The Washington Wizards and Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation announced Monday their partnership with Realize the Dream, a national initiative to foster unity and empower communities across America through community service.
Realize the Dream is a collaboration between the Martin Luther King III Foundation and Legacy+.
Martin Luther King III, eldest son of the slain civil rights leader, emphasized the partnership’s significance.
“This partnership with the Washington Wizards and Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation is a powerful reminder that, when we come together with purpose and a commitment to serve, we can achieve meaningful progress,” he said. “Realize the Dream is about transforming my father’s — Dr. King’s — legacy into a living, breathing movement that inspires acts of service and empowers communities to create lasting change. We are deeply grateful for this opportunity to amplify the call to serve and make an impact.”
Arndrea Waters King, King III’s wife, highlighted the collaboration’s potential.
“We are honored to partner with the Washington Wizards and Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation in furthering the vision of Realize the Dream,” she said. “This collaboration underscores the extraordinary potential of service to bring people together and drive meaningful progress. Realize the Dream is about turning intention into action, inspiring individuals and communities to step forward and contribute to a more just and equitable world. Together, we are carrying forward a legacy that challenges us all to serve and lead with purpose.”
Since its launch in January, Realize the Dream has focused on advancing its mission across the United States through community service, movement building, and engagement. Initiatives include empowering educators and students through curricular resources on well-being and mental health, financial literacy, STEM and social entrepreneurship, along with providing youth community service grants and establishing a National U.S. Youth Council.
As part of this partnership, Washington and MSEF will continue to engage the Washington metropolitan area through community service. Past activities include Wizards staff and partners helping sort and pack food meal boxes at Capital Area Food Bank.
The team will honor Dr. King’s legacy on Thursday when the Phoenix Suns visit Capital One Arena. Tipoff is at 7 p.m.
The Wizards will hold a halftime presentation with King III and his wife to commemorate the partnership announcement.
Fans can visit a King legacy pathway at Section 115 on the concourse to view displays, pictures and videos of King throughout his life.
On Jan. 20 during Howard University’s annual MLK Classic basketball game, MSEF will present $5,000 scholarship donations to one student attending King’s alma mater, Morehouse College, and one Howard University student. The Leonsis Family and Jeff Skoll will each match MSEF’s donation, providing $15,000 to each student.
The MLK Classic is an annual game between Howard University and Morehouse College celebrating King’s life and legacy. He received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Howard in 1957.