Anthony Benavides is a founding member of the Clark Park Coalition which was established in 1991 to re-open the Clark Park Recreation Center and Ice Rink to provide recreational programming for community youth in southwest Detroit. He has served as the Center Director since 1994. In the summer of 2021, the Clark Park Coalition served nearly 200 community youth through baseball and softball.

Mr. Benavides holds a bachelor's degree in physical education from Wayne State University and has received various awards including being a finalist in 2019 for the NHL Willie O'Ree Community Hero Award as well as receiving awards from Major League Baseball, the Detroit Pistons, and the NFL. Mr. Benavides was born and raised in Detroit and currently resides three blocks from Clark Park with his wife. He is the proud father of a daughter and twin sons who grew up playing baseball, softball, and hockey at Clark Park.

Naomi Howrani is a graduate of Divine Child High School and the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. After college, she spent 3 years working in Washington, DC in the consulting industry and later spent a year abroad teaching in Thailand.

Upon her return to Detroit, Mrs. Howrani enrolled in the ELMAC program at the University of Michigan to receive an MA and teaching certificate. "I think that you should leave the world better than you found it and I knew that the way I could make the most impact on peoples' lives was through education." Prior to joining Detroit Cristo Rey High School in July 2014, Mrs. Howrani taught 3rd grade at UPA Mark Murray Elementary

Mary Carmen Muñoz has proudly been an active part of the Hispanic community in Detroit her entire life and has witnessed the boundless positive impact Latinos have had here and throughout Michigan. Faith, family, and community service were at the core of her life growing up in the Muñoz family.

Today Mary Carmen is Executive Director of Latin Americans for Social & Economic Development (LA SED), the oldest Hispanic non-profit advocacy agency in Southeastern Michigan. Through the many programs offered at LA SED she leads a dedicated, hardworking team that strives to improve the lives of our diverse communities by offering programs and services that help achieve the American Dream for themselves and their families.

Angela G. Reyes, MPH, is the founder and Executive Director of the Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation. Ms. Reyes was born in Southwest Detroit, where she continues to reside, and is the mother of 4, grandmother of 8, and great-grandmother of 6 children.

She has been committed to working in and serving the Latino community for over 40 years, and founded DHDC in 1997 from her living room, "because I was tired of burying children". She has developed and managed several successful programs for youth, young adults and families.

Jan Little has over 35 years' experience working in the social service sector. She has led teams, departments and organizations through growth and change. In 2011, Jan was hired as the CEO of Michigan Ability Partners. Her depth of experience in housing development and supports, and employment service programs has greatly benefited Michigan Ability Partners. With passion and drive, Jan's belief that each individual has the ability to improve their own life with the right tools and empowerment, is evident in every interaction with participants. Her conviction is that every decision should be made with the best interests of the people we serve at heart.

Michigan Ability Partners, a private non-profit organization, founded in 1985 serves over 1,300 individuals annually. Veterans and other individuals with disabilities benefit from housing supports, job placement and financial services; often transforming their lives from homeless and jobless to housed and employed. MAP developed, owns and operates 44 units of affordable housing in Washtenaw County.

Mike Palmer is the founder of the Motor City Veterans Hockey Association and a dedicated member of the USA Hockey Warrior community for nearly seven years.

In 2017, Mike spearheaded the establishment of the Motor City Veterans Hockey Association, making a primary mission of the organization to introduce the sport of hockey to Veterans. His philosophy of "development first" has led to the introduction of a team within the program whose primary goal is to give new players more ice time and better opportunities to play in a structured environment and multi-tiered skill levels of development to meet the needs of various abilities of players.

Since 2018, Mike has served as a Captain of the Motor City Veterans travel team, which has competed in seven national tournaments with two championships and two additional finals appearances. More importantly however, his efforts with the MCVHA has resulted in more than 75 Veterans and family members participating in over 225 games and 25 special events in less than five years' of competition.

In 2018, Mike also teamed up with a local charity, New Day Foundation for Families, and established the Rochester Guns & Hoses charity hockey game that competes annually between his fire department and the local police department. In this annual event, they have raised more than $30,000 for New Day, helping provide support for eight families enduring financial hardship following a cancer diagnosis. Mike serves as a Board Member and coach for the Troy Youth Hockey Association. As a level 4 coach, he leads the 2011 Troy Sting Tier II team and actively works to grow and develop young successful hockey players.

