Ottawa BlackJacks Name Jayden Jones Operations Coordinator and Manager of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
The Ottawa BlackJacks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Wednesday the promotion of Jayden Jones to the role of Operations Coordinator and Manager of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI).
The first CEBL franchise to introduce this new position, the Ottawa BlackJacks are committed to do their part in continuing to take meaningful actions to support the implementation of EDI best practices internally and within the community.
Jones will act as an EDI subject matter leader and advisor to the organization by contributing perspective and guidance on current EDI trends, insights, and data, while working collaboratively with the Ottawa BlackJacks Front Office staff on potential strategic partnerships with organizations that feature diverse populations.
In an effort to create a long-lasting inclusive culture and to promote inclusive behavior, Jones will also collaborate with the BlackJacks President Michael Cvitkovic on EDI implementations within the workplace and into every BlackJacks game day experience.
Prior to serving as Operations Coordinator for the club, Jones served as a Manager of Season Seat Membership Services for the BlackJacks. Growing up in Belleville, Ontario, Jones graduated with a post-graduate diploma in Sports and Events Marketing at George Brown College. He co-founded and led Toronto4Change, a not-for-profit organization dedicated towards eradicating systemic racism, police brutality and all hate crimes against the Black community in the Greater Toronto Area. Jayden also became a member of Black in Sport Business, an organization that aims to connect and encourage the presence of black professionals in the sport industry across Canada. This allowed him to engage with like-minded professionals that helped him find a career path in the CEBL.
Jones also attended Loyalist College and graduated with a diploma in Radio Broadcasting and another in Public Relations and Event Management. While at Loyalist, he was a member of the men's varsity volleyball team from 2015-2018.
In his spare time, Jones gives back to the basketball community in Belleville by assisting in player development with the Loyalist women's varsity basketball team and other youth development programs.
Minority-owned organizations or businesses from Ottawa/Gatineau who are interested in learning more about partnership opportunities with the Ottawa BlackJacks can contact Jayden Jones at [email protected].
Quotes:
“Representation has always been important to me. As a minority growing up in a small town in Ontario, I saw first-hand the lack of representation in the sports industry that I aspired to be a part of. Being promoted to this role will allow me to utilize my experiences and bring amazing initiatives to the Ottawa - Gatineau region. I hope that young minorities in Canada see this new role as a sign that basketball is for everyone and that the BlackJacks are committed to taking action and uplifting minority communities.”
- Jayden Jones, Operations Coordinator and Manager of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
“We are grateful to have a teammate such as Jayden who can help the organization continue to grow with a focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion. As the most popular sport in our country, it is important that basketball celebrates its diversity not just on the court, but also in the front office, through internships, and volunteer opportunities, in addition to community and corporate engagement. Representation matters and the Ottawa BlackJacks hope that by adding this EDI portfolio, we can lead by example.”
-Michael Cvitkovic, President, Ottawa BlackJacks Basketball Club
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About the Ottawa BlackJacks
The first expansion franchise of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), the Ottawa BlackJacks showcase the best of basketball and entertainment in the nation’s capital. Having recently completed its third season, the BlackJacks have reached the championship semifinal three times. The Ottawa front office brings NBA, NBA G League, national team, NCAA and major international pro league experience to the franchise. Led by General Manager and Vice-President, Basketball Operations Jevohn Shepherd, Ottawa plays its home games out of the world-class Arena at TD Place in Lansdowne Park. For more information visit www.theblackjacks.ca.
About Canadian Elite Basketball League
The CEBL features 10 teams in six provinces, making it the largest pro sports league in Canada. The CEBL has the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 71 percent of its 2022 rosters being Canadian. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U Sports. The only First Division Professional League Partner of Canada Basketball, the CEBL season runs May through August. More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.
Social Media
Facebook: /OttawaBlackJacks
Twitter: @Ott_Blackjacks
Instagram: ottawablackjacks
Contact:
Marika Guérin
Director, Communications, Community and Brand
Ottawa BlackJacks Professional Basketball Club