Celebrating Community on the Field
The Hockey Diversity Alliance, a nonprofit founded by current and former NHL players of color, is turning its SummerFest in Toronto into a hybrid celebration of sport and culture. This year the event adds a football component, inviting former NFL running back Marshawn Lynch to join the festivities.
Lynch will not only compete in a celebrity ball‑hockey game but also lead a football clinic for youth, sharing his playbook and personal story with the next generation of athletes.
Since its launch in 2020, the Alliance has been dedicated to removing barriers in hockey by providing free equipment, hosting clinics and renting ice time for underserved communities. The organization now operates in cities ranging from Los Angeles and New York to Montreal, Nova Scotia and, as of next month, Calgary.
With an annual budget of roughly $1.1 million, the HDA has already impacted more than 2,000 lives, a figure that chairman Akim Aliu expects to swell to over 4,000 participants at this summer’s gathering.
Aliu, a Nigerian‑born former pro player who moved to Toronto at age seven, will be present alongside a star‑studded guest list that includes Olympic sprinter Andre De Grasse, Olympic champion Bianca Andreescu, actor Luke Wilson and NBA veteran Serge Ibaka.
The festival will also feature performances, carnival attractions, rides and a fundraising gala, turning the rink into a vibrant marketplace of ideas and inspiration.
Beyond the ice, the Alliance has chronicled Aliu’s journey in a graphic novel titled *Akim Aliu Dreamer: Growing Up Black in the World of Hockey*, published in 2022, underscoring the power of storytelling in driving change.