Howard University’s men’s basketball season ended Thursday in a first-round loss to the NCAA tournament after ending a 31-year tournament drought, but as historic as their season is, their commitment to helping others off the pitch is equally impressive.
After each road trip this season, the Bisons collected unused toiletries from their hotel rooms and donated them to Mamatoto Village, a nonprofit focused on black maternal health.
“It feels good that they’re like, here’s some shampoo, here’s some essentials we don’t have to worry about,” said Mariah Oates of Mamatoto Village. “It just takes that extra burden away.”
Bison players are also donating their time by volunteering at Mamatoto Village this season.
“It’s really special to be able to stand up for something that doesn’t necessarily directly affect you,” guard Jelani Williams said. “It’s been very touching for us off the pitch to see the impact we’ve been able to make.”
Mamatoto Village’s partnership kicked off this season and has already made a difference to the mothers who go there.
“Let them keep our moms front and center because many of our moms come from these underserved communities and may not have these resources readily available,” Oates said.
The organization offers perinatal services like labor and breastfeeding support to women in underserved parts of the DC area.
Having young men contributing to the cause is a big boost, Oates said.
“They are partners,” she said. “They have mothers; they have sisters. And they’re such a partner in this fight, so for them to choose black maternal health as a social justice initiative is incredible in itself.
“When you think of the best teams, they’re the most connected off the pitch,” Williams said.
Many different sports programs across the country participate in the Screening and Recovery initiative, which helps a network of charities.
