For the next installment in our Black History Month Spotlight Series, we turn the focus onto a fierce Philly female named Nadia Bosket, who is using basketball as a vehicle to empower the youth in her community through her organization Hoop Dreams Inc. 

Established in 2010, Hoop Dreams was created with the desire to empower underserved youth by providing resources that improve both student nutrition and physical activity. "Our motto is 'Live. Learn. Hoop,'" Nadia told us. "We encourage others to LIVE every day to get closer to their goals, LEARN from all of life’s lessons and live a healthy lifestyle through their passion of HOOPING."

Growing up in West Philadelphia, Nadia was always taught to give back and lift up her community, and she created Hoop Dreams to do just that. "We focus on creating a safe and positive environment. Our goal is to help youths discover their own strengths and areas of opportunities. We want them to be leaders and motivators to their peers."

As a nonprofit organization, Hoop Dreams also instills and promotes a volunteer ethic through the many programs and events that they operate throughout the year highlighted by the Hoop Dreams Basketball Academy. In addition to their signature basketball camp, they also renovate outdoor basketball courts, sponsor holiday dinners and toy drives at Thanksgiving and Christmas; the 'A Cinderella Story' prom event that provides dresses, hair and makeup to make prom night more affordable; Back to School drives; leadership workshops' and the Power of ONE conference, which focuses on financial literacy, college prep, goal setting, conflict resolution, effective communication and entrepreneurship.  

For Nadia, the ultimate goal of Hoop Dreams is for students to walk away knowing that they have the ability to achieve anything and to be responsible for their lives. "It’s a great feeling when we empower our teens by teaching them how to develop positive attributes and enabling them to be self-confident and independent thinkers."

To find out how you can join Nadia and Hoop Dreams in creating the next generation of leaders follow this link.