Building Community Through Basketball: Insights from the Filmmakers of ‘Hoops, Hopes & Dreams’
Documenting Civil Rights Through Sports: The Untold Story of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Basketball Legacy
A new documentary, Hoops, Hopes & Dreams, directed by Glenn Kaino, sheds light on a lesser-known aspect of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s activism—his connection to basketball. The film reveals how King and his fellow civil rights leaders used the game to unify communities and engage individuals in the movement.
The documentary premiered at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, where it garnered significant acclaim, winning the Best Documentary Short Award at the Cleveland International Film Festival and receiving an Honorable Mention at the Hamptons International Film Festival. Through a blend of interviews with notable figures, including Jemele Hill, Andrew Young, and Reggie Love, along with animated segments, the film explores themes of justice, the effectiveness of President Obama’s campaign, and sports as a vehicle for political activism.
In a recent interview, Kaino recounted how the story first came to his attention. “I had never heard that story before until Andrew told me about it,” he said, referring to Andrew Young, a key figure in the civil rights movement. Kaino, who identifies as a King student, sought input from scholars to verify the narrative, discovering that little was known about this facet of King’s activism. “We realized that this could be a very special story about building community in a unique way,” Kaino added.
Alexys Feaster, who joined the project later, echoed Kaino’s surprise at the story’s obscurity. “I called friends at the African American History Museum to see if they had any footage, and they hadn’t heard of it either,” Feaster recalled. Despite initial skepticism about the legitimacy of the story, she recognized its validity through the lens of historical context. “It made sense once you start thinking through the history: he had to have done something to build community that we weren’t taught about.”
Kaino noted the rich detail shared by Young about their basketball experiences, which helped solidify the story’s authenticity in his mind: “That’s a level of specificity that makes me believe that it’s true.”
The documentary also connects King’s legacy to President Obama. “We started with Ambassador Young as our anchor,” Kaino explained, detailing how basketball served as a cultural bridge throughout civil rights history. Feaster, who had a role in Obama’s campaign, highlighted the synergy between sports and political engagement. “It was an obvious opportunity to tell the story of how Obama did the same thing,” she noted.
Animation plays a crucial role in telling this narrative. Kaino explained the challenges of sourcing visuals, revealing that no photographs existed of King playing basketball. “We called everyone we knew to see if anyone had a photo, but we couldn’t find any,” he said. Instead, the team opted to work with skilled animators who had a passion for basketball, ensuring the authenticity of the visual representation.
As audiences engage with Hoops, Hopes & Dreams, Kaino hopes viewers will find relatability in the film’s portrayal of iconic leaders. “I think this is a story about connectivity, camaraderie, and team building,” he stated. Feaster added, “We are in a time when we need hope… We can each do our part.”
The film ultimately aims to inspire reflection on community building through the lens of sports, illustrating the potential for collective action in today’s society.
[This interview has been edited for length and clarity.]
