Yesterday, as a way to give back this holiday season, REFORM Alliance and the Philadelphia 76ers hosted a special VIP experience before and during the 76ers’ game vs. the Miami Heat for more than 25 children who have been negatively impacted by an unjust probation system (have a parent in prison for technical probation violations, have a parent who has been incarcerated for technical probation violations or had their probation extended due to a technical probation violation).
The afternoon started with REFORM Alliance co-founders Michael Rubin and Meek Mill, Philadelphia 76ers managing partner Josh Harris, Grammy-nominated recording artist Lil Baby as well as Charli and Dixie D’Amelio, Marc and Heidi D’Amelio, REFORM CEO Robert Rooks and former 76er World B. Free surprising the kids with custom uniforms and playing basketball with them on the Philadelphia 76ers court at The Center.
Ahead of the game, the children also had the opportunity to sit alongside the celebrities for a private dinner, take part in an intimate Q&A with 76ers head coach Doc Rivers, watch player warmups from the court and receive an incredible holiday package of 76ers fan gear from Fanatics. To cap the evening, REFORM Alliance and the 76ers allowed the children to split time by watching the game courtside and from a private VIP suite. Later on Saturday, Dec. 18, REFORM co-founder Clara Wu Tsai will host a similar giveback with the Brooklyn Nets and New York Liberty at Barclays Center to treat children from community-based organizations focused on supporting mothers currently or formerly incarcerated to a special experience.
REFORM and its Board started this holiday tradition in 2019 (the event was canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic), which provided children who have been negatively impacted by the criminal justice system with a one-of-a-kind holiday experience. The event included a shopping spree at the NBA Store in NYC with Rubin, Meek and Wu Tsai, followed by a trip to watch a Patriots home game and meet with Patriots owner and REFORM co-founder Robert Kraft.
As you may know, Rubin, Meek, Kraft, Tsai – alongside other co-founders – launched the REFORM Alliance, an organization committed to transforming probation and parole throughout the United States by changing laws, systems, and culture. The nonprofit organization formed in the aftermath of Meek’s controversial two-to-four-year prison sentence for technical probation violations (he went to prison for NOT committing a crime) in November 2017.
photo credit Shareif Ziyadat
© 2021, Seth "Digital Crates" Barmash. All rights reserved.
