KAT Wins award

(Minneapolis, MN) — The N-B-A announced Minnesota Timberwolves forward/center Karl-Anthony Towns has been named the 2023-24 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion. Towns becomes the first Timberwolves player and fourth recipient of the award since its inception in 2021. The annual award honors a current N-B-A player for pursuing social justice and upholding the league’s values of equality, respect and inclusion. Towns is being recognized for his work and advocacy in expanding voter rights in Minnesota. Towns played a pivotal role in the passing of Bill H-F 28 – Minnesota’s Restore the Vote bill, allowing formerly incarcerated individuals the right to vote alongside eligible voting Minnesotans. Towns used his platform and voice in support of the bill, while also spotlighting issues related to mass incarceration. Towns gave his time, participating in community conversations and met with the Minnesota Freedom Fund, New Justice Project, Minnesota Justice Research Center and All-Square, key organizations who helped shepherd the bill through the legislature. As the 2023-24 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion, a $100,000 donation will be made to the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities on Towns’ behalf to advance health equity among youth and support the mental wellbeing of Black and Brown communities as part of Towns’ 32 Wellness program. Towns was previously named a Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion finalist in 2022 for his social justice work following the murder of George Floyd.