Together We Are Basketball - campaign celebrates equality, diversity and inclusion

Basketball England’s (BE) #TogetherWeAreBasketball campaign celebrates equality, diversity and inclusion (ED&I) within England’s basketball community at touchpoints throughout the year, elevating voices and highlighting people’s lived experiences. 

The campaign is guided by BE’s ED&I Committee, which is made up of independent, knowledgeable, inspirational and skilled individuals from within and outside basketball that support, advise and challenge the organisation to take a stronger approach to tackling discrimination and promoting fairness and respect across the sport. 

A Campaigns and Projects sub-committee, headed up by Dartford Tigers Basketball Club’s Sten Mayunga and supported by Zach Meekings, Carl Ntifo and James Swanson, ensures #TogetherWeAreBasketball aligns with BE’s commitment to inclusivity. 

#TogetherWeAreBasketball prioritises the following important awareness milestones across the year, where original content is created to showcase the power of the basketball community: 

  • International Women’s Day – March 
  • Pride Month - June 
  • South Asian Heritage Month – July/August 
  • Black History Month - October 
  • World Mental Health Day - October 
  • International Day of Persons with Disabilities - December 
  • International Day of Basketball – December  

BE also supports, creates and shares content across its digital channels for many other awareness campaigns, touching on a wide variety of important topics, including mental and physical health and well-being, anti-doping, safeguarding, coaching, officiating, volunteering, children and young people and celebrating major religious holidays.  

On behalf of its partners, BE supports their campaigns and shares information and resources pertinent to the basketball community.  

ED&I Committee Chair Brandie Deignan said: 

“Over the last few seasons, we have worked with the ED&I Committee, and BE’s ED&I Manager Alfred Nelson and National Campaigns Manager Jake Wright, to bring a renewed focus and well-planned direction to the #TogetherWeAreBasketball campaign.  

“It was largely established as part of the Black Lives Matter movement of 2020, where BE reasserted its pledge in opposing hate – through governance and communication content policies. 

“After consultation with the Committee, it was decided that a campaign to listen and elevate voices from the basketball community – some which have not been heard for many years – was a priority.  

“Through its digital platforms, and under the #TogetherWeAreBasketball banner, BE aims to produce content and storytelling that shows the basketball community’s power.  

“Of course, meaningful original content can’t always be produced for every awareness campaign, so we have prioritised seven main touch points that align most with the make-up of our community.  

“English basketball is packed with human interest stories and fascinating, life-affirming lived experiences, and we will continue to tell them.”  

The overarching vision for Basketball England’s communication work is to grow, support, engage and reflect the basketball family. 

Part of that work includes campaigns to increase the awareness and profile of basketball as an inspiring, inclusive and life-changing sport, with accessible opportunities for everyone to start, stay and continue to be involved in the game no matter the role or level. 

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