Recently, Mike was appointed to serve as Michigan Amateur Hockey's Director of Disabled Hockey. As part of his role, Mike will focus on building awareness of Disabled Hockey in Michigan to achieve growth in existing organizations as well as develop new teams. This will include community outreach efforts supporting growth initiatives for the Disabled disciplines. In addition, Mike represents Michigan to the USA Hockey Disabled Section.

As current President and Director of Operations of the Motor City Veterans Hockey Association, he provides oversight to all organizational activities, cultivates relationships with key stakeholders, and delivers external communications about the program mission and its activities. In 2020, Palmer was Recipient of the Yontz Valor Salute, recognized by the Hendrickson Foundation and Minnesota Warrior Hockey for contributions to disabled veteran hockey across the nation.

In 1994, Rabbi Levi Shemtov and his wife Bassie Shemtov became aware of an under-served population in the metro Detroit community. Although provided with access to specialty medical care and therapy, the special needs community had few options when it came to creating lasting and meaningful relationships with the community outside of their family.

The pair set out to change the mentality of everyday people by encouraging the community to open their lives to these individuals. This was accomplished through the founding of an organization that creates friendship and social inclusion for individuals with special needs- the Friendship Circle, now a global phenomenon.

In 1994, Friendship Circle launched a program that coordinated the visits of local teenagers to the homes of children with special needs for one hour every week. Along with creating a real, lasting friendship, it provided respite for the parents; education about disabilities and social leadership for the teens and interaction-based therapy for the individuals with special needs. Friendship Circle has developed a number of best-practice programs aimed at improving the lives of its demographic base. Dance, sports, camps, art, and other therapeutic and respite programs run daily onsite providing services to over 3,000 individuals and their families. Since 2015, Friendship Circle now serves adults with special needs in the community with its Soul Studio and Soul Cafe Training Program, providing personal fulfillment and career opportunities. Friendship Circle recently purchased West Bloomfield's own Dakota Bread Company, well-loved throughout the community for its famous challah. Friendship Circle has since opened a bakery training program for adults with special needs at Dakota Bread Company.

To say Steve Peck is a baseball fan is an understatement. As a father, Steve coached his son Ryan through his Little League career where he realized his passion for helping children. On a trip to Georgia, he discovered and toured the first field of its kind that provided an adaptive baseball program for children with special needs. In 2003, he brought the idea to Michigan where he built the second field in the nation, The Miracle League of Michigan, Michigan's first adaptive baseball field. Ten years later, he partnered with Easterseals Michigan to secure the long-term future the program. As the founder and director he now oversees two fields, the flagship Miracle Field in Southfield and a new field in Orion Township providing a Major League experience for over 400 families of children and adults with special needs.

Danielle Woods is a Detroit native and twenty year veteran with the Detroit Police Department. She is currently assigned to the Chief's Neighborhood Liaison unit where she coordinates and oversees the operations of the Citizen Radio Patrol and Volunteer Angels detail along with Citywide Events that contribute to the building and continued relationship of Detroit Police and community. Corporal Woods was appointed as the first LGBT Liaison Officer for the police department in 2013. She formulated the first LGBT Advisory Board Committee under the appointment of Chief James E. Craig and is a driving force in the LGBT community in her efforts of "Bridging the Gap" between law enforcement and the LGBT community. Corporal Woods has not limited her career to only patrol calls. She became a "Field Training Officer" while working at the 9th Precinct, offering her knowledge and experience to new officers as they join the ranks; conducted undercover operations at the Vice and Narcotic units; performed administrative duties, and never ceasing to obtain training to enhance her role as liaison. In 2014, Corporal Woods composed and submitted training in regard to LGBT Sensitivity, Awareness, and Competency which resulted in approval and certification by M.C.O.L.E.S. (Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards), where she trains new recruits, sworn and civilian personnel of the department, along with other law enforcement agencies throughout Michigan and beyond. She has a great rapport with the community as a whole and does very well in organizing community programs and projects. In 2020, Corporal Woods in partnership with a community activist created the LGBTQ Community Council which she is the Chairs. The Council is made up of both law enforcement and community stakeholders that have united to promote the well-being of LGBTQ+ community members by advising, petitioning, and advocating causes and cases of concern and to improve community relations, devise plans, develop solutions to past, present, and future issues of the LGBTQ community.

Corporal Woods is a recent graduate of Cleary University where she obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Business Management and has been happily married to her wife of 15 years.

