NEW YORK – As part of the NBA All-Star celebration in New York City this February, the National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) will team up with Benjamin Moore and Publicolor to transform the alma mater of Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famers Nate “Tiny” Archibald and Dolph Schayes. On Saturday, February 14 from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx, Archibald and Schayes will be honored for their legacies by NBRPA Board Members Thurl Bailey and Dwight Davis, as well as NBRPA Ambassador Teresa Weatherspoon (4-time WNBA All-Star with New York Liberty), 18-year NBA veteran Danny Schayes (Dolph’s son) and NBRPA New York City Chapter President Tom Hoover (New York Knicks). Following a short ceremony, these former players and dozens more (as well as their family members) will work alongside youth from Publicolor and DeWitt Clinton High School, community volunteers and leaders from Benjamin Moore to revitalize common areas of the 118 year old New York City public school.
“Tiny Archibald (DeWitt Clinton Class of 1966) and Dolph Schayes (DeWitt Clinton Class of 1945) are two of the greatest basketball players ever to emerge from New York City,” said NBRPA President & CEO Arnie D. Fielkow. ”As the professional basketball community converges on New York to celebrate NBA All-Star 2015, we couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate their outstanding playing careers and commitment to community than to unite with Benjamin Moore and Publicolor in service at DeWitt Clinton High School.”
Raised in the South Bronx's Patterson housing projects, Archibald emerged from one NYC’s toughest neighborhoods to become an NBA Champion, six-time NBA All-Star and one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History. Dolph Schayes was one nation’s first true basketball superstars, going from DeWitt Clinton to New York University to the Syracuse Nationals (now Philadelphia 76ers) of the NBA, where he was an NBA Champion, 12-time NBA All-Star and one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.
"Through a year-round continuum of unique design-based programs that include transforming dreary environments into ones that convey dignity and respect, Publicolor addresses two of the root causes of poverty: the under-education of New York City students and their lack of preparedness for the workforce. We are delighted to partner with Benjamin Moore and the National Basketball Retired Players Association in a day of meaningful civic engagement benefitting DeWitt Clinton High School's entire community," said Ruth Lande Shuman, Founder and President of Publicolor.
“Benjamin Moore is thrilled to bring together two service-oriented organizations – the National Basketball Retired Players Association and Publicolor – that share our vision for making a positive and lasting impact through education in our communities,” said Kimberlee Bradshaw, Managing Director of The Giving Moore Foundation. “Our roots began in New York City more than 130 years ago so we are proud to continue our legacy of beautifying and enriching the community around DeWitt Clinton High School.”
Benjamin Moore donated the paint and sundries for this special project as the company is the official paint sponsor of Publicolor, an award-winning not-for-profit that engages at-risk youth in their education through a continuum of design-based education programs, academic support, and weekly career-readiness and life skills workshops. The Hall of Famers will be joined by additional former NBA, ABA, Harlem Globetrotters and WNBA players to give the second floor of DeWitt Clinton a much-needed facelift and share life lessons with the students between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on February 14. Another great DeWitt Clinton alum from the Bronx – Ollie Taylor, who also played for the Brooklyn (then New York) Nets – will participate in the event, as will former New York Knicks All-Star Micheal Ray Richardson, Emmette “Em” Bryant (New York Knicks/Boston Celtics), Willie Burton (Miami Heat), David Wingate (New York Knicks), Jack Marin (Washington Bullets), Matt Fish (Los Angeles Clippers), Ken Gardner (Utah Stars) and Tom Kerwin (Golden State Warriors).
About the National Basketball Retired Players Association
The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) is comprised of former professional basketball players from the NBA, ABA, Harlem Globetrotters and WNBA. It is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization with a two-pronged mission to assist former NBA, ABA, Harlem Globetrotters and WNBA players in their transition from the playing court into life after the game, while also positively impacting communities and youth through basketball. The NBRPA was founded in 1992 by basketball legends Dave DeBusschere, Dave Bing, Archie Clark, Dave Cowens and Oscar Robertson. The NBRPA works in direct partnerships with the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association. Arnie D. Fielkow is the President & CEO, and the NBRPA Board of Directors includes Chairman of the Board Otis Birdsong, Vice Chairman Thurl Bailey, Treasurer Marvin Roberts, Secretary Steve Hayes, Past Chairman Robert A. (Bob) Elliott, Past Chairman George Tinsley, Rick Barry, Dwight Davis, Spencer Haywood, Nancy Lieberman, Johnny Newman and Eldridge Recasner.
About Publicolor
Publicolor is a not-for-profit organization that engages at-risk students in their education and communities, and empowers them to realize their potential. Through a continuum of youth development/educational programs, Publicolor guides students in planning and preparing for college and careers. This all starts by teaching them to paint vibrant colors in their institutional-looking schools turning their prison-like schools into visually stimulating, student-centric environments. By teaching the marketable skill of commercial painting, students also acquire strong work habits that are transferable to success in school, career and life. Publicolor’s programs run year-round with a 7 week summer literacy and math immersion program called Summer Design Studio that they teach through the scaffold of product design. This is a work/study program where students create products in the mornings on Pratt Institute’s Brooklyn campus. Publicolor deliberately holds it at a college so their students feel comfortable in a college setting, and spend their afternoons painting city-owned homeless shelters. To ensure that their students continue their studies after high school, Publicolor has a community service scholarship fund that removes the main obstacle that separates low-income students from a college degree . Some of Publicolor’s recent achievements are: 2014 National Arts+Humanities Youth Program Award; 97% of Publicolor students graduated high school on time compared to 66% citywide; 94% went on to college versus 51% of their peers of a similar demographic and 94% persist in college versus 51% of students of similar demographic nationwide.
About Benjamin Moore & Co.
Benjamin Moore & Co., a Berkshire Hathaway company, was founded in 1883. One of North America's leading manufacturers of premium quality residential, commercial and industrial maintenance coatings, Benjamin Moore maintains a relentless commitment to sustainable manufacturing practices and continues to develop the most eco-responsible formulations possible. In 2012, the company's Natura® paint received the Green Good Housekeeping Seal, acknowledging its high degree of sustainability plus rigorously tested performance. Other superior products in the Benjamin Moore Green Promise® portfolio include Aura, Regal Select, ben® and Ultra Spec® 500 paint for commercial interiors — all built upon our patented Gennex® platform that has changed the industry and earned the passion and loyalty of homeowners and professional painters by delivering extremely low-VOC and peerless beauty and performance. J.D. Power and Associates 2014 Interior Paint Satisfaction Study ranked Benjamin Moore highest in consumer satisfaction, marking the fourth consecutive year and fifth time the company has earned this rating. Benjamin Moore paints deliver authentic Benjamin Moore colors and are available exclusively from Benjamin Moore's network of paint and decorating dealers.
Contacts
Paul Corliss
Vice President of Communications & Marketing
National Basketball Retired Players Association
917-621-5744
pcorliss@legendsofbasketball.com
Kelly Sinatra
Public Relations Manager
Benjamin Moore & Co.
pressrequests@benjaminmoore.com
Jonathan Marder
Publicolor
jon.marder@gsmltd.net
Cindy Mercer
President
Trinity Sports Partners
CindyMercer@trinitysports.biz