The Sixers awarded this leader of color for her work in education

While the Sixers lost to the Celtics this past weekend (but only by a point, and without Joel Embiid), one Philadelphian still walked away a winner.

During the game, Ami Patel Hopkins, the School District of Philadelphia‘s kindergarten transition fellow, was awarded the Sixers’ second annual Game Changer Award (one of the organization’s Shining Star Awards) for her work in the education community.

Ami Patel Hopkins receives the Firstrust Bank Game Changer Award! Ami is a leader in the Indian American & Philly education communities. pic.twitter.com/dG2NqASd2v

— SIXERS STRONG (@SIXERSSTRONG) December 4, 2016

“Shout out to students and families!” Patel Hopkins wrote on Instagram. “You are why I have a passion to #GSD!”

That’s “get stuff done,” as the educator pointed out in a guest post she penned for Generocity this past September as part of our ongoing leaders of color series.

Last year, the inaugural Game Changer Award was presented to another Philadelphia leader of color, Black Women in Sport Foundation cofounder Tina Sloan Green.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BNls6THAI2X8pcOE1wiRtD_k3vfiuT8alQzQuo0/

The nod toward Patel Hopkins’ work provided a glimmer of hope for the city’s troubled public school system, a moment for the educator to proudly rep her heritage during the organization’s Indian Heritage Night and a breath of fresh air for folks whose interests live at the niche intersection of social impact and Sixers fandom.