Giants of Africa partnered with photographer and filmmaker Kevin Couliau to host a photo exhibition in Paris to commemorate Giants of Africa's 20th anniversary milestone.
The exhibition honours Giants of Africa’s 20th Anniversary and sheds light on the profound influence that basketball has had on the continent
Paris, France (January 12, 2024) – Giants of Africa, the not-for-profit youth basketball organization co-founded by Toronto Raptors Vice-Chairman and President Masai Ujiri, is proud to announce its partnership with renowned French photographer and filmmaker Kevin Couliau. Together, they will host an exhibition from January 12, 2024 – February 15, 2024 at La Montgolfière, to commemorate Giants of Africa’s 20th anniversary milestone.
Curated by Couliau, the exhibition includes twenty-three photos documented over eight years, across eight countries that takes viewers on a visual journey celebrating the profound social impact basketball has made on the African continent. The exhibition, which emphasizes themes of movement, diversity, unity, and empowerment, showcases the power of the universal language of basketball to foster friendships and build communities.
“At the very first camp I attended, I quickly realized Giants of Africa’s mission transcends sport,” explains Couliau.”This curated selection narrates the collective journey of the ‘Giants’ of Africa as they navigate the expansive terrain armed with nothing but a simple basketball, imparting hope to the continent’s future leaders.”
Couliau’s captivating images capture the essence of Africa’s creativity and vitality, showcasing the aspirations of young individuals striving for greatness both on and off the court.
“As we commemorate Giants of Africa’s 20th anniversary through this exhibition, we celebrate the transformative power of basketball and the lasting impact it has had on the lives of African youth,” said Masai Ujiri. “These beautiful photos are a testament to the boundless possibilities that lie ahead for the next generation.”
The exhibition is open to the public and will run from Friday, January 12, 2024 to Thursday, February 15, 2024 at La Montgolfière, 25 rue Yves Toudic, 75010 Paris. On Friday, January 12 from 7pm-11pm, Masai Ujiri and Kevin Couliau will be on-site to share remarks at the opening night celebration.
About Giants of Africa and Masai Ujiri
Masai Ujiri is the first and only African-born President of a professional sports franchise in North America. In 2019, Masai led the Raptors to their first-ever NBA Championship and the first NBA Championship won by a team outside the United States in NBA history. In 2003, Masai co-founded the Giants of Africa Foundation, based on the idea of using basketball as a means of educating and enriching the lives of African youth—both boys and girls. Giants of Africa has used sport to help empower youth to dream big, hosting basketball camps and clinics for boys and girls in 17 countries across the continent. In 2021, Giants of Africa launched the ‘Built Within’ 100-court initiative and have unveiled 29 basketball facilities in 9 African countries to date. To celebrate the organization’s 20th anniversary, the inaugural Giants of Africa Festival brought together over 250 youth from 16 countries across Africa to Kigali, Rwanda for a week-long celebration of basketball, education, culture, and entertainment in August 2023.
About Kevin Couliau:
Kevin Couliau is a renowned Paris-based photographer and filmmaker whose work has been featured in numerous publications and exhibitions worldwide. Through his lens, he captures global narratives that illuminate the profound impact of basketball on individuals and communities. Kevin has undertaken a diverse range of projects, leading to collaborations with esteemed international brands such as Nike and Apple, as well as cultural icons including Barack Obama and Kobe Bryant.
