PeacePlayers International

You’ve been with us over the last 20 years, help us slam dunk the next 20 with us as a SLAMBASSADOR!  The youth of today and tomorrow are facing increasingly polarized, deeply divided, and inequitable communities around the globe. The young leaders of PeacePlayers are creating ripple effects of change in individual, systemic, and global patterns of conflict and violence. It is a long game, and only with a movement of people like you supporting our youth, is it possible. Opt into monthly giving below and join us on the front lines of our community peacebuilding efforts as a SLAMbassador!  https://lnkd.in/efXd3vuS

🚨 2024 has been a game-changer for PeacePlayers United States—but we’re just getting started! 🚨 This year, we launched our first-ever Girls Summit and our youth took part in a life-changing Global Exchange in South Africa. These milestones reflect our commitment to breaking barriers, expanding access to sports, and empowering youth leaders across the U.S. But we need YOUR support to do even more in 2025! With your help, we can continue to build more peaceful, thriving communities in our 5 cities (Brooklyn, Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit and Baltimore) and beyond through the transformative power of sport. 🌍✨ Are you ready to make a difference? Click the link below to donate and be part of PeacePlayers United States’ mission to inspire and empower youth: 👉 Give Now and Join the Movement: https://lnkd.in/dEF5BAqq #PeacePlayers #PeacePlayersUSA #SportForGood #YouthLeadership #CommunityImpact #GiveBack #SocialChange

We, as an organization, also have so many people to give thanks to this Giving Tuesday. We have so much gratitude for the partners and supporters that walk the walk with us. Here's PeacePlayers' Director of Global Development, Sharon Rubinstein, to offer a word of thanks on behalf of PeacePlayers.

There are many ways to approach giving on Giving Tuesday. This year, we decided to focus the day on giving THANKS. We invited our participants, coaches and other team members to look inward and give thanks to someone who has made a difference in their lives. Here is what they had to say.

Coach Rashawn (Baltimore), Coach Wray (Brooklyn), LaToya Fisher (Global Project Manager), working with NIKE's LaTeesha Christian (Coordinator, Social & Community Impact) on a virtual Self-Efficacy Workshop for the Enhancing Global Connections project. Because every young person deserves positive role models and a chance to be their best, most confident selves - no matter where they come from. Thank you, LaTeesha, for your insight and feedback and the session was a huge success (more on that later)! PeacePlayers' Enhancing Global Connections is funded by the Stevens Initiative, which is housed at the Aspen Institute and is supported by the Bezos Family Foundation. The Stevens Initiative at the Aspen Institute

Just in time for the launch of fall programming, we're excited to announce that we've renewed our partnership with the NBA Foundation! We're working together to make sure that our leadership skill building programs translate into job opportunities for Black youth in Brooklyn, Detroit and Los Angeles. We're incredibly grateful for this impactful collaboration. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dFJTXQRm

We're so proud of our partnership with The Stevens Initiative at the Aspen Institute and are honored to help kick off their fall 2024 #Breakouts campaign, which dives into how virtual connections and learning can have a hand in advancing the UN #SDGs. See what our team has to say about it.

For our participants, the PeacePlayers Global Exchange was more than just a trip; it was an eye-opening adventure that brought the world within reach, allowed the youth to see the world in new ways, and made the impossible seem possible. And the impact of this has been overwhelming: 89% of participants feel that they gained leadership skills through the Exchange; 90% feel comfortable learning new cultural perspectives; and 89% feel comfortable sharing their own culture with others. And that’s just after 10 days! Watch Coach Matt from PeacePlayers Brooklyn share how the Global Exchange helped cultivate the next generation of leaders. On behalf of our participants and coaches, thank you to FHI360 and the U.S. Department of State for investing in this unique experience. The Global Exchange also marked a historic first for PeacePlayers South Africa, hosting other PeacePlayers sites for the first time. It was an incredible opportunity to showcase their program, communities, history, and culture. The Exchange also played a key role in partnerships and outreach, helping make PeacePlayers a household name in South Africa as a leading sport for development organization in the country. There are many people who made all this possible. To the parents, thank you for your trust. To our dedicated coaches — your hard work and dedication helped to create an environment where our participants could thrive, learn, and grow. To the participants and the entire PeacePlayers community, you continue to show us that change is not only possible but is happening right now. Additionally, a special thank you to our partners who made the Global Exchange possible:  FHI 360 U.S. Department of State Brand South Africa U.S. Consul General Josie Ratcliffe and the U.S. Consulate in Durban Zabelo Hlabisa, Miss Earth South Africa 2023 Old Mutual Foundation Absolute SA eThekwini Basketball Association eThekwini Municipality (Sports Development & Recreation) PeacePlayers South Africa work doesn’t stop at the Global Exchange. Every year, they work with 600 young people, ages 9-35, through year-round basketball training, conflict resolution education and leadership development activities. Stay tuned to their next big event – the City Wide Tournament, which brings together hundreds of youth from the greater Durban community. Coming October 26!

For our participants, the PeacePlayers Global Exchange was more than just a trip; it was an eye-opening adventure that brought the world within reach, allowed the youth to see the world in new ways, and made the impossible seem possible. And the impact of this has been overwhelming: 89% of participants feel that they gained leadership skills through the Exchange; 90% feel comfortable learning new cultural perspectives; and 89% feel comfortable sharing their own culture with others. And that’s just after 10 days! Watch Coach Matt from PeacePlayers Brooklyn share how the Global Exchange helped cultivate the next generation of leaders. On behalf of our participants and coaches, thank you to FHI360 and the U.S. Department of State for investing in this unique experience. The Global Exchange also marked a historic first for PeacePlayers South Africa, hosting other PeacePlayers sites for the first time. It was an incredible opportunity to showcase their program, communities, history, and culture. The Exchange also played a key role in partnerships and outreach, helping make PeacePlayers a household name in South Africa as a leading sport for development organization in the country. There are many people who made all this possible. To the parents, thank you for your trust. To our dedicated coaches — your hard work and dedication helped to create an environment where our participants could thrive, learn, and grow. To the participants and the entire PeacePlayers community, you continue to show us that change is not only possible but is happening right now. Additionally, a special thank you to our partners who made the Global Exchange possible:  FHI 360 U.S. Department of State Brand South Africa U.S. Consul General Josie Ratcliffe and the U.S. Consulate in Durban Zabelo Hlabisa, Miss Earth South Africa 2023 Old Mutual Foundation Absolute SA eThekwini Basketball Association eThekwini Municipality (Sports Development & Recreation) PeacePlayers South Africa work doesn’t stop at the Global Exchange. Every year, they work with 600 young people, ages 9-35, through year-round basketball training, conflict resolution education and leadership development activities. Stay tuned to their next big event – the City Wide Tournament, which brings together hundreds of youth from the greater Durban community. Coming October 26!

What is the impact of virtual global connections? "In one word: access." That's what Global Project Manager LaToya Fisher sees as she makes strides to create intentional virtual youth development programming for our youth all over the world. "Access to participants across the sites to have conversations and participate in cultural learning sessions together. Access to more frequent engagement and team building with other sites. Access to special guests or resources." ⁠ ⁠ Enhancing Global Connections is funded by the Stevens Initiative, which is housed at the Aspen Institute and is supported by the Bezos Family. The Stevens Initiative at the Aspen Institute