How The Harlem Globetrotters Shaped Basketball History And Continue Inspiring Generations
The Harlem Globetrotters have been synonymous with pop culture since its inception, and the famous sports league is still making an impact worldwide.
Get ready to travel with flair! Harlem Globetrotters: Secrets of the City is coming to aspireTV with a special sneak peek airing Thursday at 8PM ET. This feel-good, action-packed adventure travel show takes you beyond the basketball court, offering a glimpse into the players’ favorite travel eats, hacks, and unforgettable shenanigans.
Before we journey to Cairo, on Thursday, let’s dive into the history of the team, learning what created the road to the new series coming in 2025.
Ironically, the Harlem Globetrotters, formed in 1926 by Abe Saperstein, was created many miles away from Harlem, New York. However, the organization’s name was inspired by the Harlem Renaissance, which was underway at the same time, first kicking off in 1920.
Initially, the team played in small-town gymnasiums and venues scattered across the Midwest, often faced with racial discrimination and limited access to mainstream basketball leagues. Breaking barriers, the Harlem Globetrotters was one of the first teams to showcase Black talent on the court on a national scale during a time when sports were still heavily segregated.
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Originating before the National Basketball Association was ever formed in 1949, some could say that the Globetrotters were a launching pad for Black athletes making a career out of competing at the highest levels of basketball.
Moreover, Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton, the first Black person to sign an NBA contract, started out as a Globetrotter, showcasing the integral role that the team played in paving the way for Black athletes in the NBA, including NBA legends like Wilt Chamberlain, who played for the Globetrotters during the 1958-59 season.
Known for their signature style and legacy in relation to the sport of basketball, the Globetrotters combined athleticism, comedy, and showmanship. Members of the team popularized trick plays, dunks, and flashy passes long before they were the factors in the NBA.
Additionally, the Globetrotters’ signature song is “Sweet Georgia Brown,” which was composed by Ben Bernie and Maceo Pinkard in 1925 with lyrics by Kenneth Casey. The specific version still in use today was performed as an instrumental by Brother Bones and His Shadows in 1949.
Today, the Globetrotters are much more than just entertainers who have toured in more than 120 countries and territories. They have even served as cultural ambassadors during politically charged times in the nation, including a visit to the Soviet Union during the Cold War. They are involved in community outreach programs ranging from anti-bullying campaigns to education initiatives and youth empowerment. They have also had a significant pop culture presence, appearing in various television shows, movies, and more.
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The Globetrotters are also no longer just limited to male performers. In 1985, Lynette Woodard walked so current team members like Kaylin “Sunshine” West could run. As the first female Globetrotter, Woodard shattered gender barriers in the sport, marking a historic moment in the team’s history and further highlighting its commitment to diversity and inclusivity in basketball.
Sunshine’s status as a woman on the Globetrotters today offers her the opportunity to inspire youth and continue reshaping perceptions of women in sports.
“Being a woman on the Harlem Globetrotters allows me to inspire young girls and give them hope that our wildest dreams are possible and within reach, if you work hard and believe in yourself,” she told aspireTV. “I try to be as confident & authentic as possible when I’m out there on the court to show them that we, as women, are truly a force to be reckoned with. I feel the world always tries to shape us into who they think we should be, and being a Globetrotter allows me to wholeheartedly be who I am at my core. I wear sparkles on my face, a bow in my hair, pink laces, pink tights, and lip gloss, and I do so as a reminder that we never have to change who we are, no matter the environment that we’re in. I always tell the girls who come up to me to keep working hard, stay true to themselves, and never let anyone dim their light.”
She added, “The thing that brings me the most joy about being a Harlem Globetrotter is just knowing that every single night I’m doing something that’s bigger than basketball. I have the opportunity to play the game that I love, but we also do it in an extremely special way. Every time I step onto the court, I know that I’m making a difference for at least one person in the stands. Every wave, every high five, every smile, every conversation that I have means more than something that sounds so simple. It creates a special moment with someone that could potentially change their life.”
You can watch a sneak peek of Harlem Globetrotters: Secret of the City on Thursday, December 5th at 8PM ET, on aspireTV. Download the aspireTV app to set a push notification reminder, now.
