In appreciation of Juneteenth, Rockets and Toyota Center employees took part Friday in a company-wide day of service at historic Freedmen’s Town, which is located in Houston’s Fourth Ward.
Young players Jabari Smith Jr. and Kevin Porter Jr. were joined at the site by general manager Rafael Stone, new head coach Ime Udoka, president of business operations Gretchen Sheirr and dozens of other staffers to conduct cleanup tasks at Saulnier House, Wiley Park and Freedmen’s Town Association. In 2020, the Rockets produced a video highlighting the area’s historical significance.
Saulnier House was one of the original homes built in Freedmen’s Town after emancipation was proclaimed in Texas on June 19, 1865.
After taking part in Friday’s service work, Stone, Udoka, and the players all met with lodal media members. Scroll on for a roundup of quotes, photos, and videos related to the organization’s service day, and click here for their responses to basketball-related questions.
Freedmen’s Town Day of Service
Very Cool Scene: The @HoustonRockets are getting a history lesson today as head coach Ime Udoka and others take a walking tour through Freedman’s Town @KHOU pic.twitter.com/owxiK6rKMT
— Matt Musil (@KHOUSportsMatt) June 2, 2023
Kevin Porter Jr. snapped off part of a tree as part of #Rockets service work, and he was very proud of it pic.twitter.com/kLea1Vwcz9
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) June 2, 2023
Rafael Stone, Jabari Smith Jr., Ime Udoka, and Kevin Porter Jr. are among the #Rockets helping out in today’s community service day at Freedmen’s Town pic.twitter.com/samVErrinZ
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) June 2, 2023
Kevin Porter Jr. on participating in the #Rockets company-wide Day of Service at Freedmen’s Town.
“I just want to be a part of things like this more and more…I love Houston.” pic.twitter.com/HRoj9p6NvN
— Coty M. Davis (@CotyDavis_24) June 2, 2023
#Rockets GM Rafael Stone, coach Ime Udoka, Kevin Porter Jr. and Jabari Smith Jr. took part in a company-wide Day of Service at historic Freedmen’s Town located in Fourth Ward. pic.twitter.com/pW8BJD5jbR
— Coty M. Davis (@CotyDavis_24) June 2, 2023
#Rockets players & staff took part in a Day Of Service today at historic Freedmen's Town@HoustonRockets @freedmenstowntx pic.twitter.com/10d0Vzm4da
— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) June 2, 2023
Inspiring day as the @HoustonRockets held a company-wide day of service in appreciation of Juneteenth!
The day included a tour of historic Freedmen Town & cleaning Saulnier House, one of the original homes built in Freedmen’s Town after emancipation was proclaimed in Texas. pic.twitter.com/uAMxnukyJf
— Vanessa Richardson (@SportsVanessa) June 2, 2023
