Even after enrolling at Winston-Salem State University, NBA player Chris Paul maintained his dedication to the HBCU community. Organized through the Chris Paul Basketball Academy, HBCU CON will provide opportunities for athletic students like himself to prepare for the NBA league that he has thrived in for years. Read all about the multi-day event in the story below.

The HBCU CON, a weeklong basketball and academic experience for elite players from historically Black colleges and universities, will be offering instruction embedded with skill development from former and current NBA professionals and training for male and female HBCU student-athletes aspiring to play professionally.

HBCU CON will occur June 12-19, 2021, at the Chris Paul Basketball Academy in Winston-Salem, NC. The weeklong event will encompass a two-day tournament with a televised championship game played on Juneteenth, seminars, college fair, vendors, and E-Sports lounge. More importantly, an internship initiative will be available to support HBCU students obtain real-life training and industry connections in the pursuit of a business career in sports. Some of the proceeds from the event, which is in partnership with TLS Sports, The B’elle Group, Cxmmunity, and HBCU Gameday, will be donated to HBCUs.

“HBCU CON was created because we weren’t seeing adequate representation of HBCU athletes being drafted to the professional ranks nor HBCU graduates involved on the business side of sports whether a corporate or production position,” says Chuck Stinson (graduate of Morehouse College), Managing Director of TLS Sports. “We see the issue as a lack of exposure, training, and knowledge.”

TLS Co-Founder & CEO, Cicero Leak added: “TLS is excited about the launch of HBCU CON. We look forward to helping level the playing field for those who attend historically black colleges or universities that aspire to make it to the next level but are overlooked.”

“The Chris Paul Basketball Academy is excited about the opportunity to host the first-ever HBCU CON. Our organization understands the history that these illustrious universities carry, and we want to continue to bring attention to them on a national scale. This event will allow athletes who are not always in the national spotlight to gain valuable exposure that will hopefully propel them to the next level professionally,” says Julian Flack, General Manager of the Chris Paul Basketball Academy.