NANCY LIEBERMAN CHARITIES UNVEIL "DREAM COURT™" AT OAK CLIFF YMCA
Nancy Lieberman Charities Unveil “Dream Court™” at the Oak Cliff YMCA in Honor of Former Texas Tech and NBA Player Andre Emmett
The renovated basketball court is in memory of the Carter High School graduate tragically murdered in 2019; will serve the children of the Oak Cliff community
DALLAS (August 7, 2020) – The Oak Cliff YMCA was awarded a new outdoor basketball court – a Nancy Lieberman Charities Dream Court,™ that was unveiled today during a ceremony at the Oak Cliff Y. Donated in partnership with Toyota, the court honors former professional basketball player and Texas Tech Hall of Famer Andre Emmett.
Andre Emmett grew up in Oak Cliff and graduated from Carter High School, less than two miles away from the Oak Cliff Y. He was a standout basketball player at Texas Tech, earning a spot in the school’s Hall of Fame. After college, he played professional basketball for several years including two stints in the NBA with the Grizzlies and Nets. Andre was also a father to two young girls. He was tragically murdered outside of his home in Dallas in September 2019. This court was installed in honor of Andre who wanted to help children in his hometown of Dallas and before his death, established a foundation in Dallas to accomplish that mission.
Through the Nancy Lieberman Foundation’s Dream Court™ program, Nancy Lieberman is able to fulfill her dream of building high-quality basketball courts in underserved areas. The goal of the Dream Court™ program is to provide children in economically disadvantaged communities with a safe area to play basketball, participate in free basketball clinics, interact socially, and learn important lessons about teamwork and good sportsmanship. This new Dream Court™ in Oak Cliff is one of few nationwide. Each is uniquely designed for the community with different logos and graphics.
At the dedication event, Nancy Lieberman, Mayor Eric Johnson, Dallas Police Chief Renee Hall, Dallas Councilman Casey Thomas, Andre’s mother Regina Oliver, Keith Vinson from the YMCA, Mike Goss, the President of the Toyota Foundation, and Chris Arnold, Voice of the Dallas Mavericks, were on hand to unveil the new court to the community.
“On behalf of the Oak Cliff Family YMCA, we are honored to be chosen to receive this special gift, a lasting legacy in honor of Andre,” said Keith Vinson, Vice President of Operations for the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas. “The Oak Cliff Y is a gathering place for so many in our community, including youth who come together to play basketball. Every day you can easily find 30-50 kids playing at a time at multiple points throughout the day and our court was truly in need of an upgrade. This new state-of-the-art basketball court will give kids in the community a safe place to play basketball. We want to thank the Nancy Lieberman foundation and Toyota for this generous gift that will allow kids in this community a special place to come together and learn the importance of teamwork, friendship and good sportsmanship.”
“This Dream Court might be the most important one we’ve ever opened because of my love and friendship with Andre Emmett. He loved this community and wanted to be a great servant leader. We are here to fill full his dreams.” Said Basketball Hall of Famer, Nancy Lieberman
After the unveiling of the sports court, the Oak Cliff Y hosted free drive-thru COVID-19 testing from WellHealth and provided free food from EveryoneEats for community members to pick up.
About the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas
The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas serves thousands of men, women and children each year, regardless of age, income or background. Anchored in 21 North Texas communities, the Dallas Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. The Y ensures all people have equitable access to the essentials needed to become thriving members of the community. Daily, the Y bridges and fills individual and community needs as a catalyst for impactful change. The YMCA makes accessible the support and opportunities that empower people and communities to learn, grow and thrive, with three areas of focus: Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility. To learn more or get involved in improving our local communities, have opportunities to make an impact and support your neighbors, please visit us at www.ymcadallas.org.
About Nancy Lieberman Charities
Nancy Lieberman Charities was established in 2009 with the mission to provide a healthy physical, emotional and mental environment for young girls and boys to build their self-esteem and confidence so they will be able to make the right choices in the future. Nancy Lieberman is dedicated to expanding and ensuring that educational and sports opportunities exist for youth through her basketball camps and clinics, Dream Court projects, college scholarships, backpack and laptop programs. Find us online at nancyliebermancharities.org on Facebook at @NancyLiebermanCharities, on Twitter @NLCharities and on Instagram at @NLCharities
CONTACTS Traci Choate, Nancy Lieberman Charities, 325.347.2161, traci@nancyliebermancharities.org
Lori Hamamoto, Tony Fay PR/ Nancy Lieberman Charities, 917.270.2787, lori@tonyfaypr.com
Kristin Welsh, Allyn Media/YMCA, 214.871.7723
kristin@allynmedia.com