Hoop For All Foundation is a Black-owned DC-based nonprofit that uses sports programming to provide communities with access to healthcare resources; namely, health care professionals, educational material, testing, and in-patient assistance.
To commemorate, Washington Wizards’ Bradley Beal is partnering with Hoop For All to refurbish Banneker Recreation Center’s outdoor basketball courts where the nonprofit held its first sporting event in 2012. The new court will reopen with an Opening Day Celebration on Saturday, June 18, 2022.
“Thanks to Beal, we have an opportunity to remodel a court that has gradually deteriorated in quality over the years,” shared Vice President Kiera “KB” Thomas. “With this partnership, DC residents – particularly those in Ward 1 – can have a revamped outdoor space to socialize and stay active. Beal is the first of many athletes we plan to partner with. While the start of our journey is in DC, we plan to expand to other cities as well.”
Outside of basketball, Beal is sponsoring Hoop For All for a variety of other reasons. Founded by Howard University alumni, Beal’s brothers and parents went to HBCUs. As a former biology major at the University of Florida, he is highly interested in health and finds ways to support Black-owned businesses. Additionally, the basketball star was drafted the same year Hoop For All was founded and evidently, both parties have continued to leave an imprint on the city.
During the grand reopening, Hoop For All will provide free healthcare screenings and present scholarships to high school seniors attending HBCUs in the Fall. Most recently, Beal took 50 RBHS students on a college tour of Howard University in February 2020 and won the 2018-19 NBA Cares Community Assist Award primarily for his work with RBHS.
Additionally, Hoop For All will host their 10th annual Hoop For Hope Basketball Tournament at Banneker on September 10th, 2022 to support in-need cancer patients and increase awareness around prevention and treatment. Last year’s tournament featured a special guest appearance by three-time NBA All-Star Steven Francis.
Since its inception, Hoop For All has given away over $17,000 towards patient assistance and scholarships. The organization has hosted roughly 17 programs and events and has provided health education resources to over 5,000 DC residents.
“We started Hoop For All in 2012 as Sophomores in our dorms at Howard University and have seen tremendous growth since then,” said President Ayokunle “Ayo” Amoo. “It’s been such a privilege to rally the community together around both sport and health. And to see our impact on patients and their families has been nothing short of amazing.”
The 10-year-old organization has also dedicated its efforts toward mentoring students, athletes, and youth on the importance of health education, physical activity, community outreach, and entrepreneurship.
The donation link for the 10th Annual Hoop for Hope can be found below:
https://fundly.com/hoopforhope
Follow Hoop For All on social media at @hoopforall.
*Images courtesy of photographer Davonte Douglas. Follow him on IG @shotbydavonte.
