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, [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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. Saree, left, talking with Sabura. She showed up [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
“Sport has the power to change the world.” Nelson Mandala Athletes today carry the stature of celebrity. And like celebrities, their public influence and huge fan base puts them in a unique position to make a significant impact in our world. While many recognize the importance of using their influence for good, it’s often the case they don’t know where or how [...]