In recognition of Black History Month, the Los Angeles Rams hosted a series of community initiatives to honor the past and celebrate the future of Black culture. The organization reflected on artistic expression as a cornerstone of Black culture, serving as a powerful tool for storytelling, resistance, and community-building that the organization highlighted through their Canvas of Culture. Activities included Slam Night at Da Poetry Lounge, hosting their second annual Earnel Durden Black Coaches Symposium at SoFi Stadium, unveiling a mural by Brian Peterson at Nickerson Gardens, and hosting a music production session for local youth with Kobie Turner a.k.a. "The Conductor" and Watts native rapper and producer Stix, and more.

To kick off their Black History Month efforts, the team supported Slam Night at Da Poetry Lounge in West Hollywood where six poets performed a poem that fit the themes of the night related to Kenny Washington including overcoming barriers, persevering through adversity, being a trailblazer, inspiring change and more. Performers were encouraged to utilize the Rams tagline from their 2023 Black History Month efforts "Kenny Ran So I Could…" Rams mascot Rampage and Rams Cheerleaders were in attendance to add to the excitement and the winner received $3,000. The Rams rounded out the month by returning to Da Poetry Lounge and hosting an open-mic night, where community members had the opportunity to perform different poems throughout the night.

The Rams continued to celebrate the organization's trailblazers by hosting their second annual Earnel Durden Black Coaches Symposium in their locker room at SoFi Stadium for local high school and youth tackle and flag football coaches. In efforts to help increase enrollment and level the playing field, the networking event included a panel with Black coaches from various levels about the progression of African American coaches, cultivating team culture and how to advance to the next level. The event also featured remarks from Durden, the first Black assistant coach in Rams history from 1971-1972.

"To have Earnel Durden share words of wisdom on how he persevered and became a trailblazer was incredible," said Rams senior director of social justice and football development Johnathan Franklin.

The event also featured the director of programming at the Center of Healing and Justice through Sport Chris Reed discussing the impact of trauma on the brain, body, and behavior. Reed provided participants with an understanding of how sport can be leveraged to heal, through relationships and physical activity.

"At the Rams, we want to invest in coaches, understanding everyone does not have access to the same resources," said Franklin. "These individuals serve as coaches, role models, parents, counselors and so much more based on the group of players on their team. This symposium wasn't about the x's and o's, but mental wellness, physical health and how you can be the best version of yourself in all facets. As these coaches develop themselves off the field, they will be more equipped to develop players on the field."

In continuation of the team's series of cultural murals throughout Los Angeles, the Rams teamed up with artist Brian Peterson to create a physical embodiment of the past, present, and future of Inspire Change. The mural, designed at Nickerson Gardens where the Rams partnered with the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) to install a 60-yard turf football field this past September, was unveiled with a PLAY 60 football clinic for the local community. Peterson's previous work includes the mural of the late Kobe and Gigi Bryant that is displayed on the adjacent interior wall at the Nickerson Gardens gymnasium and other notable works throughout Inglewood and Downtown Los Angeles.

"I feel like the Rams understand the importance of generations," said Peterson. "This is an investment in the community, but it's really an investment in the five-year-olds, the six-year-olds, the seven-year-olds and we might not see that return on investment for 10 or so years, but we have to plant those seeds in our children first and they are taking every step in doing that."

To conclude the month, the Rams released a special video of defensive end Kobie Turner and Watts artist, producer, and founder of the ThinkWatts Foundation, Stix, partnering to educate the next generation on song creation and the music industry. The inspiring video shows Turner and Stix first meeting the kids at sneaker boutique TILT.INGLEWOOD to talk about their relationship with music, before walking them through the process of creating a song at the legendary East West Studios in Hollywood and concludes with a listening event of the final song at the Rams practice facility in Woodland Hills. As a special highlight, the kids had the unique opportunity to be featured on the track "In the Gap", alongside Stix, which is an anthem about perseverance and unity.

The organization also supported the City of Inglewood's Black History Month Essay Contest by providing the winner with a $2,000 check. The team also partnered with Dymally High School in Watts to host over five hundred eighth graders from four middle schools for the school's first Black History Month program in over 20 years. The event featured a *Kingfish: The Story of Kenny Washington* screening, remarks from Rams staff, and a Play 60 Field Day.

Throughout the month of February, the team also hosted a series of Rams Readers literacy sessions that incorporated a Kenny Washington coloring activity sheet at Oak Hills Elementary School, Encinita Elementary School, Linwood E. Howe Elementary School, Hart Street Elementary School, Ward Elementary School, and Mesa Elementary School.

"As an organization, it's vital that we host these events to honor the legacy and influence that our very own legends have had on the Black community," said Rams coordinator of brand strategy and partnership Tiras Holifield. "To have so many trailblazers come from the Los Angeles Rams and break barriers, it's our responsibility to uplift and celebrate how historic moments and figures have motivated and will continue to motivate past, current and future generations."

For more information about the Rams' community outreach efforts, visit www.therams.com/community and to learn more about the Rams' Black History Month efforts, visit www.therams.com/community/black-history-month/.