The Wheeler-Dowe Boys & Girls Club of Indianapolis just unveiled a major update to its recreational space thanks to NBA Cares and Emirates.
Emirates, the Official Airline Partner of the NBA and NBA Cares teamed up to renovate a multipurpose room at the Wheeler-Dowe Boys & Girls Club. As the 2025 presenting partner for NBA Cares Finals Legacy Projects, Emirates funds positive community initiatives around the country, including the renovations at Boys & Girls Clubs across the country, including Wheeler-Dowe in Indianapolis.
Representatives from Emirates joined Mark Tatum, NBA Deputy Commissioner and CEO; Steve Simon, Indiana Pacers Alternate Governor; Mel Raines, CEO of Pacers Sports & Entertainment; and Mayor Joe Hogsett on June 12 at the Wheeler-Dowe Club for the unveiling and ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“We know just how big of an impact that sports can have on our city, and it’s manifested by this Boys and Girls Club today,” Hogsett said during the ribbon cutting ceremony. “They bring real change to our community, and this is especially evident here today as we celebrate the brand-new multi-purpose space at the Wheeler-Dowe Boys and Girls Club.”
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Established 1972, the Wheeler-Dowe Boys & Girls Club of Indianapolis plays a huge role in supporting and developing Hoosier youth. Located in the heart of Martindale Brightwood, the Wheeler-Dowe Club is one of 10 sites of Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis where kids can safely access and enjoy extra-curricular activities after school programming and participate in mentorships designed to help them reach “discover their full potential and enjoy healthy and active lifestyles,” according to a press release.
From education career development to character and leadership development, health and life skills, sports and the arts programming, Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis has served more than 7,300 youth across its 10 locations across the city.
“Together with our partners at the Pacers, NBA Cares, the NBA Finals Legacy Project, Emirates, we celebrate a special effort for the heart and soul of our community, our kiddos, our babies,” said Maggie Lewis, CEO and Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis and City-County Councilor (District 5). “They came here to invest in improving and upgrading our facilities — an investment in the future of our youth, both here and at home right now across the country and for many years to come. … Because of the improvements in this room, each of you have the keys to a successful future.”
Emirates and NBA Cares funded a full makeover for the Wheeler-Dowe multipurpose room, including new paint, graphics, updated technology, gaming equipment, consoles, new furniture and accessible storage for books and games. The renovations aim to provide “an inspiring and creative space for kids of all age groups to enjoy,” according to a press release.
“At Emirates, giving back is at the core of everything that we do, not just on our aircrafts, but on the ground and the places that we service,” said Matthew Jones, Emirates’ VP-USA. “We’re a proud partner with the NBA and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis, and we’re proud to bring this vision to life.”
This investment in Hoosier youth belongs to Emirates’ larger financial investment initiatives, uplifting communities and supporting the well-being and aspirations of young people across the country. In restoring community clubs and recreational spaces that contribute to youth enrichment and development, the airline hopes to assist community efforts that foster “essential life skills, academic growth, and positive mentorship through sports and recreation,” according to a press release.
After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, a commemorative plaque highlighting the role the NBA and Emirates played in supporting the renovation project was placed at the club’s multipurpose room. Youth who attended the event also got to participate in a Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA youth basketball clinic with Indiana Pacers coaches and players.
To learn more about The Boys & Girls Club of Indianapolis, visit bgcindy.org. For more information about the NBA Cares initiative or Emirates, visit emirates.com.
Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx.
Chloe McGowan is the Arts & Culture Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper. Originally from Columbus, OH, Chloe graduated with a degree in journalism from The Ohio State University. She is a former IndyStar Pulliam Fellow, and her previous work includes freelancing for Indy Maven, Assistant Arts & Life Editor for The Lantern, and editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Chloe enjoys covering all things arts and culture — from local music, visual art, dance, theater and film, as well as minority-owned businesses. In her free time, Chloe enjoys reading, cooking and keeping her plants alive.
