We here at MATTER could not be more excited for our MATTER Pro partner, former NBA All-Star, Luol Deng, and the South Sudanese men’s national basketball team for becoming the top African team at this year’s FIBA Basketball World Cup. Their stunning victory earned them a coveted spot in the 2024 Olympics, marking the first …
From Refugees to Olympic Contenders: South Sudan’s Basketball Journey Read More »
Imagining the horrors of war is not easy for us in America. Especially a war on our own soil. Yes, we endured a civil war once, but that was a long time ago. We convince ourselves it could never happen again and with that false assurance, we often tune out the news of war in …
She arrives at the refugee camp tired, hungry and desperate. Her two young children, one beside her, the other in her arms, show no emotion. Haunted by fear and hunger, they are silent. Having walked for days in the hot sun, the exhausted trio is ready to collapse. But first, food. Their bodies are screaming …
Luol Deng: Championing Hunger Relief in South Sudan Read More »
MATTER Pro partner, Luol Deng, received the prestigious National Civil Rights Museum Sports Legacy Award on Monday, January 16, 2023, as part of the NBA’s 21st Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration Game in Memphis, Tennessee. The award recognizes athletes who have used their success in sports as a vehicle to advance civil rights, …
Luol Deng Receives National Civil Rights Museum Sports Legacy Award Read More »
Born in the east African country of South Sudan, retired NBA player and two-time All-Star, Luol Deng, moved with his family to Egypt when he was just a child. It was there he picked up his first basketball and played his first game. The rest, as they say, is history. Knowing first-hand the power of …
Investing in Education through Basketball in South Sudan Read More »
This story shared by Jacob Ross, Vice President of MATTER Pro. Sport harnesses the power of opportunity, opening doors and breaking down barriers for athletes, regardless of who you are or where you’re from. MATTER Pro focuses on utilizing this unique opportunity by partnering with professional athletes on philanthropic projects. Our recent MATTER Insight trip …
MATTER Insight Trip Shows How Sport Changes The World Read More »
While many of us know about athletes as a result of their superb performance or records set in their sport, what we often overlook is the charitable work that many do throughout the world. Professional athletes have a unique platform to influence others, whether they play basketball, baseball, football, soccer, tennis, rugby or any other …
Athletes Changing the World: 5 Athletes Doing Good! Read More »
Our guest writer is Saree Mading, Chief of Staff for the Luol Deng Foundation, a MATTER Pro partner. The Foundation recently began a new initiative, the South Sudan Youth Camp Activity, to strengthen and develop the youth of South Sudan through the power of sport. She showed up to camp in a white skirt and …
Luol Deng Foundation: Strengthening South Sudan Youth Through the Power of Sport Read More »
Welcome to our monthly update on projects that have launched or will soon be launching at MATTER. MATTER Innovation Hub A new MATTER Innovation Hub (MIH) opened last week at the Conway Community Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. Our partner, The Sanneh Foundation, constructed and designed a special room specifically for MIH learning. As part …
MATTER Project Updates: Partners Making An Impact Read More »
Our friend and MATTER partner, Gorgui Dieng of the Memphis Grizzlies, has been keeping himself busy during the NBA’s suspended season. With his home country of Senegal ever on his heart and mind, he’s been focusing this unexpected downtime on helping Senegal address the COVID-19 pandemic. On Instagram, Gorgui shared his foundation’s mission during this time: In response to the growing needs in Senegal, The Gorgui Dieng …
MATTER Partner Gorgui Dieng Aids Senegal During Pandemic Read More »
