the players and their families. They were able to listen to motivational speakers and receive giveaways. Our goal was to engage the community to celebrate Juneteenth and to limit them from getting in trouble as the summer is approaching."
The tournament exemplified the shared mission of UCC and Hear My Cries to nurture local youth, reduce violence, and promote positive community engagement. Through sportsmanship and camaraderie, the young participants not only showcased their basketball skills but also learned valuable life lessons from the guest speakers who emphasized resilience and determination.
UCC remains committed to creating impactful programs and events that benefit the greater Newark community, fostering an environment where youth can thrive and grow.
The participants also got to hear from Hear My Cries Founder Felicia "Lisa" James, who thanked everyone for taking part in the event. She noted that beyond the day’s basketball competitions, the event held greater significance for the young men on the court.
“Today is about unity,” James said. “We are here for the youth to make sure that each and every one of you get what you deserve.”
United Community Corporation
"Moving people from dependency to self-sufficiency"