WHAT WE DO

Founded in 2013, Empower ME Academy provides a holistic training experience. Student-Leaders develop better basketball skills โ€” and in addition, improve their attitude, commitment, and discipline. Ultimately, our Student-Leaders become well-rounded leaders and adults, successful on the court and in life.

Mission

To unlock each young human's leadership potential for a lifetime of achievement and meaningful impactโ€”in sports and life.

Vision

Sports becomes the ultimate magnet to attract ALL kids and young humans, while creating the safe-haven environment that optimally enables the development of leadership skills for life through the process of self-actualization. After graduating, these leaders will carry a framework for being a positive and productive member of society through their own unique expression of what it means to be a good person.

Our culture

EMAโ€™s culture defines us. It is what we stand for and value as an ecosystem of people pursuing a shared mission. It is the powerful force that guides the way we work together, treat each other, and treat those around us.

EMAโ€™s culture is our differentiator, and when it comes to life, it is our competitive advantage.

The following values create EMAโ€™s culture of familyโ€”our superpower.

(4) CORE VALUES

Trust

Nothing is more valuable to us than the trust we cultivate with our families, team, and everyone in our ecosystem. We earn this trust through our professionalism, honesty, transparency, excellence in customer service, and asking for feedback.

Relationships

Relationships are the fabric of EMA. We create powerful relationships by cultivating raving fans, not clients, and by treating people better than they expect by exceeding their expectations. If our families, partners, and team are raving about us, then we have achieved our goal. Weโ€™ll ALWAYS value people and our relationships over profits.

Integrity

Always tell the truth. We believe that nothing is more important than our reputationโ€”behaving with the highest levels of integrity is fundamental to who we are.

Inclusion

Working with people of different backgrounds, cultures, demographics, and thinking styles helps us grow into better professionals and leaders. We accept people as part of the EMA community when their intentions and heart align with wanting to become a good person and positively promote others' journey. We recognize and acknowledge that people are at different starting points. This means that each person is unique. However, we do not align with malintent or intentional hate that is counter to this intention.

(7) Leadership BEHAVIORS

We Develop L.E.A.D.E.R.S.

Listening

Listen with ears to hear you. Listen with eyes to see you. Listen with heart to connect with you.

Empathetic

Seek genuine connections by understanding the needs of others and being aware of their feelings, thoughts, and body language.

Accountable

Embrace mistakes to become your best version.

Daring

Engage every challenge with courage and enthusiasm by taking risks without fearing failure.

Energy-giving

Raise the confidence of others by making people feel good about themselvesโ€”every day.

Resilient

Bounce back stronger from setbacks with hope and optimism.

Self-less

Prioritize WE over me.

(4) EXPERIENCES

Positive outlook

At all levels of the organization, we exemplify our values. What we expect from each other and our studentsโ€”we see the best in everyone.

Passion

We are grateful that we have a job that feels more like a lifeโ€™s purpose.

Bold

We embrace going beyond our comfort zone.

Mindfulness

Our ethos gives everyone the enthusiasm and safe space to think โ€” to be present โ€” leading to mental agility, resilience and self-awareness.

Access and Inclusion Story

From the very first day EMA started its operations, the organization has prioritized access and inclusion. Since 2014, EMA has awarded over $500,000 in tuition assistance to over 100 student-athletesโ€™ in need. Currently, 20% of its students receive assistance.


2014

$2,000 awarded
5 students

2015

$40,000 awarded
20 recipients

2016

$76,000 awarded
40 recipients

2017

$110,000 awarded
50 recipients

2018

$120,000 awarded
75 recipients

2019

$80,000 awarded
40 recipients

2020

$50,00 awarded
43 recipients

2021

$36,000 awarded
26 recipients

Our Founderโ€™s Story

Coach Jerome Gumbs leads a healthy lifestyle that revolves around making sure each Student-Athlete gets the support they need to succeed on the court and in life. The responsibility he carries in doing so is his greatest privilege.

READ HIS FULL STORY

ARE YOU
ENROLLED?

APPLY TODAY

Ready to join the
Empower ME Academy?

Awesome. Weโ€™re about something bigger than basketball. And we want you to be a part of it.

For our son Maddox, Empower ME has been the best and most important academic or athletic after school program.

Stephen Davis
Father of Maddox Davis
(HS Class of 2021)

BEGIN THE APPLICATION

FREE-Playing was a blast today! โšก๏ธ

Join us for our version of pick-up basketball next weekend. 2 full hours of leadership and competitive play.

๐Ÿ“Palace of Fine Arts 10-12 PM
...

37 1

Hey there! Are you ready for some pick up basketball? Join us for two hours of non-stop, high-energy action in our FREE-playing (open gym) experience. โ 
โ 
This is your chance to showcase your skills, push your limits, and take your game to the next level. โ 

๐Ÿ“ Palace of Fine Arts from 10-12 PM
โ 
Sign up link in bio. We can't wait to see you there! โ 
โ 
__ โ 
โ 
#empowermeacademy #ema #empowerme #empowered #liveempowered #iamempowered #leaders #leadership #basketball #youthbasketball #bayarea #bayareasports #wedevelopleaders #sports #freeplaying #freeplay #pickup #pickupbasketball #opengym
...

19 0

FREE-Playing was a blast today! โšก๏ธ

Join us for our version of pick-up basketball next weekend. 2 full hours of leadership and competitive play.

๐Ÿ“Palace of Fine Arts 10-12 PM
...

