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Our mission is to research, preserve, showcase, teach, and honor the pre-NBA history of African Americans in basketball.

We Research

With more than 20 years of continual, methodical research, we've created an unequaled body of knowledge, wisdom, and expertise about this once-buried history. Yet it's just the beginning. There's so much more to uncover and learn.

We Preserve

The Black Fives Historical Archives contain the world's leading collection of rare and historically important artifacts from the Black Fives Era of basketball, maintained and safeguarded in state-of-the-art storage facilities by a dedicated staff of professional archivists.
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We Showcase

With collaborative museum exhibitions and events, or through our own multimedia storytelling and editorial publicity, we place the pioneers and artifacts of this once forgotten but important history on center stage in the spotlight that they deserve.
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We Teach

Through engaging historical content and relevant storytelling, we lay out inspiring topics and valuable perspectives in areas like mindset, stewardship, dedication, teamwork, grit, and integrity. Our slogan is “Make History Now.”
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We Honor

By celebrating their achievements and advocating for their recognition, we give a voice to the voiceless once-forgotten Black Fives Era pioneers who paved the way for the modern game. We also salute historically important milestones, artifacts, and venues.

Our New Black FivesTM Online Fan Shop Is Open

We worked hard behind the scenes to make sure this opening coincided with the first Black Fives x PUMA drop we announced last week, which was released worldwide on February 12, 2021. ✊🏽

SHOP NOW
Our new Black Fives Online Fan Shop is open

We continually advocate on their behalf.

Clarence "Fats" Jenkins
New York Rens captain for 25 years, led team to 88 straight wins in 1933 and inaugural World Pro Championship in 1939.

Hudson "Huddy" Oliver, M.D.
Won 4 Colored Basketball World Championships with three different teams through early 1910s.

Clarence "Puggy" Bell
World Pro Championship titles with New York Rens (1939) and Washington Bears (1943).

Albert "Runt" Pullins
Key early Harlem Globe Trotters player who topped team owner Abe Saperstein's list of all-time greatest 'Trotters.

Will Anthony Madden
Won 4 Colored Basketball World Championships, pioneered off-court promotion.

William "Wee Willie" Smith
Star center led New York Rens to 88 straight wins during his rookie season and inaugural World Pro Championship in 1939.

Reece Tatum
⭐ Enshrined 2011.

Don Barksdale
⭐ Enshrined 2012.

Edwin B. Henderson
⭐ Enshrined 2013.

Nat Clifton
⭐ Enshrined 2014.

John Isaacs
⭐ Enshrined 2015.

Cumberland Posey
⭐ Enshrined 2016.

Zack Clayton
⭐ Enshrined 2017.

Ora Washington
⭐ Elected 2018.

Discover, Learn, Support.
Here's How.

Discover

Discover the rich history of the Black Fives Era! See our images and videos, read our articles, listen to our interviews, and explore our online exhibition of historical artifacts. Enjoy the storytelling, get inspired, and contribute some stories of your own!
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Learn

This isn't only Black History, it's American History. Learn why it's important. Appreciate its relevance today. Gain new insights into basketball and its progress. Realize the role of stewardship in keeping the sport special. And reinforce your own love of the game.
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Become A Supporter

Donate a one-time amount or become an ongoing patron for as little as $1.00 a month! You'll get access to our patron-only podcasts, videos, and experiences, as well as a high-quality thank you gift and tax-deductibility for your contribution!
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Mission basketball team

Join Our Mission

Add yourself to our email list. We'll send updates about ways you can help and also share important news, amazing images, latest articles, exciting milestones, special offers, and more. (Photo: David Skinner Collection)

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Support Our Historical Archives

The Black Fives Historical Archives contain an acclaimed collection of artifacts, photographs, ephemera, and objects relating to the Black Fives Era of basketball that is available for exhibition and content usage.

  • Loving Cup.

  • Handcrafted Footwear.

  • Epic Roster.

  • Proud Team.

  • Pivotal Headline.

  • Promotional Medallion.

  • Knee Protection.

  • Pro Contract.

  • Ticket Fragment.

The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits.

Albert Einstein, PageLines

Be a yardstick of quality. Some people are not used to an environment where excellence is expected.

Steve Jobs, PageLines

Any product that needs a manual to work is broken.

Elon Musk, PageLines

Watch:
“The Black Fives”

... a short film.

An overview of the pre-NBA history of African Americans in basketball, directed by award winning filmmaker Marco Williams, was an introduction for the New-York Historical Society's highly-acclaimed museum exhibition in 2014.

We maintain a portfolio of authentic Black Fives Era team names and logos that are historically accurate and forensically restored. To see the stories behind the teams represented by these logos, just click on any of them.

The team names, logos, service marks, and trademarks below are the property of the Black Fives Foundation. They constitute some, but not all, of the intellectual property we own and maintain. Any use without the expressed, written consent of the Black Fives Foundation is strictly prohibited. Please feel free to contact us for more information. Thank you.