AEG's LA Kings and LA Galaxy Participate in Alliance LA's First Unity March and Dialogue in Fight Against Racism
Panelists and Speakers featured AEG Sports Chief Operating Officer Kelly Cheeseman and LA Kings Professional Hockey Scout Blake Bolden, among others
On July 18, AEG’s LA Kings and LA Galaxy joined the nine other professional sports teams in Los Angeles that comprise THE ALLIANCE: Los Angeles in engaging in meaningful conversations with local youth and civic leaders during the first Alliance Unity March & Dialogue in the fight against racism.
The event was coordinated in partnership with Brotherhood Crusade and featured a youth-led march with community members and LAPD officers, that began at Exposition Park and ended at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles. Following the march participants enjoyed lunch while engaging with local leaders and hearing from panelists throughout the sports industry.
Speakers and panelists included Kelly Cheeseman, Chief Operating Officer of AEG Sports; LAPD Chief of Police Michel R. Moore; Lon Rosen, Executive Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer of the Los Angeles Dodgers; A.G. Spanos, President of Business Operations of the San Diego Chargers; and Benny Tran, LAFC Executive Vice President, Corporate Strategy & Development, among others.
“We were excited to celebrate the one-year anniversary of helping launch THE ALLIANCE: Los Angeles, and to continue collaborating to address racism and systemic inequities in the Los Angeles community and beyond,” said Kelly Cheeseman, chief operating officer, AEG Sports.
“It is imperative that our teams from AEG Sports, the LA Kings and LA Galaxy, not only be involved in these important community events, but be leaders and examples to our youth, along with our tremendous partners from all of the other teams throughout the city, who remain united in the fight against racism.”
Students also heard from LA Kings’ Blake Bolden the first Black woman to hold a scouting role in the National Hockey League (NHL), and the first Black professional women’s hockey player.
“The hard work continues. We said on Day One that our organization will responded quickly and work diligently to prioritize the eradication of racism and promote inclusion in our game and elsewhere,” said Bolden.
“The recurring evidence of systemic racism in our society remains and it is evident that we can do even more to contribute to systemic change. I remain hopeful however, for the future with the success of events such as the Alliance LA Unity March. It is inspiring to work alongside the 10 other sports and entertainment partners who collectively share that same vision.”
The Alliance LA was formed after the highly-publicized deaths of Black American citizens – most prominently George Floyd – to address the systematic issues that have plagued marginalized communities in Los Angeles. It is comprised of the 11 professional sports teams throughout Los Angeles including: Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Chargers, LA Clippers, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Football Club, LA Galaxy, LA Kings, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Sparks.
The event also commemorated the first year of The Alliance working together, in partnership the Play Equity Fund, a 501(c)3 public charity, established by the LA84 Foundation to drive social change through sport.
