The Minnesota Timberwolves are currently vying for the NBA Western Conference championship, potentially inching closer to an NBA title. However, their impact extends beyond the basketball court as they engage in a different battle—one focused on racial justice and social inequalities within the state, particularly following the tragic killing of George Floyd in May 2020 on a Minneapolis street.
At the forefront of this endeavor is Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Tru Pettigrew, who has been instrumental in driving actionable change alongside members of the team. Despite initially turning down the opportunity to work with the Timberwolves twice, Pettigrew, 56, eventually recognized the significance of the role and accepted the offer.
Reflecting on his journey, Pettigrew remarked, "We all had those callings and those assignments at different seasons of our lives. I was called here to build those bridges. There were phenomenal people here doing work but they were working in silos. Sports brings people together from all walks of life."
Pettigrew's efforts commenced with fostering trust between the Minneapolis Police and the team's players, who actively participated in marches with activists against police brutality, mere blocks away from their home court. The spotlight was firmly on Minnesota, a state marked by one of the widest income inequality gaps between Black and white residents in the nation, particularly in the wake of Floyd's tragic killing.
Internally, the organization embarked on initiatives to address social inequality and racial injustice. This included establishing employee resource groups catering to employees of color and LGBTQ+ staffers, supplementing the existing women's group.
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