The Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans announced today its selection of Arnie D. Fielkow as the new chief executive officer. Fielkow was selected after a comprehensive national search and will return to New Orleans, where he and his family previously resided from 2000-2011. Fielkow will succeed Federation Executive Director Michael Weil, who is stepping down at the end of September and returning to Israel.

The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA), the only alumni association comprised of former NBA, ABA, Harlem Globetrotters and WNBA players, will join chapter leaders from around the country to host annual meetings and  a community youth clinic at the new NORDC Sanchez Multi-Purpose Center in New Orleans. As part of this very special event with NBRPA chapter leaders, over 14 former NBA standouts will be working with local youth along with officials from the NBRPA including former New Orleans City Council President and current President & CEO of the NBRPA Arnie Fielkow.
 
Chapters from Atlanta, Houston, Los Angeles, Orlando, Phoenix, Chicago, Detroit, Miami, New York, Dallas and Las Vegas will convene in New Orleans for Sports Business Annual Meetings will serve to plan the NBRPA’s and Chapters 2016 international and domestic charitable efforts as well as strengthening programs that help former players transition to a successful life after basketball.
 
Details of this special Youth Clinic event are as follows:

CHICAGO – The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA), the only alumni association comprised of former NBA, ABA, Harlem Globetrotters and WNBA players, will mark the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina by honoring two greats symbolic of the city’s recovery: Chef Leah Chase and Saints Wide Receiver Joe Horn.
 
NBRPA CEO Arnie Fielkow, a former New Orleans Council President, said the non-profit sports organization, wanted to include these New Orleans legends at its largest philanthropic fundraiser – the Legends of Basketball Fantasy Weekend – at Mohegan Sun, November 20-22, in Connecticut as a broader tribute to leadership.
 
“This is a special weekend for our organization. It not only gives fans a chance to meet Legends and see excellent college basketball, but this weekend is also an opportunity to celebrate those who have made a difference by inspiring others. Our NBA Legends did that on the court; Ms. Chase and Mr. Horn did that in their own fields,” said CEO Fielkow.

CHICAGO, ILL. – – The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA), the only alumni association comprised of former NBA, ABA, Harlem Globetrotters and WNBA players, will be partnering with the Jones Walker Law Firm, First NBC Bank, Entergy New Orleans, Friends of King Schools, WBOK Radio and the NORD Foundation to take underserved New Orleans youth on an interactive educational and fun Civil Rights History tour of Alabama on Wednesday, July 22, 2015. The NBRPA will continue to give back to New Orleans youth during this timeframe with a youth basketball and mentoring clinic on Friday, July 24 (location TBD) as part of its Full Court Press: Prep for Success program that is supported by the National Basketball Association (NBA) through its NBA Cares initiative, the National Police Athletic/Activities League (PAL) and Leadership Foundations. 

A new annual college scholarship program, developed by the Major League Baseball Urban Youth Foundation and the Jack Fielkow Scholarship Fund, has been established to benefit participants of the New Orleans MLB Urban Youth Academy and the “Each One Save One” mentoring organization. The annual scholarships will be worth up to $4,000 for two selected participants who demonstrate academic achievement, community participation, leadership skills and financial need. Scholarship recipients must attend an accredited two- or four-year college, university, vocational school or technical school.       

Recipients of the scholarship will be selected by a committee of individuals involved in the establishment of the program. This includes Arnie Fielkow, the former New Orleans City Council President and current CEO of the NBA Retired Players Association, who made a $40,000 donation in his father’s name via the Jack Fielkow Scholarship Fund. Louisiana-based First NBC Bank matched Fielkow’s donation to the scholarship program. Arnie Fielkow was instrumental in the establishment of the New Orleans MLB Urban Youth Academy.  

What: 200 area youth depart on a Civil Rights tour sponsored by the National Basketball Retired Players Association, Councilwoman LaToya Cantrell, former Council President Arnie Fielkow, Stand for Children, NBC Bank, Jones Walker and Liberty 64

When: Wednesday, June 25, 6 a.m., City Hall, 1300 Perdido Street
Contact: Brittany Ray, 785-760-4708 | or Councilwoman Cantrell, 504 658-1020 

Why:  As part of the city's series of events to mark the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act, local leaders will educate students on why this important legislation is still relevant today by visiting the Civil Rights Institute in Birmingham, Alabama

CIVIL RIGHTS ICON JESSE JACKSON, FORMER MAYOR MARC MORIAL/URBAN LEAGUE PRESIDENT TO JOIN FORMER COUNCILMAN ARNIE FIELKOW/NBRPA, HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS IN BASKETBALL CLINIC AT OLIVER BUSH PLAYGROUND THIS SATURDAY

