Synergy: Tsais' Social Justice Fund supports $1.4M renovation of basketball courts in three Brooklyn parks, with murals honoring New York Liberty & Brooklyn Nets

From a 10/6/23 New York City Parks Department press release, NYC PARKS JOINS BROOKLYN NETS AND NEW YORK LIBERTY TO CELEBRATE BASKETBALL COURT IMPROVEMENTS IN THREE BROOKLYN NEIGHBORHOODS:

In partnership with NYC Parks, the $1.4M investment upgrades courts in neighborhoods with acute levels of gun violence as part of the Social Justice Fund’s racial justice initiative

Today, NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue joined Brooklyn Nets and New York Liberty owner--as well as founder of the Social Justice Fund--Clara Wu Tsai, City Council Member Farah Louis, and members of the community at Fox Playground to celebrate the renovation of basketball courts in three parks throughout Brooklyn. The renovated basketball courts have been upgraded with new rims and backboards, improved playing surfaces, and vibrant murals honoring the Liberty and Nets, beautifying the spaces and creating a safe environment for youth recreation.

In addition to Fox Playground in Flatlands, the project includes renovations to basketball courts at the Breukelen Ballfields in East New York and in Sunset Park. The three sites were selected in consultation with NYC Parks as part of the Social Justice Fund’s racial justice initiative. By targeting these investments in neighborhoods with acute levels of gun violence, as well as in the Social Justice Fund’s corporate backyard of Sunset Park, NYC Parks and the Social Justice Fund aim to provide a new resource for local gun violence prevention initiatives. Anti-gun violence programming will be provided at the courts by Foster Park Sports, expanding healthy and safe opportunities for local youth.

(Emphases added) 

Social justice synergy

It's worth noting that, while the project was funded by $1.4 million from the Joe and Clara Tsai Foundation’s Social Justice Fund, the banner in the back of the photo advertises "Brooklyn Basketball" and the Parks Department's headline cites the Brooklyn Nets and New York Liberty, owned by the Tsais.

In other words, the Social Justice Fund as grantmaker is aligned with the businesses in the Tsais' portfolio. After all, the upgraded basketball courts include murals "honoring"--er, advertising--the Brooklyn Nets and New York Liberty.

Previous playground projects

This would not be the first time in the history of the Brooklyn arena project that charity was deployed to advance an agenda. 

Some with long memories may recall that, before the opening of the arena in 2012, the arena operator and naming rights sponsor also made contributions to renovate playgrounds, sometimes claiming credit for work funded mainly by others, yet gaining credit in signage.

The Barclays/Nets Community Alliance was formed by Barclays Capital, arena developer Forest City Ratner, and the (then-) New Jersey Nets, as I wrote 8/13/08 quoting a proposal document,  aiming to "leverage the Nets with FCRC and BARCLAYS to create a positive perception of landmark partnerships."

In other words, they'd give away $5 million--$1 million a year--with the twin goals of helping the disadvantaged communities and, not coincidentally, reaping some public relations rewards. That's also social justice, right?

Current project

The current project adds "anti-gun violence programming" by Foster Park Sports, which runs basketball camps and clinics. (While two of the playgrounds are in or near precincts in the city's top ten in terms of gun violence, Sunset Park is not.)

Note that the parent Joe and Clara Tsai Foundation describes its organizers as "visionary pragmatists looking for smart, scalable solutions that create positive social impact," which the Social Justice Fund is "Centering Economic Mobility and Racial Justice for BIPOC populations in Brooklyn."

Is it racial/social justice to fix up playgrounds in underserved areas with Black and Latino populations? Sure, since those terms can be defined very broadly. But shouldn't it be justice to deliver competent public service to all citizens?

From the Social Justice Fund's About page:

We will fund pilots and programs that are scalable, and which address systemic imbalances and root causes that produce racial gaps in education, health and wealth. Mentorship of young men and women of color will continue to be an emphasis. Access to capital for BIPOC and women-owned small businesses, and skills training to improve job mobility and wage trajectories will be initial areas of focus. We will also address immediate needs created by COVID-19, which has disproportionately impacted communities in Brooklyn.

About basketball

The press release contined this quote:

“Basketball is part of the fabric of our borough," said Clara Wu Tsai, Vice Chair of BSE Global and owner of the Brooklyn Nets and the New York Liberty. "Basketball courts are more than just a place to hoop; they’re spaces for young people to discover the power – and joy – of teammanship, collaboration, shared victories, and belonging.”

The press release notes that work at the Breukelen Ballfields is anticipated to be completed this fall, while renovations at Fox Playground and Sunset Park have already been completed.