The crowd filling the American Airlines Center on Monday morning was slightly different than the fans typically packed into the arena for a Mavs game.
This bunch featured nearly 1,000 young women from middle and high schools across the Metroplex excited to experience the Mavs’ 4th Annual GEM Celebration.
Launched by the Mavericks in 2021, the GEM program, or Girls Empowered by Mavericks, focuses on using physical activity, financial literacy, mental wellness, and education on STEM opportunities as a foundation to support the development and success of young women.
Mavs CEO Rick Welts and SVP of corporate sponsorships Brittanie Boyd kicked off this year’s celebration with opening remarks before launching into the program, designed to empower the young women in attendance to pursue their passions endlessly.
The event featured a lineup of inspiring guest speakers and panel discussions, including:
“There were so many different amazing speakers sharing and pouring into these young women,” said Kristen “KJ” Grassi, the Mavs Academy Manager who oversees GEM programming. “The girls have a village supporting them in their growth and learning. We really want them to know that the GEM program is here to help them grow, to help them find their career, their future, their dreams, and help guide them in whatever that might be while equipping them with the knowledge to get to that place.”
The Mavs ManiAACs and D-Town crew set the tone early, bringing the energy and drawing the girls into the experience from the very start. The ladies offered screaming cheers for each speaker and thoughtful participation in the Q&A sessions. And they all gave Miley a run for her money during the Party in the USA karaoke sing-along!
Between the rich conversations with panelists offering valuable information on topics like leadership, self-confidence, and perseverance, the students also got to experience an educational expo.
Everyone was free to explore the stations spanning the circumference of the arena’s concourse, where they spoke to representatives from various community organizations and gained access to key resources.
“I’ve worked my whole life to be an ally to women, especially in the sports industry,” said Welts. “I’m a girl dad, helped to launch the WNBA, which is one of the more meaningful things for me…my sister was the first female media relations director for any NBA team— the women in my life inspire me every day.
“I want the girls here to leave knowing that anything’s possible with belief in yourself, the willingness to try things you’re afraid of, and taking chances you’re not sure will be successful.
“I think we don’t often enough push that idea with our young women, as we do with young men, and I think that is a key to personal and professional success. So, they’re going to come out of this very inspired by the stories they heard. And hopefully, they’ll chart their own path, and we’ll see them back here in 20 years talking to this group.”
The young women exited the arena with their passions for discovery satisfied, a renewed sense of confidence, and belief that their futures are limitless. Through events like the GEM Celebration, the Mavericks further their investment in the next generation of female leaders, ensuring their voices are heard far beyond American Airlines Center.
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