Roz Gould Keith is the founder and Executive Director of Stand with Trans, a nonprofit that provides life-saving programs and resources to transgender/nonbinary youth and families. The goal is to erase the stigma surrounding trans identities. Roz's own journey began when her youngest child came out as trans at age 13. Roz began blogging to share her experiences with others (Call Him Hunter), is the creator of Ally Parents and is a passionate, outspoken advocate for trans youth everywhere. She has presented about parenting trans children at numerous conferences nationwide, is the recipient of the Diversity Champion Honor Roll award and is a member of the Michigan LGBTQ+ coalition and participates in the Michigan Public Policy group for LGBTQ+ organizations.

Roz lives in Farmington, MI with her husband, son and amazing dog, Primrose. She is a novice gardener (every year is a new beginning) and follows a plant based diet for healthy living.

Kevin Terrell Heard was born in Detroit, Michigan to hard-working parents who have instilled in him to keep his head held high and his eye on the prize. Heard is a 2010 graduate of Clark Atlanta University (CAU), where he majored in Mass Media Arts with a concentration in Public Relations. In 2018, Heard received his MBA from Walsh College in Troy, MI. Currently, Heard works for Gannett | USA Today Network as the Diversity & Engagement Program Manager where he oversees Gannett's Inclusion, Diversity and Equity initiatives as it pertains to their Employee Resource Groups and social campaigns.

In 2013, Heard founded the Detroit Regional LGBT Chamber of Commerce. The Detroit Regional LGBT Chamber of Commerce mission is to promote and empower our Metropolitan Detroit LGBT, allied business members, non-profit members, corporate partners, and their employees through leadership, advocacy and education. Leading through professional development. Advocating for Inclusive business practices. Educating small to large businesses on LGBT-Certification & business growth. As President, he secured a $10,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan, Hope Fund and a $2,500 from Wells Fargo Rainbow Supplier Program. That increased membership and engagement with over 50 companies. Currently, the chamber has grown to have 16 corporate partners and over 100 members.

In May 2017, Kevin was honored as Crain's Detroit Twenty in their 20's for his work with the Detroit Regional LGBT Chamber of Commerce and lead of Pride Forward USA Today Network's LGBTQ Employee Resource Group.

Most recently, Heard, planned the largest LGBT Business and Diversity conference in Michigan in May 2021: COLOURS Conference and Pride Awards, which featured President of the Human Rights Campaign, Alphonso David, and Michigan's Attorney General Dana Nessel.

Heard lives by the quote "You are greatest when everything before you is obsolete and everything after bares your mark." His strong work ethic and spirituality keep him moving because he says, "success is not standing still." These experiences prove that he is a hard worker and a loyal person that is full of humility, determination, and integrity.

Manon Rhéaume, the first and only female to play in one of the four major North American sports league, an NHL game with the Tampa Bay lightning, in 1992. She also was the first female to sign a contract to play professional hockey and had a six year professional career in the minor leagues.

As a member of Team Canada, Manon helped lead her team to win two gold medals at the World Championship and a Silver Medal at the Olympic in the 1998 Nagano Games - the first year women's hockey was an official sport in the Olympics.

She currently works as Girls Program Coordinator for the Little Caesars AAA Hockey Club, where she continues to be an ambassador for growing the game and inspiring female athletes.

Courtney Smith, recently recognized by the Biden - Harris Administration for being a drum major for service, has been dubbed a "modern-day history maker" by Essence Magazine. She is an award-winning, social entrepreneur with over a decade of experience as a social impact leader. She is the founder & CEO of the Detroit Phoenix Center, a high-impact nonprofit organization that provides critical resources, support, and a safe, nurturing environment for street connected children & youth. Throughout her career in the nonprofit sector, she has served in numerous capacities, with a special emphasis on youth development. She is a sought after speaker who has traveled overseas to advocate for children's and women's rights. Courtney is a member of the Women's Advisory Committee for Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence of Michigan's 14th Congressional District. She is a board member for Hero Nation, and was recently appointed to the Belle Isle Conservancy Community Engagement Committee and the THAW Power Forward Council.

Courtney graduated with a bachelor's degree from the honors college at Eastern Michigan University (2014). She has since earned a graduate certificate in nonprofit management from Harvard University. Outside of being a dynamic civil servant, Courtney enjoys spending time with family, traveling, and live theatre.

Pamela Good is cofounder and CEO of Beyond Basics, a literacy nonprofit serving students in Metropolitan Detroit.

