NBA Foundation’s latest round of grants supports 31 organizations
Along with Black History Month, the NBA Foundation has a new set of grantees, supporting 34 organizations across the country.
The NBA Foundation’s latest round of life-changing grants coincides with Black History Month. Quite fitting, NBA Foundation Executive Director Greg Taylor makes that clear.
“Every month is Black History Month,” he said.
“This is an ongoing effort that builds on the NBA’s long history of commitment to social justice and civil rights, regardless of the month we make the grant.”
The NBA Foundation’s latest round of grants includes a total of 31 organizations. Twelve of the 31 are receiving grant renewals and 19 of those organizations are the first recipients of an NBA Foundation grant.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the influential organizations the NBA Foundation is supporting this year.
East Scarborough Boys and Girls Club
Partners of the Toronto Raptors, the Boys and Girls Club of East Scarborough seeks a holistic approach in helping children, youth and families adopt healthy lifestyles, personal competence, self-esteem, social integration and culture and a sense of belonging.
“Through this funding opportunity and partnership with the NBA Foundation, BGC East Scarborough and the MAAT Youth Innovation & Cultural Centre, we can sustainably provide culturally competent comprehensive supports to emerging young Black leaders who are overcoming systemic barriers to employment and the transition to education. said Utcha Sawyers, President and CEO of BGC East Scarborough.
“Together, this partnership strengthens the impact of the community on our leaders of tomorrow.”
Taylor called BGC East Scarborough “first in class”.
“One of the things that’s really important to the NBA Foundation is that we look at issues that affect black people holistically, and the BGC East Scarborough career program does just that. They offer mentoring, wrap-around services and workforce development skills to young participants. ” he said
Far East Side Community Alliance (CAFE)
Partners of the Indiana Pacers, Community Alliance of the Far Eastside was founded in the 1980s. According to their website, their mission is “to improve the quality of life in the Indianapolis Far East.”
CAFE offers a variety of programs focused on employment readiness, career development, job education and training, and job placement.
“NBA Foundation funding is a complex part of growing and sustaining our young adults by providing workforce opportunities to establish self-sufficiency through employment with decent wages,” said the CEO Kendra Nowell on receiving an NBA Foundation grant.
Gathering of CAFE members.
When asked about CAFE, Taylor was particularly impressed with their job readiness model.
“We are excited about their comprehensive model, we know that is what is needed to prepare young people – especially young black people – to succeed in business in the future,” he said. “This bridging program is a true example and a shining star in this community.
Youth Empowerment Hangout for Advancement (YEAH Philly)
Partners of the Philadelphia 76ers, Youth Empowerment For Advancement Hangout is a black-led nonprofit founded in 2018 by Kendra Van de Water and James Aye.
Understanding the interrelationship between poverty, opportunity and violence, YEAH provides services to meet the short and long-term needs of adolescents to transition into adulthood and live fulfilling lives. Using teen action, YEAH works to interrupt the cycle of communal youth violence in West and Southwest Philadelphia neighborhoods through peer mediation and conflict resolution , community engagement and economic opportunity.
“We live in a time when violence in Philadelphia is at an all-time high, with people and communities not being engaged as they should be.” says Van DeWater.
“This funding not only allows us to provide more adolescents and young adults with skills and long-term employment opportunities, but also to meet critical and immediate needs such as food, shelter, clothing and vital documents, because we cannot thrive without these things and young people deserve better.
Taylor praised YEAH Philly’s employment development program, saying it “really takes into account what young people need and have, to effectively help them develop the skills they need. need to move forward”.
ALIVE MKE
Partners of the Milwaukee Bucks, MKE Fellows is a powerful initiative offering support to talented young black men in Milwaukee to ensure they graduate from college prepared for career success. This program continues to grow and sees successful black leaders emerge and return to Milwaukee.
It focuses on preparing a strong pipeline of young black male graduates ready to return to Milwaukee and other parts of the state to excel in their careers, build wealth, become committed leaders and give back to other young men around them.
Members of MKE.
“We couldn’t create the meaningful change we are making without the partnerships of organizations like the NBA Foundation that see the potential in our young men.” Said Alive MK President and CEO John Daniels.
“These funds will directly impact and further develop the lives of countless students, leading to a much more inclusive and prosperous future for our cities.”
When asked about Alive MKE, Taylor said, “It’s a higher education access workforce development program that focuses on providing mentorship and complementary services and job placement skills for youth in the Milwaukee community.”
“We couldn’t be more excited to support them.”
These are just four of 31 new NBA Foundation grantees, and Taylor’s leadership ensures that positive and meaningful work will continue to be done. He said it well, summarizing the philosophy that drives the NBA Foundation to change lives:
“What we’re trying to do at the NBA Foundation is highlight the tremendous genius and leadership skills of young black people, which we believe is consistent with what our history is,” Taylor said. “We know it’s about resources and opportunity, and that these young people’s genius for leading and contributing to society is already present in who they are.”