The Hawks' second annual Model of Shaping Atlanta through Inclusive Conversations (MOSAIC) symposium "brought together about 300 influential Atlanta residents" yesterday to "network and listen to panelists speak on the role that sports leaders play in diversity in local communities," according to Jewel Wicker of the ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION. Hawks Senior VP/Community and Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer Nzinga Shaw, who put the event together, "believes when sports organizations ignore what’s going on in the world they run the risk of coming off as inauthentic." Moderated by The Undefeated’s Marc Spears, the first panel featured Basketball HOFer and Hawks VP/Basketball Dominique Wilkins, former NFLer Takeo Spikes, former NBAer Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, ESPN Senior Dir of Communications Keri Potts and Hawks G Thabo Sefolosha. Shaw moderated a second panel that addressed the role of athletes to how sports execs can "effectively tackle diversity." On the panel were Lightning VP/HR Keith Harris, Falcons Assistant GM Scott Pioli, Hawks CMO Melissa Proctor and WNBA Dream President Theresa Wenzel (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 3/15).
TWEETS FROM THE EVENT: TV producer Will Packer: "Amazing inclusion and diversity panel sponsored by the @ATLHawks." Hawks F Thabo Sefolosha: "Honored 2have been part of such a distinguished panel yesterday! Great conversation on social change and what all of us can do." Politician and lawyer Bakari Sellers: "Excited to keynote #HawksMOSAIC. But this first panel ... 🔥🔥🔥" Motivational speaker Octavia Samuels: "Loving the highlight and celebration of #HBCU grads during #hawksmosaic."
