BLM Sports Invests Nearly $200,000 in Nonprofits, HBCU Athletics and Community Initiatives Nationwide
Founded by Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation Chairwoman Cicley Gay, the national sports philanthropy organization is directing critical resources toward youth development, education, mentorship, entrepreneurship, wellness and underserved communities
ATLANTA, GA — August 6, 2026 — At a time when nonprofit organizations and community programs are being asked to meet greater needs with increasingly limited resources, BLM Sports is putting real dollars behind the people and organizations doing the work.
Founded by philanthropist and social-impact leader Cicley Gay, who also serves as Chairwoman of the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation, BLM Sports has invested nearly $200,000 in nonprofit organizations, HBCU athletics and community-based initiatives using sports, education, mentorship, technology, entrepreneurship and wellness to create lasting change.
The investment includes $166,000 donated to 19 organizations, along with additional support for HBCU athletic programs and community initiatives designed to expand access, strengthen institutions and create opportunities for students, young athletes, women and families.
“Sports have always had the power to bring people together, but their impact should extend far beyond the court or the field,” said Gay. “This investment is about supporting organizations and institutions that are already on the ground changing lives. They are mentoring young people, developing future leaders, supporting student-athletes, creating safe spaces and opening doors that too often remain closed in our communities.”
The organizations receiving support from BLM Sports include:
Allen Iverson Classic
Atlanta Dream
Black College Gamers Association
Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Virginia
Community Through Hoops
Crown 3 Basketball
Dynamic Cares
Edward and Tamara George Foundation
Fab 5 Foundation
Ghana Community Fitness Day
Girls Who Brunch Tour
Grind Pretty
Josie’s Girls
League of Industry Moms
Love Quest Foundation
National CARES Mentoring Movement
NY3on3
Soul Reborn
Steve & Marjorie Harvey Foundation
Together, these organizations represent a broad network of leaders and programs using sports, mentorship, education, technology, entrepreneurship and wellness to build stronger communities.
BLM Sports’ additional investments in HBCU athletics recognize the critical role historically Black colleges and universities play in developing student-athletes, strengthening communities and creating pathways to education, leadership and professional opportunity. The support is intended to help athletic programs and related initiatives provide students with the resources, exposure and development opportunities they need to succeed both during and after their collegiate careers.
The organization’s wider community investments also support grassroots programs working directly with young people, women, entrepreneurs and families. By investing at both the institutional and neighborhood levels, BLM Sports is helping ensure that resources reach communities where they can produce meaningful and measurable results.
“This is not about writing checks for the sake of making an announcement,” Gay added. “It is about investing in organizations with a proven commitment to the people they serve. We want these leaders, programs and institutions to have the resources to expand their reach, strengthen their work and continue producing results.”
The recipients range from youth-focused organizations and athletic programs to initiatives supporting girls, women, families, HBCU students, aspiring entrepreneurs and emerging leaders. While their missions differ, each shares a commitment to creating tangible opportunities for people who have historically faced barriers to access and advancement.
Under Gay’s leadership, BLM Sports is developing a philanthropic model that connects athletics with education, economic empowerment, institutional support and social responsibility. The nearly $200,000 investment reflects a deliberate effort to use the visibility and cultural influence of sports to address needs extending far beyond competition.
Gay brings the same commitment to social justice and community empowerment to her leadership of BLM Sports that she demonstrates as Chairwoman of the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation. Through both roles, she continues to champion investments that strengthen communities, expand opportunity and support organizations working closest to the people they serve.
By supporting nationally recognized organizations, HBCU athletic programs and community-based initiatives, BLM Sports is helping ensure that funding reaches leaders working directly with students, young people and families—not only during moments of crisis, but throughout the year.
The investment represents more than financial assistance. It is an affirmation of the essential role these organizations and institutions play in developing talent, strengthening families and building healthier, more equitable communities.
“We cannot continue asking community organizations and HBCU programs to solve major challenges without giving them the resources to do it,” Gay said. “If we want stronger students, stronger athletes, stronger families and stronger communities, we must invest accordingly. BLM Sports is proud to stand with the people and organizations creating change every day.”
Through this national investment, BLM Sports is reinforcing a clear message: the true power of sports is measured not only by what happens during competition, but also by what becomes possible when influence, resources and opportunity are intentionally shared.
About BLM Sports
Founded by Cicley Gay, Chairwoman of the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation, BLM Sports is a sports philanthropy and social-impact organization committed to using the power, reach and cultural influence of sports to create meaningful opportunities for young people, student-athletes, women, families and underserved communities.
Through charitable giving, strategic partnerships and community-centered initiatives, BLM Sports supports work across youth development, education, HBCU athletics, mentorship, entrepreneurship, wellness and economic empowerment.
For more information, visit BLMSports.net.
