Raiders celebrate Juneteenth with family reunion for employees
The Raiders threw a family reunion Thursday at their Henderson practice facility to celebrate the Juneteenth holiday and recognize the organization’s longtime commitment to diversity and inclusion.
The party was put on by Black and Silver Efforts in Diversity (B.A.S.E.D), an employee resource group within the Raiders organization. Raiders employees and their families and a handful of locally Black-owned restaurants and entertainment groups attended the event.
Among those in attendance were Raiders president Sandra Douglass Morgan, the first Black female club president in NFL history; Devon Lewis-Buchanan, the club’s director of diversity, equity and inclusion; and Amir Zaffa, the president of B.A.S.E.D.
“To see this come to life, to see all the vendors we are supporting and local businesses and to see all these young people, is really great,” Lewis-Buchanan said. “It speaks to what this organization has always stood for.”
Also on hand was Raiders rookie defensive end Adam Plant, a local product from UNLV and Bishop Gorman High School.
“It’s beautiful to see this,” Plant said as he enjoyed a plate of food. “To see the community of Vegas and everybody that is here, it’s just a beautiful feeling.”
Plant said it warmed his heart to look around and see so much diversity among the organization’s employees. It’s a message, he said, that extends beyond just football.
“It makes you feel blessed because you can see this is a real family affair,” he said. “I blend in very well. I grew up like that, loving all people. This makes you understand that football is bigger than just a game. It’s about life and people and love and respect.”
The Raiders earlier this week held a presentation and panel discussion in conjunction with Pride month and in May celebrated Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage month with a similar event.
Contact Vincent Bonsignore at vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow @VinnyBonsignore on Twitter.
