The Indiana Pacers and Honda Manufacturing of Indiana have teamed up for the Dream BIG initiative, a multifaceted program to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and Black History Month.

The program is designed to celebrate the importance of African-American contributions in history throughout the state of Indiana and the United States. The Dream BIG philosophy teaches others to think beyond current circumstances. It starts with one person choosing to make a change; but depending on the size of the dream, the outcome can benefit an individual, community, country or the world.

The Pacers and Honda Manufacturing of Indiana have celebrated the Dream BIG initiative with a Black History Month T-Shirt Design Contest, an “I Am Martin Luther King, Jr.” Book Giveaway, a Dream Big Day of Service and a Capes for Kids event, held on Feb. 7.

During the Capes for Kids event, students heard from special guest speaker and former Pacers player LaSalle Thompson about the contributions African-Americans have made to our country, and how dreaming big made him who he is today. Students then created their own Super Hero capes with help from Pacers Sports & Entertainment & Honda Manufacturing volunteers, as well as members of the Indiana Pacemates.