And1’s national Paint the Park initiative, hosted by the footwear and apparel brand’s newest ambassador NBA Star Montrezl Harrell and fueled by Walmart has restored a popular community park in the Central City section of New Orleans.
The renovation included newly installed hoops, a court-sized mural and an all-out block party.
“Central City has a talented pool of future streetball stars,” Joe Esses, vice president of marketing, And1, said. “We started with upgrading their homecourt at Guste Park. We called-in renowned street artists, the Illuminaries, to paint a court-sized mural that reflects those who play ball there every day so that homecourt pride can be restored. It was an incredible transformation that’s authentic to the heart with And1’s legacy of bridging cultures and communities through streetball.”
The court rededication on July 3 brought together the community with live music from Louisiana legends like rapper Cupid, DJ Jubilee and And1 All-Stars including Set-Free and Rafer Alston, also known as Skip to My Lou. Walmart offered complimentary health and wellness resources and other free giveaways.
“Hundreds of kids that come here every day and are passionate about basketball,” long-time Central City resident Caria Paul said. “It means everything. It means a chance. It means hope. It gives them the motivation they need. Someone is noticing you, so keep going.”
New Orleans is the latest stop on And1’s Paint the Park tour, an initiative that aims to improve the conditions of urban parks and basketball courts for kids across the nation. And1 has also restored community parks in Oakland, Compton and Charlotte.
And1 is owned by Sequential Brands Group.
