Erie, Pennsylvania – Martin Luther King Jr. Day is officially one month away, with the day of observation serving as the official kickoff to a month-plus long celebration of Black history for the Erie Otters organization.
After the organization hosted its first-ever Martin Luther King Jr. Day Game on January 17, 2022 – a day that saw the Otters be part of Major Junior Hockey history – the new year will bring an even bigger celebration than ever before. For 2023, the Erie Otters and local non-profit organization Erie’s Black Wall Street have teamed up to for the team’s biggest observation of Black History Month – from education to on-ice activation and everything in between.
PARTNERSHIP WITH PURPOSE
The partnership between EBWS and the Otters will officially “launch” on Monday, January 16 on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, as the team hosts the MLK Day Game for their second season. Erie’s Black Wall Street will serve as the Non-Profit of the Night for the day, giving fans the opportunity to learn more about the organization’s mission and involvement in the community ahead of Black History Month.
During the entire month of February, the two organizations will collaborate on different educational workshops and activations to further educate and elevate Black voices and leaders off-and-on the ice. Executive Director & Co-Founder of Erie’s Black Wall Street Kyra Taylor spoke more on the importance of the partnership.
“We at Erie’s Black Wall Street strive to make sure Black people are represented and supported in all spaces, because we are not monolithic people. Thanks to the Erie Otters, we are breaking down one more barrier together.” said Taylor, “EBWS celebrates Black History daily, but thanks to the collaboration with the Erie Otters, we get to shed light on and recognize Black Excellence in the sport of hockey. “
As the organizations look forward to early 2023’s collaboration, fans are invited to keep an eye on social media for all the ways to learn more about EBWS’ work in the community.
BLACK HISTORY JERSEY TO OPEN, CLOSE THE MONTH OF OBSERVATION
On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Erie Otters will take the ice for pregame in a jersey inspired by Black history and culture. The Otters will wear this jersey once again for pregame during Black Ice Night (pres. by Erie’s Black Wall Street), with a post-game auction benefiting EBWS to close the month’s celebration.
The jersey & logo – to-be-unveiled closer to the MLK Day Game – was fully conceptualized and designed by influential Black artist in the hockey community, Jo (Jordan) Dabney. Dabney has received critical acclaim for her creation of the “Black Rosie” logo and jersey used by the Professional Hockey Federation’s Metropolitan Riveters, as well as Black Rosie Media – a community for Black women and melanated creators in sports media. Dabney was also the artist behind Black Girl Hockey Club‘s logo – an organization the Erie Otters have collaborated with in the past. Jo’s jersey and logo design was selected unanimously by council amongst many submissions received by a number of talented Black artists.
Jo Dabney’s design will be utilized not only on the Otters’ Black History Month warmup jersey, but will also be part of a limited-run merchandise series by Erie-based clothing brand, Erie Apparel. Proceeds from the limited-run series will go to benefit Erie’s Black Wall Street.
PENNSLYVANIAN TREY MATTHEWS SET TO CALL OTTERS SECOND MLK DAY GAME
Pushing boundaries and taking risks has never been something William ‘Trey’ Matthews has shied away from – it’s what got him into broadcasting hockey in the first place. The resident of Philadelphia will continue to do so on January 16, 2023 when he becomes the Second Black Play-by-Play Broadcaster in the 40+ year history of the Canadian Hockey League.
Matthews, a Graduate student at the illustrious Cronkite School at Arizona State University, will become the ‘Voice of the Otters’ during the team’s second Martin Luther King Jr. Day game – doing so in the same booth where history was made on the same holiday in 2022 by fellow-Pennsylvanian Alex Randall.
“Elevating Black voices in the sport of hockey is imperative – because people like me, Everett [Fitzhugh], or Alex don’t appear every day in a hockey press box. We want to get to a point where it’s viewed as a normal occurrence; in order to do that we need to continue to acknowledge Black voices in the sport of hockey, so that we inspire the next generation of minority announcers.” said Matthews, “It’s going to take some time, but right now is a good start.”
The opportunity comes for the Providence, R.I., born Matthews having called four years of college hockey for his alma mater, Adrian (MI) College – calling for the NCAA and ACHA Men’s and Women’s teams on ACTV – and now for Arizona State University. On November 12, Trey announced his first-ever NCAA D1 game for Arizona State Men’s Hockey on the school’s student radio station, Blaze Radio.
“This opportunity means the world to me, because it shows how far I’ve come as a hockey broadcaster. I’ve been ridiculed, unfairly criticized, and wasn’t given that many big game opportunities [in college]. So, I want to show everybody, not just people of color, that anything is possible.” said Matthews, “I went from not knowing the sport of hockey to now calling my first Major Junior game in just a short amount of time. All thanks to my hard work, dedication, colleagues, mentors, and a never-give-up attitude.”
With the chance to broadcast a Major Junior game in his ‘home state’, Matthews hopes to continue climbing the ladder of hockey broadcasting, and following in the footsteps of Black Play-by-Play voices in hockey like his mentor Everett Fitzhugh (Seattle Kraken), Jason Ross Jr. (Chicago Blackhawks), and the CHL’s first Black Play-by-Play voice Alex Randall (University of Pittsburgh).
