Early in the 2022-23 NBA season, the Phoenix Suns and FirstBank launched the FirstBank Empowerment Awards, a season-long program designed to strengthen marginalized communities through economic empowerment.
The program expands on the Los Suns Small Business MVP Award that the team started in 2018 and provides financial grants and marketing value to deserving minority-owned small businesses across the Valley.
Doubling down on the Suns’ commitment to celebrating and supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion, the Business of Pride Award highlights a small business in the LGBTQ+ community.
On April 6, 2023, during the team’s Pride Night game, the Suns in partnership with FirstBank recognized small business leaders Gabe Hagen and Jesse Shank of Brick Road Coffee in Tempe.
“This award means so much to us,” said Hagen and Shank. “Thank you to the Phoenix Suns and to FirstBank for the recognition and thank you for the support of the LGTBQ+ community. Now more than ever, it is so important that we stand together and show that we are a community, we are your neighbors and we will always be here.”