Sophie Sonnenfeld Photo
Duke Dennis (center left), Amari Caple (left), Kai Cenat (right), and Sirraya Pratt.
Duke Dennis scored a few baskets and scored new friends Saturday afternoon in the first Gone But Not Forgotten Memorial Basketball Invitational.
The tournament was held at the basketball courts outside Roberto Clemente Leadership Academy. Over 100 kids, all 15 years old and under, competed on 10 teams. Referees and organizers kept score of each game but did not hold a championship match to determine a winning team.
Inflatable slide and bounce house at the event Saturday.
The event was a collaboration between the Connecticut Bail Fund and Building It Together. Along with the tournament, the organizers set up an inflatable slide, bounce house, and tents for vendors for Hill neighbors to enjoy.
Event Co-Director Jewu Richardson said he organized the event to commemorate and celebrate the lives of Hill residents who died this year from sickness, gun violence, domestic violence, or natural deaths.
“The goal was to celebrate all the people that have passed by having the youth out here with everybody having fun and making it a joyous event. Especially in the Hill neighborhood, there have been a lot of passings lately, so we wanted something to boost the morale,” Richardson said.
The idea sprouted from conversations Richardson had in a barbershop on Congress Avenue. Support and help to put the event together grew from there. Richardson said they plan to continue the basketball invitational every year with the same goals in mind.
Duke Dennis and his teammates won their game on Saturday by 10 points. Dennis, who attends Wexler Grant School, has played basketball since he was “a little kid.”
“We had a great team effort and hustle. We did what we could to win!” he said.
Dennis said his favorite part about the event was “working with other people and doing what we could to make team chemistry and build relationships.” He said he made friends while practicing on the courts outside Roberto Clemente Leadership Academy over the summer.
“We just wanted the winner and loser to shake hands. We wanted to also give the kids an opportunity to come and show their talents,” Co-Director Tasha Blanco said.
Blanco said they hosted kids from different neighborhoods across the city: “It seems like the young folks really enjoyed their time. It was definitely a chance for the community to come together.”
Tyrone Grant, Tasha Blanco, Bob Saulsbury, Roslyn Morrison, Jewu Richardson.
“We were hoping to bring a sense of community to everyone and also start to honor and celebrate the folks who have passed with something positive to do before the kids return back to school,” Blanco added.
Coach Bob Saulsbury, who was a sponsor for the event, observed the tournament alongside the four referees. Saulsbury just turned 92 and came with his daughter, Roslyn Morrison, and his nephew.
“When I came out here and I saw all of these youngsters participating, I felt very good. They have an opportunity to be supervised and organized in a nice atmosphere,” Saulsbury said.
As he was watching one game early in the afternoon, one boy sitting next to him said to another, “I’m gonna go to the NBA.”
“Really?” Saulsbury joked. “How’re you going to get there? Are you going to drive or take the bus?”
Saulsbury said he was surprised at how advanced the players all were. “Plus, the coaches understand the value of being a winner. And I don’t just mean winning games but winning with a good attitude and doing well in school.”
Across the field, Andrea Wright had a tent sent up for her beauty business, Glossology. Wright sold handmade, organic lip glosses and hair growth oil, eyelashes, and sunglasses.
Andrea Wright: “What we need especially after Covid and with all these killings.”
Wright, who was born and raised in the Hill, said the neighborhood used to have many community events like Saturday’s invitational.
“There were so many kids out here, it definitely brings the community back together. Because that’s what we need, especially after Covid and with all these killings.”
Next to Wright’s tent, Natasha Mckalla sold accessories for women and girls.
Natasha Mckalla (left) with Cindy James.
She vends at summer events for her Bridgeport-based accessories business, called Re’ndevous.
Mckalla’s accessories.
Kids and families picked up kids’ hats, bows, and fidget spinner toys from her table on Saturday.
Greta Johnson handed out information about CT Bail Fund and honored her nephew Kevin Mills, who was shot and killed in Hamden last week.
Thank you to Connecticut Bail Fund, Building It Together and Tyrone Grant, Tasha Blanco, Bob Saulsbury, Roslyn Morrison, Jewu Richardson and everyone else involved with creating this event. It is programs like this to create safe fun, social opportunities, strengthening community togetherness for young people and for everyone to enjoy that are part of the solution to crime, violence, anxiety, depression, and isolation.