37 1

Hey there! Are you ready for some pick up basketball? Join us for two hours of non-stop, high-energy action in our FREE-playing (open gym) experience. โ 
โ 
This is your chance to showcase your skills, push your limits, and take your game to the next level. โ 

๐Ÿ“ Palace of Fine Arts from 10-12 PM
โ 
Sign up link in bio. We can't wait to see you there! โ 
โ 
__ โ 
โ 
#empowermeacademy #ema #empowerme #empowered #liveempowered #iamempowered #leaders #leadership #basketball #youthbasketball #bayarea #bayareasports #wedevelopleaders #sports #freeplaying #freeplay #pickup #pickupbasketball #opengym
...

19 0

Looking to enhance your leadership skills and develop a well-rounded perspective on life?โ 
โ 
Start your leadership journey, designed to provide a holistic approach to leadership development. Our program aims to cultivate the entire student leader. โ 
โ 
Join us and see how you can unlock your full potential!โ 
โ 
Link in bio! โ 
โ 
__ โ 
โ 
#empowermeacademy #ema #empowerme #empowered #liveempowered #iamempowered #leaders #leadership #basketball #youthbasketball #bayarea #bayareasports #wedevelopleaders #sports
...

25 3

Today, we aim for progress, not perfection. โ 
โ 
Let's commit to being 1% better than we were yesterday, whether it's in our personal lives or on the basketball court. Remember, success is not a one-time event, it's a journey.โ 
โ 
__ โ 
โ 
#empowermeacademy #ema #empowerme #empowered #liveempowered #iamempowered #leaders #leadership #basketball #youthbasketball #bayarea #bayareasports #wedevelopleaders #sports #progress #progressoverperfection #improvement
...

21 1

Oprahโ€™s quote serves as a powerful reminder of the fundamental qualities that define true leadership. A leader who possesses these traits can inspire individuals and transform communities.

Empathy is one of our core LEADER values; we donโ€™t just develop leaders, ๐˜„๐—ฒ ๐—ฒ๐—บ๐—ฝ๐—ผ๐˜„๐—ฒ๐—ฟ ๐˜๐—ต๐—ฒ๐—บ.
...

20 1

FREE-Playing was a blast today! โšก๏ธ

Join us for our version of pick-up basketball next weekend. 2 full hours of leadership and competitive play.

๐Ÿ“Palace of Fine Arts 10-12 PM
...

37 1

Hey there! Are you ready for some pick up basketball? Join us for two hours of non-stop, high-energy action in our FREE-playing (open gym) experience. โ 
โ 
This is your chance to showcase your skills, push your limits, and take your game to the next level. โ 

๐Ÿ“ Palace of Fine Arts from 10-12 PM
โ 
Sign up link in bio. We can't wait to see you there! โ 
โ 
__ โ 
โ 
#empowermeacademy #ema #empowerme #empowered #liveempowered #iamempowered #leaders #leadership #basketball #youthbasketball #bayarea #bayareasports #wedevelopleaders #sports #freeplaying #freeplay #pickup #pickupbasketball #opengym
...

19 0

Looking to enhance your leadership skills and develop a well-rounded perspective on life?โ 
โ 
Start your leadership journey, designed to provide a holistic approach to leadership development. Our program aims to cultivate the entire student leader. โ 
โ 
Join us and see how you can unlock your full potential!โ 
โ 
Link in bio! โ 
โ 
__ โ 
โ 
#empowermeacademy #ema #empowerme #empowered #liveempowered #iamempowered #leaders #leadership #basketball #youthbasketball #bayarea #bayareasports #wedevelopleaders #sports
...

25 3

Today, we aim for progress, not perfection. โ 
โ 
Let's commit to being 1% better than we were yesterday, whether it's in our personal lives or on the basketball court. Remember, success is not a one-time event, it's a journey.โ 
โ 
__ โ 
โ 
#empowermeacademy #ema #empowerme #empowered #liveempowered #iamempowered #leaders #leadership #basketball #youthbasketball #bayarea #bayareasports #wedevelopleaders #sports #progress #progressoverperfection #improvement
...

21 1

Oprahโ€™s quote serves as a powerful reminder of the fundamental qualities that define true leadership. A leader who possesses these traits can inspire individuals and transform communities.

Empathy is one of our core LEADER values; we donโ€™t just develop leaders, ๐˜„๐—ฒ ๐—ฒ๐—บ๐—ฝ๐—ผ๐˜„๐—ฒ๐—ฟ ๐˜๐—ต๐—ฒ๐—บ.
...

20 1

Buckle up, folks - it's time for Selection Sunday. March Madness is finally here, and we couldn't be more energized! โ 
โ 
Who do you have winning it all this year? Share your predictions in the comments below! โ 
โ 
__ โ 
โ 
#empowermeacademy #ema #empowerme #empowered #liveempowered #iamempowered #leaders #leadership #basketball #youthbasketball #bayarea #bayareasports #wedevelopleaders #sports #marchmadness #selectionsunday #collegebasketball
...

15 0

When competition is nurtured in a positive environment, it provides the perfect platform for players to grow and improve their skills, not just on the court, but in all aspects of life. โ 
โ 
The challenges and opportunities that come with competition enable athletes to reach their full potential, both as players and individuals.โ 
โ 
We offer a great environment for development and empowerment. โ Sign up for your or your childโ€™s leadership journey using the link in bio ๐Ÿ”—
โ 
__ โ 
โ 
#empowermeacademy #ema #empowerme #empowered #liveempowered #iamempowered #leaders #leadership #basketball #youthbasketball #bayarea #bayareasports #wedevelopleaders #sports
...

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SUPPORT YOUR FUTURE LEADERS!

From the very first day EMA started its operations,the organization has prioritized access and inclusion.

SUPPORT NOW
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