About
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The Black Fives Era In Perspective
One African American team, the New York Renaissance (aka Harlem “Rens”) emerged and stood apart as arguably the most successful basketball team of the century, regardless of race or ethnicity.
From 1923 to 1948, the Rens won 2,588 of 3,117 games – a staggering winning percentage of 83% sustained over a 25-year period!
The Rens ushered in the Harlem Renaissance period, smashed the color barrier in pro basketball, and helped pave the way for the Civil Rights Movement.
The teams and players of the Black Fives Era created something from nothing, with no road map, no guidelines, no instructions, and no recipe.
With definite plans, collective purpose, and relentless pursuit, they kept climbing to higher levels and succeeding on bigger and bigger stages despite a multitude of fears, doubts, internal and external obstacles.
All the while they fostered hope, pride, unity, and self-esteem among African Americans during the most pivotal period in black history of the last century.
The men and women of the Black Fives Era were true basketball pioneers whose desire simply to play their best and innovate the game opened doors for generations of African American players.
In doing so they left a worldwide legacy that inspires all ballers to this day.
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