CLEVELAND — Editor's Note: The above podcast is from February 2, 2021
Throughout this season, Cleveland Cavaliers forward Larry Nance Jr. has been raising awareness about small businesses hit hard during the COVID-19 pandemic with a special campaign.
Nance has put out a call for for people to send him apparel from locally-owned businesses so that he can be pictured wearing it while walking into games throughout the 2020-21 NBA season. Nance is not only posting about wearing the item, but he is also auctioning his game-worn jersey from that night and matching the proceeds to donate to that particular business.
As Black History Month gets underway, Nance has focused his attention on minority-owned businesses in his first two game campaigns in February.
On Monday, Nance arrived at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse wearing a t-shirt supporting Magna Wine Boutique. "A couple that loves wine, and loves supporting other minority wine owners. They keep everything local and are proud of being right here in Cleveland," Nance tweeted.
Magna Wine Boutique was recently featured in a story by our own Carl Bachtel.
Although Nance didn't play on Monday because of injury, Cedi Osman donated his game-worn jersey in his teammate's place.
Nance continued his campaign on Wednesday as the Cavaliers hosted the Clippers. He shined a spotlight on Bedford's Daybreak Yoga. "We all know how much the fitness industry has been affected during Covid. Let's lend a hand to this minority owned yoga studio in Bedford."
With Nance still out of action, teammate Dylan Windler wore a Daybreak Yoga t-shirt prior to the game and then donated his game-worn jersey aftewards.
Here are some of the other businesses that have been supported by Nance's campaign this season:
- Boss Chicknbeer
- Six Shooter Coffee
- Crust Tremont
- Harness Cycle
- Larry's Auto Clinic
- 16-bit Bar + Arcade
- Bossk9cle
- Courtyard Cafe
- Premier Barber Studio
- Oh Pink! Party Shop
- Inca Tea
- Cleveland Yoga
- Munch 216
- KINK Contemporary
- NOOMA
- Ann's Pastry Shop
- Rise Nation
- Guarino's Restaurant
- Roasted Coffee
- The Grog Shop
Nance is asking that anyone looking to send him a t-shirt (size extra large), hat or piece of apparel do so by sending the item to the following address: 6101 Brecksville Road, Independence, Ohio 44131.
3News' Ben Axelrod contributed to this story
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