June 5th 2024.
Despite falling short of making it to the NBA Finals, the Minnesota Timberwolves have found a champion in their own organization when it comes to diversity and inclusion. Meet Tru Pettigrew, the team's chief diversity and inclusion officer, who has been instrumental in leading the Timberwolves to become leaders in the fight for social injustices after the tragic killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis in 2020.
But Pettigrew's journey with the Timberwolves wasn't an easy one. He actually turned down the opportunity to work with the team not once, but twice, before finally giving in. As he told NBC News, sometimes in life we are called to certain assignments and it was his calling to build bridges with the Timberwolves. He saw that there were already amazing people doing important work within the organization, but they were working in silos. Pettigrew recognized that sports have the power to bring people from all different backgrounds together, and he wanted to harness that power to create positive change.
In 2021, Pettigrew took on the role of chief diversity and inclusion officer in addition to his position as chief impact officer of his own company, Tru Access, based in North Carolina. As soon as he arrived in Minnesota, he hit the ground running, building trust between the Minneapolis Police and the team's players. The Timberwolves players had been on the front lines during protests against police brutality, standing with the Minneapolis community, and Pettigrew worked to strengthen that partnership.
In the midst of the Black Lives Matter movement, all eyes were on Minnesota, and Pettigrew was determined to use that spotlight to make a difference. He and his team at the Timberwolves made commitments to addressing social inequality and racial injustices, both within the organization and in the community. One of their first steps was creating resource groups for employees of color and LGBTQ+ staff members. This was soon followed by the growth of already established women's groups. The team also made a bold move by giving their players and staff the day off on Election Day, making them one of the first NBA teams to do so.
Pettigrew's work has been recognized and praised, with the Timberwolves being hailed as a "secret weapon in the equity playbook." The team has received numerous awards for their efforts, including the NBA Inclusion Leadership Award in 2024, which recognizes excellence in promoting inclusion through programming. Their star player, Karl Anthony Towns, was also named the NBA Social Justice Champion for the 2023-24 season. Towns used his platform to advocate for the "Restore the Vote Act," a bipartisan bill that was passed to restore voting rights to over 55,000 former felons in Minnesota. Thanks to this new state law, those with felony convictions can now vote as soon as they are released from prison.
Pettigrew and the Timberwolves team may not have a championship trophy, but they have something even more important - the recognition and impact of their work. As Pettigrew humbly stated, "you can't always measure what matters." But when others start to recognize and acknowledge the impact of their efforts, it becomes even more fulfilling. For Pettigrew, it's not about winning awards or receiving recognition, but knowing that he is making a difference in the world.
And he certainly has made a difference in the community that the Timberwolves serve. In March 2024, Pettigrew led the team to partner with U.S. Bank for the Community Cultural Experience Tour, a tour of Black-owned businesses on Minneapolis' north side. This collaboration not only raised awareness but also aimed to challenge and correct the negative stereotypes and false narratives that are often associated with this area of the city.
Tru Pettigrew may not be a star player on the court, but his impact and leadership off the court have made a huge difference for the Minnesota Timberwolves and their community. He has helped the team become champions in diversity, equity, and inclusion, and is a true inspiration for organizations and individuals alike.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
