San Antonio Spurs Player Harrison Barnes’ Visit to African American Museum Is More Than a Photo Op
By Leroy Adams
Source: First National Bank
Harrison Barnes: A Player with a Purpose Beyond the Court
San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes is much more than an athlete; he’s a voice for change, deeply committed to using his platform to elevate conversations on social justice and Black history. His Twitter feed alone serves as a blueprint for how athletes can use their influence to inspire and uplift communities. Long before it became common for NBA players to take public stands on political and social issues, Barnes was tweeting about ending police brutality and encouraging voter participation, especially when the nation was rocked by the George Floyd protests and the 2020 election.
Barnes’s activism was already in full swing by 2018 when he joined forces with the non-partisan organization “When We All Vote,” using his platform to push for increased voter turnout during the midterm elections.
Fast forward to today, and Barnes continues to embody the notion that athletes are more than just entertainers—they are citizens first, with the power to influence real-world change. A study of his Twitter feed demonstrates a person deeply connected to issues ranging from humanitarian crises like the earthquake in Haiti to ending voter suppression and uplifting Black history and social progress.
This is why his recent visit to the San Antonio African American Community Archive and Museum (SAAACAM) should surprise no one, as it feels like a natural extension of his ongoing work. SAAACAM, like Barnes, has been an active force in uplifting Black history, community engagement, and social progress in San Antonio.
A Legacy of Activism On and Off the Court
Harrison Barnes has long been a leader in social justice efforts within the NBA. From his involvement with "When We All Vote" to his work following the tragic death of George Floyd, Barnes’s commitment to justice is undeniable. He was one of the first NBA players to publicly address the Minneapolis police officer’s killing of Floyd, drawing a direct line between that tragedy and similar events, such as the police killing of Stephon Clark in Sacramento. The parallels between these incidents resonated deeply with Barnes, who saw firsthand how his local community rallied around Clark’s death in 2018.
In an interview with Forbes, Barnes acknowledged that some fans might be offended by his activism, but for him, being an educated citizen takes precedence over his identity as a basketball star.
“At the end of the day, you’re a person before you are a basketball player,” he said in a recent interview. “And it can be easy for some people to want separation, but the reality is, as soon as you turn off your TV, as soon as you walk out of the arena, you can’t distance yourself from those issues. So just like you would bring anything else you want to promote into your arena, bringing these issues and these topics is part of the deal.”
Barnes has donated $200,000 to eight organizations that help families who have lost loved ones to police brutality. And when, in late May, video circulated of a Minneapolis police officer kneeling on the neck of George Floyd, who eventually died, Barnes—who was in Sacramento as a visiting player with the Mavericks at the time—was moved to direct action, like so many across the country.
In Sacramento, Barnes joined thousands of residents in the streets to demand change, highlighting the city's political awareness and passion for justice. His continued advocacy, both online and in person, places him at the forefront of athlete activism in the NBA. When the pandemic hit and the world slowed down, Barnes noted how the realities of police violence could no longer be swept under the rug. The NBA responded by amplifying players' voices, opening arenas for voting, and making substantial financial commitments to social justice causes—a shift that Barnes had long advocated for.
Building Relationships with Black Legacy Institutions
It’s no surprise that Barnes would eventually visit and form a relationship with institutions like SAAACAM—soon to be the third-largest African American museum in the country—a Black legacy museum that has made significant contributions to the San Antonio community. SAAACAM, known for its efforts in preserving and promoting African American culture and history in San Antonio, aligns perfectly with Barnes’s values of community engagement and social responsibility. For an athlete so intimately connected to Black history and justice, a visit to such an institution is not just a photo op; it’s an extension of the work he’s been doing for years.
During his visit, Barnes sat down with SAAACAM’s board president, Jay Gibbs, and Chief Administrative Officer, Jeff May, to discuss the museum’s mission. He was also given a private tour of the museum’s future home in downtown San Antonio at the historic Kress Building, growing from 750 square feet to over 20,000 square feet of exhibition space. Barnes learned how the five-floor cultural center will be remodeled into a new space featuring exhibits, an auditorium, event space, and a boutique hotel.
It’s unclear whether the visit was organized by the Spurs—perhaps as part of introducing players, especially those with African American heritage, to the community—or if Barnes took it upon himself to reach out to the museum. Regardless of how it happened, there’s no doubt the museum and the community are appreciative of the attention their stories are receiving.
Source: Dallas Morning News
The visit reflects Barnes's ongoing mission, expressed through his firm, Barnes & Co., to engage, inspire, and support at-risk youth and underserved minority communities through programs, mentorship, and sponsorship focused on:
Social Injustice
Literacy and Academic Achievement
Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship
Women’s Entrepreneurship
Holistic Wellness
Just as he uses his platform to drive conversations around voting rights and police reform, his visit to SAAACAM reflects his commitment to community engagement and uplifting Black history. It seem, with this visit, Barnes will continue to deepen his ties to the communities he serves, both as a player and as an advocate.
