Celtics unveil $25 million, 10-year plan to combat racial inequity

The Boston Celtics announced their 10-year plan to combat racial and social inequity in the greater Boston area on Tuesday evening.

The Boston Celtics revealed their plans Tuesday evening for the creation of “Boston Celtics United”, a decade-long, $25 million pledge to address racial injustice and social inequality in the greater Boston area.

In a city known less for the groundbreaking work the Celtics have done in furthering race relations than what some fans have done in complicating them in one of the northeast’s most segregated cities, the news is most welcome.

In conjunction with the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation, the franchise announced the project, which is to have “an emphasis on combating issues that have impacted the Black community as a result of the nation’s long-term history of systemic racism,” according to an article published by the team.

The team will contribute $25 million in the next 10 years to spend in six key areas over the coming decade that include:

1) Equity in Education; 2) Economic Opportunity and Empowerment; 3) Equity in Healthcare; 4) Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement; 5) Breaking Down Barriers and Building Bridges Between Communities; and 6) Voting and Civic Engagement.

These six areas were identified through extensive research conducted by the team’s front office, coaches, owner, players, and “leaders in community organizations, government, academia, and social justice.”

“We feel both the urgency of the moment and the weight of the centuries of injustices as we undertake this critically important work,” said Celtics Governor and Chairman of the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation Steve Pagliuca.

“The Boston Celtics have a proud legacy of being on the right side of racial and social justice, and we are more resolved than ever to take that commitment to another level. Our goal is to do everything we can to achieve progress on each of the targeted pillars, and we will work tirelessly to make real change.”

Outspoken activist and Celtics forward Jaylen Brown concurs; “Our goal is to have a direct impact now,” said Brown.

“We don’t need to pacify the situation with empty gestures,” he added.

“We need to hold ourselves, the Celtics organization, and the city of Boston accountable. Monetary commitment is a great first step, but we need to commit to this process by creating a balance of short and long-term change.”

“The time is now,” he added.

At the Celtics Wire, we couldn’t agree more.

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