WHEN: SAT., FEB. 15  

TIME: Event begins at Noon 3 P.M. PRESS EVENT FEATURING JACKSON, MORIAL, FIELKOW, GLOBETROTTERS TO KICK OFF BASKETBALL CLINIC WITH THE KIDS  

WHERE: OLIVER BUSH PLAYGROUND, 2500 Caffin Ave. in Lower 9th Ward

The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA), the only Association comprised of NBA, ABA, Harlem Globetrotters and WNBA alumni, will be hosting a free community celebration, youth summit and youth basketball clinic at Oliver Bush Playground in the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans on February 15, 2014 from noon to 4 p.m. as part of its NBA All-Star Weekend activities.  Supported by the global law firm Dentons, this very special philanthropic event is collaboration between the NBRPA, National Police Athletic/Activities League (PAL), National Urban League, Dillard University, the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission and the New Orleans City Council offices of James A. Gray and Stacy Head.
 
Details for this very special event are as follows:
 
WHO: More than 20 former NBA/ABA players, including Thurl Bailey (Utah Jazz), Rick Barry (Golden State Warriors), Otis Birdsong (New Jersey Nets), Willie Burton (Miami Heat), Harvey Catchings (Philadelphia 76ers/Milwaukee Bucks), Dwight Davis (Cleveland Cavaliers/Golden State Warriors), Bob Elliott (New Jersey Nets), Steve Hayes (Cleveland Cavaliers), Spencer Haywood (Seattle Supersonics/Los Angeles Lakers), La Rue Martin Jr. (Portland Trailblazers), Johnny Newman (Charlotte Hornets/Milwaukee Bucks), Eldridge Recasner (New Orleans native/Atlanta Hawks), Marvin Roberts (Denver Rockets/Los Angeles Lakers), George Tinsley (Kentucky Colonels/Washington Capitols), Sam Vincent (Chicago Bulls/Orlando Magic), Slick Watts (Xavier University of New Orleans/Seattle Supersonics) and Morlon Wiley (Orlando Magic/Dallas Mavericks)

WHAT: Free community lunch from McDonalds followed by a youth summit conducted by Dillard University and youth basketball clinic conducted by the NBRPA, PAL and National Urban League.

WHEN: February 15, 2014. Timing is as follows:
12-2 p.m. Community Celebration with lunch provided by McDonalds
2-3 p.m. Youth Summit conducted by Dillard University
3-4 p.m. Youth basketball clinic conducted by the NBRPA, PAL and National Urban League
 
WHERE: Oliver Bush Playground (2500 Caffin Ave., New Orleans, LA, 70117)
 

The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA), the only Association comprised of NBA, ABA, Harlem Globetrotters and WNBA alumni, today announced details for its public events and activities during NBA All-Star 2014 in New Orleans, February 13-16. The NBRPA’s very full agenda of community service and community engagement is highlighted by multiple youth basketball and life skills clinics, as well as a public Legends of Basketball Gala at Harrah’s New Orleans on February 15. All-access passes to the Legends All-Star Weekend can be purchased at: LegendsofBasketball.com/allaccess or by calling the NBRPA office at 312-913-9400.
 
“The NBRPA and its members are proud and honored to be an integral part of NBA All-Star 2014 in New Orleans February 13-16,” said Arnie D. Fielkow, President & Chief Executive Officer for the NBRPA.  “Working in conjunction with the NBA and partners such as Harrah’s New Orleans, we have planned a number of star-studded, fun community and philanthropic events for our members and the public alike. As the former Executive Vice President of the New Orleans Saints and New Orleans City Council President, I am personally thrilled to return to my adopted hometown for All-Star Weekend.”
 
The NBRPA will once again stage a marquee event for All-Star Weekend, in conjunction with the NBA, on Sunday, Feb. 16, when the NBRPA hosts the 15th Annual Legends Brunch featuring TNT’s Ernie Johnson as master of ceremonies at the New Orleans Convention Center. The Legends Brunch will be broadcast on NBA-TV and seen in more than 50 million households.
 
The weekend’s social schedule for the NBRPA’s Legends of Basketball includes several exclusive, ticketed events (see full schedule below). The open-to-the-public (ticket purchase required) gala at Harrah’s New Orleans promises to deliver plenty of excitement to fans with a theater full of former basketball stars, mixed in with great food and iconic New Orleans music and entertainment.