Supporters of the Riverside Hawks, a coed Harlem-based program that has impacted generations of young people through basketball and youth development, gathered at the Grill & Pool restaurant last week for the 2025 fundraising gala. The event celebrated The Power of the Game — from gamesmanship on the court to the academic discipline and career skills that basketball and the program impart.
This year’s honorees reflected the gala’s theme. One of them, Erika Irish Brown, head of talent management and engagement at Citi, decided instead of speeches, they would present a panel discussion. Moderating the panel, she was joined by fellow honorees, Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings, “the dynamic duo from the Bronx” behind the Earn Your Leisure Network, and Jose Minaya, global head of BNY Investments and Wealth, as well as coach Keydren Clark of Saint Peter’s University (a program alum), and writer/producer Crystal McCrary McGuire (Riverside Hawks parent).
“We really wanted to deliver some thought leadership and content around the importance of the program,” said Irish Brown. “We talked about the power of the game of basketball and how it changes lives and how it’s a means to acquire education at great institutions. Financial literacy is something that we provide our players. We talked about how NIL and the transfer portal have changed the game a bit and what people need to know. It was a great conversation showcasing everything that Riverside does for the players and the broader community.”
In addition to the High Academic League 17U championship team, there were coaches and other players. Two of Irish Brown’s three sons played with the Riverside Hawks, noting they built relationships that they will have their whole lives. “People who have helped develop them as young men, not just as players,” she said. Her son Brad presented the Coach of the Year award to Zach Kuba.
Phil Isom, chair of the board of the Riverside Hawks, said it was a very impactful night. Kuba referred to the Hawks as a community. “It really speaks to how you can bring people together around something other than political animosity and discourse,” said Isom. “Zach’s team is a diverse group of people from a wide range of backgrounds and they came together to have a really incredible season and win a championship that was a testament to people coming together.”