“In the words of Everett, ‘I don’t think anybody sets out to be the first in anything.’, I certainly didn’t anticipate myself being called a “trailblazer” in the Canadian Hockey League, but I’m honored nonetheless. It’s so surreal that my voice is now going to be out there for all to hear.” said Matthews, “I was actually well aware of Alex Randall becoming the first Black announcer in the CHL, and now I get to follow in his footsteps and become the second. I hope to inspire the next Black hockey announcer in line. Similar to how Everett and others have inspired me.”
“When it comes to my broadcast, expect a lot of energy and just a high passion for the sport of hockey.” said Matthews, “I always say that my energy is always on an 11. I love my job and I’m not afraid to share it on air.”
Matthews will serve as the Television Play-by-Play voice of the Otters on OHL Live on CHL TV, while “Voice of the Otters” Shawn Bednard will handle radio responsibilities on the Otters Radio Network.
“Every opportunity we have to use our organization’s platform for good, and to push the envelope for inclusivity and progressiveness in hockey is an opportunity worth doing. I’m thrilled that our work to continue elevating Black Play-by-Play voices can continue for the second-straight year, as we continue to push the barriers of broadcasting in Major Junior Hockey.” said Bednard “It’s even more exciting to be able to elevate a broadcaster well on his way to a professional broadcasting career in Trey. He’s a passionate, energetic, humble, and talented up-and-coming broadcaster, and I’m thrilled to hear his call of our game on January 16.”
Fans will be able to watch and listen to Matthews’ historic call on Monday, January 16, 2023 at 2 P.M. on CHL TV.
EDUCATION, DISCUSSION TO BE FOCUS OF MONTH’S CELEBRATIONS
As part of the Otters’ partnership with Erie’s Black Wall Street, the two organizations will come together to put an emphasis on the Black perspective, education and discussion on Black culture and history, and elevate the underrepresented voices in the hockey community. This will come through a variety of means during the month.
Kicking off Black History Month proper, the Erie Otters will host on their social media a Color of Hockey Webinar on Wednesday, February 1. Bringing in Black leaders and ambassadors from the hockey community on-and-off the ice, this webinar will focus on the importance of celebrating Black history, elevating voices, and looking ahead to the future. Official panel to be unveiled in early 2023.
At the School Day Game (pres. by UPMC Health Plan & UPMC Hamot) on Thursday, February 2, the Otters will once again distribute Educational Workbooks to students in attendance. In the workbooks’ Color of Hockey section, Erie’s Black Wall Street and the Erie Otters will spotlight Black trailblazers and historic figures in hockey’s history.
In the month of February, the entire Erie Otters team will be part of racial education and Black history workshops put on by Erie’s Black Wall Street and member organizations. These workshops will give the Otters organization the opportunity to learn about the importance of Black History Month and about Black culture.
OTTERS TO HOST BLACK ICE NIGHT (pres. by Erie’s Black Wall Street)
Black Ice Night (pres. by Erie’s Black Wall Street) will work as a celebration of the barriers broken in Erie and in the game of hockey, and as a promise to continue to push the envelope for change for the future. The game serves as a ceremonial close to Black History Month, taking place on the final day of the month – Tuesday, February 28.
The game night will feature a Black-owned small business vendor fair around the concourse, recognition of member businesses and organizations of Erie’s Black Wall Street, a ceremonial puck drop representative from the organization, and much more to be announced.
For the final time in 2023, the Erie Otters will take the ice in their Black History Month signature jerseys. Following the game’s conclusion, the player-worn jerseys will be auctioned off, with all proceeds benefitting Erie’s Black Wall Street.
Erie’s efforts and celebration for Black History Month are made possible alongside Erie’s Black Wall Street. Please consider a donation to EBWS’ effort in elevating and empowering Black Individuals, Businesses, and Organizations by heading to EriesBlackWallStreet.org. Erie’s Black Wall Street was founded to serve as a vehicle for change and empowerment of Erie’s Black Community through cultivating meaningful relationships, education of members, the creation of social networks and the promotion of black entrepreneurship.
To support future Black broadcasters, please consider a donation to the Black Play-by-Play Fund’s Scholarship Fund by heading to BlackPxPFund.com. Founded in 2020, the Black Play-by-Play Fund is a registered 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization with the mission of elevating and supporting up-and-coming Black broadcasters in all sports. All donations made to the Black Play-by-Play Fund are tax-deductible.
Kente Cloth Otters Logo used in the above graphic was designed by Robert C. as part of the Black History Month Logo/Jersey design contest. He was a finalist in the selection. Additional activations, events, and collaborations for the Erie Otters’ celebration of Black History Month are to-be announced, and all events are subject to change.
For the latest Otters news, visit OttersHockey.com, or follow the team on Facebook (Facebook.com/erieottershockey), Twitter (@ErieOtters), and Instagram (@ErieOtters).
For further information on the Erie Otters and for media inquiries, please contact Shawn Bednard at shawn.bednard@ottershockey.com.
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