We will focus on the inequities here in Brooklyn and work to support economic mobility within BIPOC communities across the borough.
Joe Tsai and Clara Wu Tsai
OUR HISTORY
In 2020, the Joe and Clara Tsai Foundation launched the Social Justice Fund in Brooklyn, New York, with a commitment to fight for Racial Justice and plan for the economic recovery of the Borough in the post-Covid era.
Their message was simple: We stand in solidarity with the Black community, and all Indigenous people and People of Color, to end racism in our organization and in our society.
OUR FOCUS
Racial injustice continues to be pervasive in society, and systemic imbalances must be addressed by the government, the private sector, and individuals. We will focus on the inequities here in Brooklyn and work to support economic mobility within BIPOC communities across the borough.
We believe Barclays Center, the Brooklyn Nets, and New York Liberty can become symbols of how we move forward together as a country. We will provide the resources to accelerate change. We hope to lead by example by supporting our athletes, employees, and community in anti-racist work.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to use our platform to bring people together around a shared commitment to inclusiveness, justice, and equal opportunity. Our goal is to promote a society where people of all backgrounds can acknowledge differences and share common values without fear. We will promote a culture of belonging, and our community will be a place for dialogue, respect, and empathy.
THE PLAN
The Social Justice Fund is driven by a $50 million commitment made by the Joe and Clara Tsai Foundation to work toward Racial Justice and Economic Mobility in Brooklyn over the coming ten years. We work on social justice initiatives and make community investments in Brooklyn's BIPOC—especially black—community.
THE HOW
We are committed to listening and learning from community members, our players, and our employees as we design and implement initiatives. We will fund pilots and programs that are scalable, and which address systemic imbalances and root causes that produce racial gaps in education, health and wealth. Mentorship of young men and women of color will continue to be an emphasis. Access to capital for BIPOC and women-owned small businesses, and skills training to improve job mobility and wage trajectories will be initial areas of focus. We will also address immediate needs created by COVID-19, which has disproportionately impacted communities in Brooklyn.
THE COMMUNITY
We aspire to leverage the unique space of Barclays Center and the Nets and Liberty to support the Brooklyn community’s shared desire for justice. We will be visible in our efforts to create ongoing and consistent community dialogue around social justice and to convene experts from various disciplines to engage in meaningful conversation. In partnership with law enforcement, we will encourage the Plaza at Barclays Center (corner of Flatbush and Atlantic) to continue to serve as a place for peaceful gatherings and for all constituents to listen to each other.
OUR VOICE
As Governors of one of 30 NBA and 12 WNBA teams, we are stewards of important community institutions. Through our access to the Governors of other teams in both leagues, we will work with the NBA/WNBA League Offices and the leadership of NBA/WNBA teams to create opportunities for dialogue in order to coalesce around shared values. We will initiate regular conversations among team Governors and leadership to share ideas and discuss progress on implementing diversity and anti- racism programs in their respective organizations.
