Passion is a common denominator for successful people in any business. And it’s especially important for those in the entertainment world.
That passion is what drives DJ Poizon Ivy, who is familiar to any Mavericks’ fan who has attended a home game, even if you don’t even know it. You’ve heard her work at every home game for the last three seasons.
Ivy is the in-house DJ for the Mavericks and a well-established entertainer. She also has officially taken her talents internationally in the last couple of years as part of the NBA’s visits to her home continent of Africa.
She’s built a remarkable reputation as a DJ and an NBA liaison during the last couple of years.
“My focus has shifted to that continent and creating better opportunities for the young people there,” Ivy said. “I’ve gone there for two NBA events and both times it’s been a powerful experience and something that the NBA has poured a lot of resources into.
Building the NBA brand is important and Ivy has become an important part of that in Africa. But helping to give young people opportunities and hope is the bigger picture for her.
“That,” she said, “is where my heart is.”
Ivy, born in Nairobi, Kenya, as Ivy Awino, first went to Africa as part of the NBA’s delegation for the NBA Africa Game in 2018. She used her DJ skills to put together the music for the event. It was virtually all African-based music.
Then, in late July and early August this year, she attended the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders in Senegal. She was part of the NBA’s entourage to help spread goodwill and spent lots of time working with kids at camps, court openings and other events.
This, after she also was the first female DJ to work the NBA All-Star Weekend – twice.
Ivy’s connection with Africa is personal. But it also became something she could apply her profession to and that started with her relationship with Amadou Gallo Fall, who is in charge of the NBA’s Africa operations.
Before that, the native of Senegal was director of player personnel and vice president of international affairs for the Mavericks.
Ivy formed a friendship with Gallo Fall and it’s turned out to be mutually beneficial. Both are passionate about developing basketball and many other initiatives on their home continent.
On her recent visit to Senegal, Ivy got the chance to have a platform to spread news of the opportunities that kids have – not necessarily as basketball players, but in all the other ancillary business ventures in which people can make a living.
Senegal is home to the only NBA academy in Africa, just outside of Dakar, which is where the bulk of the activities took place.
“It was so cool to be around so many NBA people who have such a connection to Africa and interest in furthering the sport and the livelihood of people in Africa,” she said. “It was great being around Dikembe Mutombo, Luol Deng, Joel Embiid and so many others.”
Also on hand was Toronto Raptors president of basketball operations and English-born Nigerian Masai Ujiri. And, yes, he did bring the NBA championship trophy with him for locals to see.
“I especially had a great time connecting with the young girls that are part of the academy,” Ivy said. “We got to open up a lot of basketball courts in Dakar and grow the sport and pass along life lessons.
“Plus, there were a lot of Maverick ties with DeSagana (Diop), Pops Mensah-Bonsu and Gallo. It’s no surprise that the Mavericks are represented so strongly in Africa because they were very early champions in supporting this continent.”
Sometimes, life lessons carry more weight when they come from somebody like Ivy, who knows what it’s like to grow up in Africa. She was there until she was 9 years old, then moved to the U.S. She has grown her DJ expertise into a major business brand. She now does work for (and with) scores of A-list musicians and does a lot of non-profit work, too, in addition to her duties with the Mavericks at games and in the community.
“It’s great that we have someone so dedicated to the people of Africa,” Mavericks’ CEO Cynt Marshall said. “Ivy is an amazing person who gives her all to the Dallas Mavericks and the NBA. She knows how to effectively use her platform.
“It was heartwarming to see pictures of Ivy with the girls in Africa. They looked up to her. We’re glad to be so involved in what the NBA is doing in Africa.”
While in Dakar, she talked to groups of African DJs about merging their craft with basketball and other ways to have an influence on the game and in the community.
She also met a very special camper at the NBA Academy, one that she helped receive funding (and a visa) to come to America to attend high school. Ricky Omondi Okello is a 17-year-old who was the only Kenyan native at the Africa camp in Senegal. That immediately drew Ivy to Okello.
“He has a full scholarship to come to high school (and college) in the U.S., but he was denied a visa on the first try,” Ivy said.
She helped any way she could to get Okello to the U.S. and he is starting school this fall in Ohio.
Ivy also helped provide sports gear and uniforms for African teams from her alma mater of The Hockaday School and through the Dallas Wings. She’s worked closely with Wings’ star Skylar Diggins-Smith on several projects and Diggins went to bat for Ivy with Puma, which provided a lot of sports gear.
“I think it’s important to teach kids that there are so many opportunities out there, and not just for athletes,” she said. “For every athlete, there are so many others who can qualify for professions and jobs in other areas of sports that aren’t on the court.
“Being able to go back to Africa and spread that message is where my heart truly is.”
Twitter: @ESefko
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