Jazz Fan-Led Group To Present Donation To Utah Black History Museum

The Utah Black History Museum’s mobile exhibit “spotlights key figures of Black history in Utah.” (Via UBHM Facebook page)

Last month, we shared the story of a Jazz fan who is inviting his peers to join him in denouncing racism and fighting inequality.

We recently received an update from Blair Hodges, who runs the Jazz Fans Against Racism social media presence. In addition to a series of videos and posts to encourage Utahns to think differently about issues involve race and equality, JFaR has been selling merchandise to raise money for the Utah Black History Museum, and will be presenting a donation this weekend as part of the Salt Lake Juneteenth celebration. This donation marks the first round of proceeds from merchandise sales at antiracistjazz.com, but don’t worry: you can still purchase shirts, hats, stickers and more, and the profits will continue to support the Utah Black History Museum.

Hodges shared the following release with us ahead of this weekend’s donation presentation.

Jazz Fans Against Racism is presenting a donation of $2,614 to the Utah Black History Museum this Saturday, June 26 at 1PM at the Gateway in Salt Lake City. JFaR founder Blair Hodges said $1,300 was raised by selling shirts, stickers, and other merchandise during the 2021 playoff run of the Utah Jazz. Kristin and Jeremy Andrus (of Traeger Grills) volunteered to personally match each donation dollar-for-dollar, doubling the total contribution.

“The Utah Black History Museum is dedicated to educating Utahns, especially kids, about the oft-overlooked stories of Black people in Utah’s history,” Hodges said. “Jazz Fans Against Racism is proud to support their vision. Stories can change hearts.”

Hodges said he started the unofficial fan-led group last year in order to improve understand of racial and social justice issues among the Jazz fan base, who have repeatedly been in the news for racist incidents directed at basketball players and for negative social media responses to Jazz players advocating for social justice issues.

“Jazz fans have a reputation,” Hodges explained in a video series he produced for JFaR called 5 Minute Fights Against Racism. “There are people who say we’re the most racist fanbase in the NBA. It’s on us as Jazz fans to fix it. We can choose to be part of the solution rather than living down to the stereotype.”

The donation will be given to members of the Museum’s board during the Salt Lake Juneteenth celebration at the Gateway. Visitors who attend the event will be able to tour the museum. The Juneteenth Celebration will also feature Black-owned business vendors, an art exhibit, food trucks, music, entertainment, kids’ corner, storytelling, roller skating, movie night, barber battle, and much more! Event details at atthegateway.com/calendars/juneteenth.

JFaR continues to fundraise at antiracistjazz.com.

The presentation will be made this Saturday at 1:00 p.m. at the Gateway (along 400 West and 200 South) as part of the Salt Lake Juneteenth Celebration.