On February 6, 2024, the New Jersey Devils are set to host their annual Black History Celebration Night at the Prudential Center, where they will go up against the Colorado Avalanche in a 7:30 p.m. game. This event, dedicated to Black History Month, will be presented by PeduL, marking the first time PeduL has been the title sponsor for the celebration night. The night will feature custom-designed jerseys, in-game branding, and various activations.
PeduL, known for receiving helmet branding for the Devils’ road games this season courtesy of Prudential Financial, has played a significant role in the event. The first 9,000 fans attending the game will receive a mini helmet courtesy of Prudential, marking the fourth Hockey Is for Everyone game of the season for the Devils.
Local artist Doune Clermont, hailing from Jersey City, New Jersey, has created the custom jerseys for the Black History Celebration Night. Born in Haiti, Clermont drew inspiration from black female artists and traditional Haitian paintings. The jerseys pay tribute to everyday unsung heroes who have served as inspiration for notable black leaders throughout history. These figures include grandparents tending to the children of political leaders during meetings, siblings inspiring black writers, and parents motivating their children to pursue dreams.
The color palette of the jerseys is symbolic, with red representing the blood of ancestors, black symbolizing historical ethnicity, and green representing fertile land. The jerseys aim to weave a narrative that embraces the rich history of blackness, acknowledging both triumphs and tribulations. The jerseys worn during player arrivals will be auctioned between February 6 and February 13, with proceeds benefiting Newark Emergency Services for Families.
Before the game, there will be a panel and networking event in the Prudential Lounge, moderated by Brielle Lewis, Director of Corporate Sponsorship Strategy for Prudential Financial. The discussion will focus on valuable tips for social media strategy, featuring directors of social media from Prudential Financial and the New Jersey Devils, along with two additional industry experts.
As part of the celebration night, PeduL’s CEO and Co-Founder, Chisa Egbelu, will be featured in various content pieces throughout the event, including radio intermission reports and interviews. The National Anthem will be sung by Arlette, commemorating her 25 years as the Devils’ beloved anthem singer. A feature video highlighting Arlette’s career will be shared in-game and on social channels.
In-game activations include recognizing networking event attendees, artist spotlight features, concourse performances, and featured food items from Melba’s and Bro-Ritos. Fans will have the chance to enter a QR code sweepstake to win a team-signed helmet. The event will also host 140 youth from community groups, including YMCA Newark Housing & Social Responsibility, Youth Advocate Programs, and Hockey in New Jersey, courtesy of Prudential.
As part of Prudential Center’s shadowing program, Barringer High School in Newark will have an in-game experience working with the teams in Corporate Partnerships Activation and Game Presentation. Funds raised through the night’s 50/50 will benefit Kismet of Kings, a nonprofit organization and after-school program in Jersey City dedicated to empowering black and brown male and teenage students from low-income and underserved neighborhoods, providing them with essential mentorship, character development, and life skills training.
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