For many Americans, the start of fall symbolizes the start of football season. This fall, DON’T SLEEP, a social justice and advocacy group, is giving the city a chance to get in on football fun while supporting youth in the community.
Dominic Dorsey, president and founder of DON’T SLEEP, feels activism and outreach can take many forms. His organization has hosted panel discussions, organized film screenings and thrown block parties that support small businesses, all with the goal of promoting equity and liberation. On Saturday, Oct. 14, the group will bring the community together in a new and exciting way with the inaugural Hood Classic flag football tournament.
“We have the Circle City Classic, and I think that’s great. But with all due respect, it’s not the Circle City Classic I remember. It just isn’t. So how can we create an annual event that will once again be something the city kind of anticipates, allows individuals to get involved on multiple levels, integrates youth and adults of different ages, showcases many of the nonprofits, youth-serving and community organizations here doing great work in the city? It gives us an opportunity to grab collective attention, gather and redistribute resources, and most importantly have fun,” said Dorsey.
Eight teams are scheduled to play in the tournament, representing various local organizations including Moore Out of Life Speaks, The Grey Area Media, The Father’s Foundation, The Ross Foundation, Montana King Foundation and A.C.E. Project. The teams are co-ed, with a minimum of three males and three females.
The goal is to bring a fun, family-oriented event to a community that is often overlooked. Most of DON’T SLEEP’s events have been held in the west, central and near-east areas of the city. Hood Classic will take place at Arlington High School, giving the organization an opportunity to grow their presence on the east side.
While admission to the Classic is free, Dorsey wants attendees to support young people in Indianapolis. DON’T SLEEP is partnering with A.C.E Project to collect books for a mobile youth library, and funds from the concession stand will go toward Arlington High School’s student government association and cheer teams.
Dorsey says the main goal of the event is to have a good time.
“One of the most revolutionary things you can do in 2017 is be carefree and Black. Self-care is just as important as self-advocacy. This gets us all together in one place supporting community organizations, nonprofits, Black-owned media companies and churches,” he said. “The hope is that the youth will see men and women on the field displaying sportsmanship and camaraderie, the community will be exposed to organizations and entities that they maybe weren’t aware existed and be able to take advantage of the services and resources they offer.”
For more information about Hood Classic, visit naptowndontsleep.org.
Hood Classic Flag Football Tournament
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 14, starting at 11 a.m.
WHERE: Arlington High School
4825 N. Arlington Ave.,
Indianapolis, IN 46226
COST: Admission is free.
About DON’T SLEEP
DON’T SLEEP (Deconstructing Oppression Now Through Solidarity, Liberation, Empowerment, Equity and Perseverance) aims to embrace our unified struggle for equity and put an end to incidents of social injustice and political indifference that affect us as citizens. Find DON’T SLEEP on Facebook at facebook.com/naptowndontsleep.