PeacePlayers us' new partnership with the nba foundation
April 19, 2022
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PeacePlayers United States is proud to announce it is the recipient of a highly competitive grant from the NBA Foundation. This new collaborative partnership will help expand and introduce a robust career advancement component–in Detroit, Los Angeles, and Brooklyn. Funds will help PeacePlayers achieve its overall goal of creating a leadership pipeline of young Black professionals with the mindset, skills and resources to serve as role models in the community and advocate for employment equity while addressing some of the systemic issues that have limited opportunities and advancement in careers of influence.
As PeacePlayers continues to use basketball to help bridge divided communities, partners like the NBA Foundation who commit meaningful resources to the effort show that change is possible when communities band together.
“When we made the decision to call out career readiness as a priority in our Brooklyn Leadership Development program, we did it from the perspective of providing real, equitable opportunities for our youth to compete and thrive in the workplace alongside their peers. We introduced our career readiness pilot during the pandemic, when many gym doors were closed. In our first year, 85% of youth who participated in the career readiness activities were employed in internships, apprenticeships, and summer jobs through PeacePlayers and other local partners. The NBA Foundation’s investment will allow us to scale the pilot across three cities and create real pathways to meaningful employment for our youth, access to mentors, and opportunities to lead in their communities.”
We’re proud to announce 40 new grants totaling $11 million to organizations that are creating employment opportunities, furthering career advancement, and driving greater economic empowerment for Black youth throughout the United States and Canada. pic.twitter.com/tObyAtcvGS
— NBA Foundation (@NBAFoundation) April 5, 2022
In order to expand its impact in each city, PeacePlayers U.S. will leverage the partnership with the NBA Foundation to actively engage NBA teams across PeacePlayers U.S. cities to drive deeper community investment and create meaningful opportunities for the teams to engage with the communities where they play.
“PeacePlayers mission to use basketball to help bridge divides is one that deeply resonates with the Detroit Pistons organization. Their continued efforts across cities like Detroit have resulted in an abundance of resources provided to those most in need. The Pistons congratulate PeacePlayers on receiving this grant and applaud the NBA for selecting an organization worthy of these funds."
Since 2017, PeacePlayers has also partnered with Nike, to widen opportunity to sport and leadership development for youth across multiple cities. The three organizations share a vision to create more peaceful and equitable communities through sport.
About the NBA Foundation
The NBA Foundation is the league’s first-ever charitable foundation dedicated to driving economic opportunity for Black youth. The Foundation invests in local and national organizations that promote school-to-career and workforce development opportunities. For more information visit nbafoundation.com.
