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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 23, 2022

Media Contact:
Carolina Gamero
carolina.gamero@berlinrosen.com
310-893-9038

Hennessy & Hispanic Federation Announce $2.5MM Round of Unfinished Business Funding in Partnership with the NBA to support Latinx Business

Hennessy teams up with the Hispanic Federation and other partner organizations to award $2.5 million to continue supporting Black, Asian, and Latino-owned small businesses that have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic

NEW YORK – Hennessy, the world's best-selling Cognac and Official Spirit of the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League; the Hispanic Federation, the nation's premier Latino nonprofit membership organization; and USA Basketball today announced that it will award $2.5 million dollars to nearly 350 Latino, Black, and Asian-owned small businesses across the country. Hennessy's Unfinished Business program was initially launched at the height of the pandemic. Hispanic Federation will work in partnership with Hennessy, the NBA, and select NBA teams to continue this successful program. Hispanic Federation and other partner organizations, including One Hundred Black Men and the Asian American Business Development Center, will distribute the funding in $7,500 awards to Latino, Black, and Asian-owned small businesses which have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic. In addition, Hennessy has teamed up with Naismith Hall-of-Famer and member of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary team, Gary Payton, who will help spotlight 75 Unfinished Business recipients that are making a heroic impact in their communities over the course of the rest of the season.

“We’re proud to partner with Henessy’s Unfinished Business program to support the lifelines of our communities. Latino, Black, and Asian-owned small businesses have faced immense challenges during the pandemic and continue to face an uphill battle to rebuild from the economic fallout. This partnership will help us directly support these small business owners who have been overlooked despite the fact that they power our local economies. With the Unfinished Business program, we’re truly setting our country on a path toward an equitable recovery,” said Frankie Miranda, President and CEO of the Hispanic Federation.

“The NBA has been at the forefront of culture for the past 75 years and they truly embody Hennessy’s ‘Never stop. Never settle.’ ethos, driving the game's global influence and impacting communities around the world,” said Jasmin Allen, Senior Vice President, Hennessy US. “We’re honored to collaborate with the NBA to expand our long-term Unfinished Business initiative and work together to provide meaningful support and direct resources to small businesses that continue to define and shape the culture of local communities.”

By working with the NBA, Hennessy is extending the reach of its Unfinished Business initiative, channeling invaluable support from the league, teams, and players. To date, over $5MM in funding has been distributed in conjunction with partner organizations including the Hispanic Federation, One Hundred Black Men, and the Asian American Business Development Center, to small businesses that have been disproportionately impacted by systemic inequality. In this round, a minimum of three eligible businesses will be selected within 100 miles of certain metropolitan regions.

Participating teams include:

Eastern Conference:

  • Atlanta Hawks
  • Charlotte Hornets
  • Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Detroit Pistons
  • Indiana Pacers
  • Milwaukee Bucks
  • Orlando Magic
  • Philadelphia 76ers
  • Washington Wizards

Western Conference:

  • Dallas Mavericks
  • Denver Nuggets
  • Golden State Warriors
  • Los Angeles Lakers
  • Memphis Grizzlies
  • Minnesota Timberwolves
  • New Orleans Pelicans
  • Sacramento Kings

Applications are now open and will remain open for one week. Eligible small business owners can apply via www.hennessy.com/en-us/unfinished-business.

To learn more about Make Moves That Start Movements and Hennessy’s Unfinished Business initiative, please visit Hennessy.com, Facebook.com/Hennessy or Instagram.com/HennessyUS.