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https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/bulls/what-being-first-black-gm-in-bulls-history-means-marc-eversley
What being the first black GM in Bulls history means to Marc Eversley By Rob Schaefer May 01, 2020 5:20 PM
On Friday, Marc Eversley officially became the first black general manager in Bulls franchise history, a meaningful tentpole for both Eversley and the organization.
Eversley said he views that distinction as both an honor and responsibility.
“Being the first black general manager in Chicago Bulls history is an honor that I don’t take lightly. I think there’s tremendous responsibility that can go with that,” Eversley said in a sit-down with our K.C. Johnson. “There’s a lot of youth, both boys and girls in Chicago, who may look up to me someday. I’ll be able to share my story and hopefully that may trigger something in them that helps them along the way.
“I’m thrilled. I’m appreciative. But I understand there’s a responsibility that goes with that. I’m looking forward to getting to work.”
Within the Bulls’ building, that work will involve flipping the fortunes of an organization amid a rudderless rebuild that has culminated in wide-spanning front office turnover. In facing the challenges that come with that, Eversley plans to employ an intensive, players-first approach to organization building and development.
White Sox executive vice president Kenny Williams told our K.C. Johnson last month that Bulls president Michael Reinsdorf valued candidates with the ability to “relate with players from a basketball standpoint and a cultural standpoint” in filling out the front office. It’s why the Bulls now sit with two lead executives in Karnisovas and Eversley who are vaunted for their relationships across the basketball universe and player development acumen.
“It's our responsibility, (it) falls on our shoulders to seek diversity and divergence through the hiring process,” Karnisovas said. “The luxury that I have is many years being in our league and league office and being around the personnel to get to know personally. It was a great experience for me and I'm so glad we settled on Marc.”
Eversley also becomes the seventh black general manager in the NBA by accepting this post. He joins B.J. Armstrong, Randy Brown, Clarence Gaines Jr. and Billy McKinney as black executives in Bulls franchise history.
But, again, the milestone is about more than statistics to him. Eversely, both in a feature with ESPN’s The Undefeated and on his introductory conference call, emphasized that he sees his installation as a chance to make an impact off the court, and in the community he will soon reside.
“I'm in a leadership position now in a city with so many black youths, I see this as a great opportunity,” Eversley said on the conference call. “I think being visible is going to be important, I think being invested is going to be important. I think this position with the Bulls provides me with resources to help drive some change.”
If his decorated career — which has seen him ascend from Nike retail store manager to marketing executive, to well-regarded personnel executive with three different NBA franchises — is any indication, that change is coming and it will be positive.
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