Twenty years ago Good took the Joy Road highway exit to a struggling inner-city school in Detroit, delivering coats to kids who needed them. That first coat drive turned into a revelation that the children needed much more than coats. This led to her to cofound Beyond Basics to provide academic enrichment activities, soon discovering that many of the children could not read. Beyond Basics then developed intensive one-on-one reading tutoring and literacy enrichment programs for K-12 students in Detroit. Their reading tutoring program achieves academic grade level movement in an average of six weeks. Beyond Basics' proven methods unlock the miracle and power of reading and open a whole new world and future to those who need it most. Beyond Basics achieves grade level movement in average of six weeks.

Beyond Basics has touched the lives of 90,000 children, published 75,000 student books, and delivered nearly 40,000 coats. Currently, Beyond Basics serves students attending 23 different school locations in Detroit, Taylor and Pontiac with the goal to bring the students they serve to grade level, proficient literacy.

Immediately after the school closures in March 2020, due to COVID, the Beyond Basics team pivoted to a virtual platform, pairing each student with a tutor to work online. The initial outcome results have been on par with what Beyond Basics has come to expect with its in person model.

Amy Good, CEO, Alternatives For Girls (AFG). M.S.W., and B.A.: Psychology, University of Michigan. Ms. Good has served as Alternatives For Girls' CEO since 1988. She has over 38 years of experience managing and directing human services programs serving Detroit children and families. Under her leadership, AFG has grown from a volunteer-led project to a full-service agency serving homeless and high-risk girls and young women, along with their families, through street outreach, emergency shelter, transition to independent living, and prevention services. Ms. Good served as a gubernatorial appointee on the Michigan Committee on Juvenile Justice (2004 through 2017), and serves on the Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit board. She is a member of the Michigan Chapter of the International Women's Forum. Her awards include Oprah Winfrey's "Use Your Life" award (accompanied by $100,000 for AFG's capital campaign), the United Way Community Services "Executive Director of the Year" award, Leadership Detroit's "Leadership Challenge" award, and the National Council of Jewish Women Josephine S. Weiner Award for Community Service. She was awarded the University of Michigan School of Social Work Distinguished Alumni award in 2014. Alternatives For Girls was awarded Crain's "Best Managed Non-Profit" award in 2017. She is a lifelong runner, and, inspired by her son, she is a dedicated unicyclist. Ms. Good and her husband, David Finkel, raised their two children-now accomplished and contributing young adults-and continue to live, in their Detroit home.

Coach Khali Sweeney is the founder and CEO of the Downtown Boxing Gym (DBG Detroit), a nonprofit organization he started in 2007 to empower Detroit students and set them on a path to success. The gym trains kids for life, providing tutoring, mentorship, enrichment programs, college and career readiness, meals, transportation and more, Monday-Friday, all year round. Currently, 150+ boys and girls, ages 8-18, from 30 different zip codes and 57 schools across Detroit and nearby suburbs, attend the free, academic and athletic program, but there's also a large waiting list of 1,300+ students to get in.

During COVID-19 with resources and opportunities extremely limited for Detroit students, DBG expanded from an after-school program to a full-day program to provide computers and internet access and give the children a safe place to attend online classes throughout the day. This also helps DBG's working parents, many of whom are essential, front-line workers. The gym is now open for in person programming from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays. Throughout the pandemic, DBG staff members have also delivered emergency food and supplies to families and other nonprofits using DBG's vans. The DBG team is working around the clock to battle learning loss while also addressing food insecurity, the digital divide, and the emotional wellbeing of its students.

Khali founded the Downtown Boxing Gym to provide a launching pad for students to achieve their dreams. The gym is proud to have a 100% high school graduation rate since its inception. Among his many honors, Khali was a CNN Hero Top 10 finalist, named 'Mentor of the Year' by Michigan's governor and received the Arthur L. Johnson Community Leadership Award from Wayne State University. His inspiring story has been featured on The Today Show, Good Morning America, Rachael Ray and many other local and national media outlets. Learn more at: dbgdetroit.org.

Kenyatta Stephens serves as Chief Executive Officer of Black Family Development, Inc. (BFDI). She has been honored to work at Black Family Development, Inc. since July of 1997. Consumer and stakeholder satisfaction are a main priority for her as families, and the community, entrust BFDI to partner with them toward achieving their goals for hope and healing. What Kenyatta enjoys most about her position is seeing youth, family, and neighborhood transformation as they achieve set goals. As a woman of faith, she believes nothing is impossible.

