The Flint Basketball Project

Every August, my professional running team and I participates in an annual Crim race in Flint, Michigan. However, you may know of Flint for a different reason. The hardship this city has faced since the “white flight” era in the 1960's to the Flint water crisis in 2014… is immeasurable. I have seen this city with my own eyes, bringing my own water to the races, and yet have been cheered on by one of the best crowds around.

I was recently virtually introduced to Officer Scott Watson on the Netflix documentary 'Flint Town' as well as the episode of The Daily podcast 'Who Replaces Me?' Something significant, yet so simple, stood out to me. Owning a basketball changed the trajectory of his life forever, keeping him out of trouble and eventually leading to a scholarship to college. If something as simple as a basketball can make such a huge impression on a kid, why can't I provide them with some brand new basketballs in hope for a brighter future?

I am kicking off my project on September 9th, my 27th birthday, in hopes of raising $1,000. I am prepared to match up to that amount ($1,000) in order to purchase basketballs for the children of Flint, the Boys and Girls Club of Flint, as well as anywhere else there is a need. I am dedicating the whole month of September to raise as much as possible to purchase as many basketballs as we can in order to distribute to the community starting as early as October 1st.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping me to make a difference in my neighboring community! The world will become a better place because of it. 

(If you cannot financially contribute, please don't hesitate to give the following documentary a watch or the podcast a listen.)