LOS ANGELES (CNS) - All-WNBA point guard Chelsea Gray announced Friday that she is partnering with the L.A. Sparks, Equality California and Rock the Vote to launch the Chelsea Gray Assist For Equality program.

Under the new initiative, Gray will donate $50 for every assist she records during the 2020 WNBA season, with Equality California Institute and Rock the Vote splitting the proceeds.

What You Need To Know

  • L.A. Sparks point guard Chelsea Gray announced she is partnering with the L.A. Sparks, Equality California, and Rock the Vote to launch the Chelsea Gray Assist For Equality program

  • Under the new initiative, Gray will donate $50 for every assist she records during the 2020 WNBA season

  • The Sparks will match Gray's contribution

  • The goal is to help people, especially in Black, Latino and LGBTQ+ communities, understand the importance of voting

Her team, the Sparks, will match her contribution.

Gray will become an official ambassador for Equality California, the nation's largest statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, as well as an ambassador for Rock the Vote's Hoopers Vote initiative.

For the basketball player, the goal is to help people, especially in Black, Latino and LGBTQ+ communities, understand the importance of voting both in national elections as well as at the state and local levels.

"The more I have learned about our voting system, especially at the state level, the more I want to help educate others on it as well," Gray said in a statement. "Voting is a huge part of our democracy and is pivotal for the future of our country. Sitting out this year is not an option."

"I challenge others to continue educating themselves and join me in donating any dollar amount they can per assist I dish out this season to Equality California and Rock the Vote," she added. 

Related Stories

Gray, a Hayward, California, native, will work with Equality California on their LGBTQ+ voter engagement efforts, including participating in their Golden State Equality Awards fundraising event, hosting a Power Hour discussion on the 2020 election, and other digital campaigns.

Equality California will host a landing page where fans will be able to track Gray's contributions and donate themselves.

The WNBA has a history of inspiring social activism among its players. 

This season, the league featured Breonna Taylor’s name on players’ jerseys as a call for justice after Taylor was shot and killed by police officers in March. In 2017, the Sparks opted to stay in the locker room rather than take the court for the national anthem during the WNBA finals to protest police brutality.