As an organization, Black Family Development Incorporated's mission is to build partnerships that strengthen and enhance youth, families and communities. Their services touch families in Detroit, throughout Wayne County, including the Grosse Pointes, and Washtenaw County. The primary focus of all 20 + agency programs is to integrate science-based practice and compassion to tackle environmental, social, and behavioral health barriers that try to stand in the way of youth education and youth wellness. Kenyatta, and the hard-working experts that serve at BFDI, firmly believe that by partnering with youth and families, Detroit has no limit to the greatness it will achieve.

Shawn Wilson has served as the President and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan since November of 2018, becoming the first African-American to lead the 95-year-old organization. A visionary leader, Wilson has led efforts to "reimagine", the BGCSM mission by empowering more than 15,000 youth annually to become career, start up and homeowner ready by 18. Prior to joining the Boys & Girls Clubs, Wilson spent nearly five years leading a number of high-profile social impact projects with the Ford Motor Company Fund. This included heading the Ford Resources and Engagement Centers - a $15M place-based strategy serving 30,000 youth, families and neighborhood entrepreneurs annually. Additionally, Wilson served as community lead for Ford Motor Company's $740M Corktown Campus transformation project. Wilson currently serves on the Detroit Public Schools Foundation Board of Directors which supports 50,000 students annually and in 2020 was Elected to the Plymouth Canton Community School Board which serves 16,000 students annually.

Portia Roberson is the Chief Executive Officer of Focus: HOPE, a Detroit-based, non-profit organization whose goal is to overcome racism and poverty by providing education and training for underrepresented minorities and other members of the community.

She joined the Focus: HOPE team as Chief Executive Officer in 2018, bringing strategic and inclusive leadership with a focus on moving the organization forward.

Prior to her work with Focus: HOPE, Portia acted as Group Executive of the City of Detroit's Civil Rights, Inclusion and Opportunity Department, working to ensure that all major economic development projects adhered to hiring Detroit-headquartered or Detroit-based businesses, thus allowing Detroit workers opportunities for employment. During her tenure with the City of Detroit, Portia led the charge on how Michigan and Detroit-based businesses can work together to enhance local employment. Previously, she served as Corporation Counsel, Law Department at the White House Domestic Policy Council for Strong Cities, Strong Communities, as well as Director, Office of Intergovernmental and Public Liaison under Attorney General Eric Holder.

Portia is a graduate of Cass Technical High School. She majored in English at the University of Michigan, and holds a Juris Doctorate from Wayne State University Law School.

She has extensive volunteer experience throughout Metro Detroit, serving as a Board Member for Michigan Political History Society, Habitat for Humanity, ACLU, and Delta Manor. She is a member of the State Bar of Michigan and the Wolverine Bar Association.

Born on February 14, 1957 in Ocala, Florida, Valmore James donned his first pair of skates at the age of 12 at New York's Long Island Arena. Thanks to his father's role as the arena's operations manager, James soon learned to skate, immersed himself in the professional hockey being played there, and joined an organized youth hockey league.

Less than a decade later, the Detroit Red Wings drafted James during the 16th round, 184th overall, of the 1977 NHL Amateur Draft. The second-to-last pick that year, James later wrote "Better late than never." James joined Red Wings training camp that summer but was soon cut. After a few seasons in the Eastern Hockey League and American Hockey League, James signed with the Buffalo Sabres for the 1981-82 season. On November 1, 1981, James skated in his first NHL game, becoming the league's first American-born Black player.

"I would say that it showed many people that you didn't have to worry about who or what you were, that you could actually go out and pursue a sport…Our race really didn't have a foothold in the game when I was playing…at least now we have more individuals getting those chances to play."

- Val James

Brian Johnson was born April 1, 1960 in Montreal, Quebec. Johnson spent four seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League as a right winger. He was considered a prototypical enforcer with a reputation for consistent goals as well as penalties, frequently challenging opposing teams. After earning six goals and 250 penalty minutes in 67 games for the Adirondack Red Wings in 1982-83, Johnson was selected to the QMJHL Second All-Star Team. He soon signed with the Detroit Red Wings for the 1983-84 season, debuting alongside Steve Yzerman.

At 23 years old, Johnson was the first Black player to represent the Red Wings and the eighth in the NHL. In total, Johnson played three games for Detroit. Without tallying any points and accumulating five penalty minutes, Johnson was returned to Detroit's minor league Adirondack Red Wings prior to the 1984-85 season. He would play briefly for the IHL's Indianapolis Checkers and ACHL's Carolina Thunderbirds before retiring in 1986.

"As long as they call me names, it means I'm doing something right…It's 1983. Racial problems are going to be around in the year 2000. I try to better myself. If a person uses racial slurs, he's a small person. He has no class. I try to overcome that. If it's a player, I don't get mad, I get even. Even if it takes me all year."

