FIVE YEARS AGO , the Hockey Diversity Alliance was a group chat among several NHL players of color, discussing civil rights issues and the obstacles that have prevented equality within the sport they love.

On Saturday at Canoe Landing Park in Toronto, the HDA is scheduled to host its Summer Fest, a grassroots event for over 2,200 people. They'll come from diverse communities and different economic circumstances. They'll meet NHL players and sports celebrities. They'll also be further exposed to hockey, which has been at the heart of the HDA's mission.

"We just want to continue to show off the amazing work that we're doing," said Akim Aliu, a former player for the Calgary Flames and a founding member of the HDA. "None of us gain anything from this personally, financially, or in any typ

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