Hoop Dreams A SHOT AT LIFE Help Me Rebuild

Hello, my name is Shantae Graham. I am a lifelong native of Winston Salem, North Carolina. For the past 15 years, I have dedicated my life to being a voice fighting for equities in education, housing, employment, and the basic needs and necessities of youth and families. With the help of private donors and community organizers I have hosted several events to advocate for and support marginalized youth, and those that are under represented. Along my mission I have identified several needs in the Piedmont Park Community, a place I have called home my entire childhood. Growing up in this area, a very large public housing community, we had several parks (at least 3), barrels, that to our imagination were our castles, cars, and hiding spots, or whatever we imagined them to be! We also had a basketball court, where on a nice sunny day you could find at least 30 of us running games, or cheerleading from the sideline. These areas were our places of peace, safe havens ,and spaces we called our own! Currently there is only 1 park that has to serve at least 175 youth and does NOT even include a swing set, no barrels, and the basketball court has withered away. In 2021 I reached out to city and county officials with pleas to revamp this area with parks and recreation equipment, those cries for help have fallen on death ears. Eventually I reached out to family and friends that were prior resident or somehow connected to this area. We pulled together and had a bench installed so the youth could rest after playing. I reached out to former resident and current Winston Salem State University Women's head basketball coach, Latonia Lamonte. Mrs. Lamonte advocated to get the rotten backboards replaced. I even wrote to Dan Peterson from Project Backboard to try and get the busted, cracked court resurfaced. After several exchanges of emails, that also turned cold. Then covid hit!! However, I am determined to finish what I started! How do we expect our youth to thrive if they don't have the small things in life such as playgrounds, and basketball courts, in their neighborhoods. Why are we fussing because they are fighting, throwing rocks and causing confusion, when for GOD sakes, we have removed every positive outlet that they use to release bottled energy, be active, and express thoughts and feeling. Those play areas where spaces to enhance social skills, communication skills, show leadership ability, and have peer supports. Let's help the youth in this community regain ownership of some of these spaces, starting with rebuilding their basketball court. I would love to see them play a role in designing, rebuilding and painting of the court. Something for them to take pride in and call their own! I need your help! For many people I'm sure you are reading saying, this is not my problem, community, or my kid. However, they are people you may have to encounter someday on a good or bad occasion. Let's keep them active by allowing spaces for team building, promoting healthy decision making, and empowerment, pushing them to reach their full potential. The youth will one day become young adults that serve their communities and country well. I will continue to be a catalyst for change in my community, disrupting the status quo and using my abilities to see that communities are thriving. I CAN NOT DO IT ALONE!! PLEASE DONATE, TOGETHER WE CAN SEE THIS THROUGH. LETS REBUILD THIS BASKETBALL COURT