- Brian Johnson

Born on February 15, 1958, Anthony Syiid McKegney was considered the first Black star of the NHL. Raised in Sarnia, Ontario, he showed powerful strategy ad talent on the ice. In the mid-70s, McKegney signed a contact with the World Hockey Association's Birmingham Bulls, which was illegally reneged due to racist temperaments. Despite this setback, McKegney was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in 1978, officially becoming the 4th Black player in NHL history.

Acquired by the Detroit Red Wings from the St. Louis Blues in 1989, McKegney played 14 games as a left wing before being traded to the Quebec Nordiques. McKegney played 912 career NHL games with seven teams, tallying 320 goals, 319 assists, and 639 points. McKegney became the first Black player to score 40 goals in a season, 20 or more goals in eight seasons, and held the record for the most goals scored by a Black player in NHL history for 16 years. Hall of Famers Jarome Iginla said, "Tony McKegney showed me it was possible for someone like me to play in the NHL…He set the example. He was a role model."

"I never thought so much about my being Black until I played professional hockey. Someday I will be known as a hockey player."

- Tony McKegney

Born on December 31, 1981 in Scarborough, Ontario, Nate Robinson has played for various minor and professional leagues in the United States and Europe since the early 2000s. He experienced his personal best at the start of his career as a junior hockey player for the Belleville Bulls in Ontario, winning the scoring title in the 2001-02 season.

Though passed over in the NHL Entry Draft, Robinson was signed as a free agent and debuted for the Detroit Red Wings in 2003, making him the third Black player to represent the team. He played five games for the Red Wings at left wing before returning to the minor leagues. Later, he would sign with the Boston Bruins, playing two games in the 2005-06 season. Robinson played seven games total in the NHL before relocating to Europe where he went on to play for leagues in Germany, Finland, Austria, United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Belarus, and Slovakia.

Born on October 9, 1983 in Toronto, Ontario, Trevor Daley has always had a passion for hockey. Known for his consistency, Daley was drafted 43rd overall by the Dallas Stars in 2002 at age 18. He played 11 consecutive seasons with Dallas before being traded to the Chicago Blackhawks for the 2015-16 season.

Traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins after 29 games, Daley became an integral member of the team, achieving consecutive Stanley Cup wins in 2016 and 2017. In its 114 years of history, Daley is one of only nine Black players to have his name engraved on the Stanley Cup. Signed as a free agent in July 2017, Daley played three seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, celebrating his 1,000th NHL game on December 23, 2018 against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Retiring as a player in 2020, Daley joined the front office staff of the Pittsburgh Penguins as a hockey operations adviser.

"The way I look at it, I have young kids who have no idea what the difference is. And I'm like, 'Why does it matter if they're black or white or orange or purple?'"

- Trevor Daley

Born on April 22, 1995 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Madison Bowey joined the Western Hockey League at the age of 15. During the 2012-13 season, he won gold medals with Team Canada at both the 2012 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament and the 2013 IIHF World U18 Championship, leading to Bowey being identified as a top draft prospect.

Drafted in the second round, 53rd overall, of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft by the Washington Capitals, Bowey made his NHL debut on October 14, 2017 against the Philadelphia Flyers. He played 51 regular season games in 2017-18, leading up to the playoffs that would culminate in a Capitals Stanley Cup championship, making Bowey the ninth Black player to have his name engraved on the Stanley Cup. Traded to the Detroit Red Wings on February 22, 2019, Bowey played two seasons with the team.

"Growing up you don't see too many Black players playing. There's starting to be a little more now. I think Jarome Iginla's obviously one of the role models and leaders for that group…He was kinda my hero growing up."

- Madison Bowey

Born on February 27, 1998 in Ontario, Canada, Givani Smith has made a name for himself as an NHL player. At 6'2" and with a strong build, Smith provides a robust physical presence on the ice that can be intimidating to opponents. Drafted in the second round, 46th overall, by the Detroit Red Wings during the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, Smith regularly played for the Grand Rapids Griffins as a right wing before being recalled by the Red Wings on October 25, 2019. Smith made his NHL debut and soon achieved his first NHL point and goal, playing 21 games with the team that season. Smith is currently a member of the team's Taxi Squad, providing back-up support on ice amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

"You don't have to be a certain skin color or certain person to play the game of hockey. It's a game, and if you love it, it'll love you back."

- Givani Smith