New York Liberty All-Star Tina Charles earns another special honor

The New York Liberty didn’t have many wins on the court in 2019, but their players continue to collect victories away from the hardwood. Tina Charles’ commitment to helping the community earned her another significant honor.

The New York Liberty finished the 2019 season with a below .500 record missing the playoffs. The poor record ironically helped their chances of snagging the number one overall pick in the 2020 WNBA draft. The veteran core led by All-Star Tina Charles has kept busy off the court by remaining active in the community.

Charles’ became the Liberty’s all-time leader in points scored earlier in the season while making her directorial debut at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival. The excellence both on and off the court for the Queens, New York native, has been a staple of her personality and generous spirit. Charles is the founder of Hopey’s Heart Foundation focused on preventing sudden cardiac arrest deaths across the nation and the globe.

The program aims to place AEDs and CPR certify the five boroughs of New York City with a priority on low and moderate-income communities. Charles has consistently donated her WNBA salary to the cause, and her efforts were recognized last Thursday night by The Shadow League during its 6th annual awards dinner.

Charles spoke about receiving the Leadership Award with Empire Writes Back before the ceremony in New York City.

"“I’m thankful for the non-profit organization and the film I did “Charlies Records”, said Charles, this goes to the recognition of my father and all the recipients that want to keep their hearts safe with the placement of AEDs so to me it’s less about me and more about the individuals that inspired me to do the work.”"

The Shadow League hosted its 6th Annual Shadow League Awards Dinner to celebrate the remarkable achievements of men and women of color who are trailblazers in the world of sports. Along with Charles other honorees included legendary Georgetown University Men’s Basketball Coach John Thompson, ESPN Analyst Maria Taylor and Pepsi Head of Basketball Marketing, Charece Williams-Gee. Television personality Eboni K. Williams hosted the event, and Shadow League Senior Vice President Yussuf Khan was on hand to explain the importance of the organization.

"“We started the Shadow League to help give voice to a lot of people who didn’t have voices,  said Khan, we were the first ones since 2012 to address the intersection of sports and culture”"

Charles has been an ambassador for her community since entering the league and continues to lead the charge in saving lives off the court.