Raquel Lee secretly got married to Mark Curry years before she sued Disney for allegedly sexual assaulting her, but no one knows why
The Harlem native orchestrated the iconic streetball tournament she had long admired in her youth, while also inaugurating her new foundation with a back-to-school giveaway.
Teyana Taylor recently provided an unforgettable experience to New York City, orchestrating the Teyana Takeover at the iconic Dyckman Basketball tournament while also launching her new TEY Foundation through a back-to-school giveaway. For individuals who spent their formative years in Washington Heights or Inwood, or who have keenly followed the evolution of New York City streetball culture, Teyana’s takeover of Dyckman Park stands out as a pivotal occasion, and she made certain that her fans understood the significance of that moment to her.
To understand the reasons, it is helpful to delve into the history of Dyckman itself. The tournament was founded in the summer of 1990 by Kenneth Stevens, Omar Booth, and Michael Jenkins, three friends who grew up in the neighborhood during a period when the crack epidemic was devastating their community. At that time, Monsignor Kett Playground, now known as Dyckman Park, was in disrepair, missing the lively basketball culture it once had as a Holcombe Rucker site during the 1970s. Stevens, Booth, and Jenkins decided to repaint the court and restore the park, believing that a basketball tournament could spark a positive change in a neighborhood that genuinely needed it. What started as a league with six teams, where players wore their own T-shirts and had numbers taped to their backs, has transformed into one of the most respected streetball tournaments in the country. It currently features six divisions and more than one hundred teams, encompassing participants as young as five years old up to a college and professional division that reliably draws NBA and NCAA talent during the summer season. Dyckman has earned the reputation as the Red Carpet of Streetball, celebrated not only for its exceptional basketball but also for its lively atmosphere, complete with DJs, food vendors, and a strong sense of community that turns a neighborhood park into a popular summer hotspot.
That history is exactly why Teyana Taylor curating a full nite at Dyckman is so meaningful. She mentioned that she has been attending the tournament since her childhood in Harlem, long before she became the artist, actress, and creative force that fans know today. Taking over the park she once observed from the sidelines is a moment that resonates deeply, highlighting her profound connection to New York City culture and the significant role that community has played in shaping her identity.
The event also represented something more significant than just one nite of basketball. It signified the official launch of the TEY Foundation, a new organization established by Teyana, inspired by the meaning of her own name, which embodies the concept of Time Evolves You. The foundation is grounded in the conviction that personal growth is a lifelong journey, and that any wisdom, resources, or success gained by an individual ought to be shared with the community that played a pivotal role in their development. In conjunction with the Dyckman takeover, the TEY Foundation organized a back-to-school giveaway as part of the launch, offering local children and families valuable support as they get ready for the new school year, while also honoring the neighborhood that has been a source of inspiration.
Teyana tackled that mission directly in her caption announcing the event, reflecting on the importance of supporting the community that raised her. She conveyed her appreciation to her Jordan Brand family for their support even before the foundation had an official name, and expressed her thanks to the Dyckman organizers, including Kenny and Sharon, for their confidence in her to curate a tournament with such a rich history and cultural significance. She conveyed her appreciation to her team, friends, and family who played a role in making the entire day a success, describing it as a true collaborative achievement.
In her caption, Teyana expressed, “TEY means Time Evolves You.” As time progresses and guides our development, we come to understand that our growth was never meant to end with us. It is meant to be given back to the individuals, places, and communities that played a role in shaping our identity. She continued, “I’m a Harlem girl, and I recognize how vital it is for our children to be able to SEE us, FEEL us, and understand that we haven’t forgotten them…” New York City has profoundly influenced my identity. It offered me a foundation, a voice, and a space to envision my dreams. It will always be an honor to return that love and cultivate the ground that played a role in my development.
Between the history of Dyckman as a tournament literally built out of community resilience and Teyana’s own journey from a young fan in the crowd to the woman entrusted with curating the entire event, this moment represents much more than just a celebrity appearance. It acts as a direct extension of the fundamental values that Dyckman was created to represent: community, opportunity, and dedication to the next generation, now upheld by an individual who once occupied the same position as those children.
