About Us
We help your child find hope by providing a place to belong so they can breakthrough, achieve excellence, and make an impact.
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 impactโin 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
EMAโs 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.
EMAโs culture is our differentiator, and when it comes to life, it is our competitive advantage.
The following values create EMAโs culture of familyโour 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. Weโll ALWAYS value people and our relationships over profits.
Integrity
Always tell the truth. We believe that nothing is more important than our reputationโbehaving 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 themselvesโevery 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 studentsโwe see the best in everyone.
Passion
We are grateful that we have a job that feels more like a lifeโs 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 Founderโs 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 STORYARE YOU
ENROLLED?
APPLY TODAY
Ready to join the
Empower ME Academy?
Awesome. Weโre 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)
SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER
Learn, grow, and grab first dibs on what we offer. Get our Empowering News (E-NEWS) โ written by Coach Gumbs and the EMA Team โ every month.
Happy International Day of Happiness! We're celebrating all the things that make us smile and feel good.โ
โ
Take a moment to reflect on what brings you joy and fills your heart with happiness.โ
โ
Share in the comments and let's celebrate together!โ
โ
__ โ
โ
#empowermeacademy #ema #empowerme #empowered #liveempowered #iamempowered #leaders #leadership #basketball #youthbasketball #bayarea #bayareasports #wedevelopleaders #sports #internationaldayofhappiness #happiness #smile #joy
FREE-Playing was a blast today! โก๏ธ
Join us for our version of pick-up basketball next weekend. 2 full hours of leadership and competitive play.
๐Palace of Fine Arts 10-12 PM
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
๐ 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
Happy International Day of Happiness! We're celebrating all the things that make us smile and feel good.โ
โ
Take a moment to reflect on what brings you joy and fills your heart with happiness.โ
โ
Share in the comments and let's celebrate together!โ
โ
__ โ
โ
#empowermeacademy #ema #empowerme #empowered #liveempowered #iamempowered #leaders #leadership #basketball #youthbasketball #bayarea #bayareasports #wedevelopleaders #sports #internationaldayofhappiness #happiness #smile #joy
FREE-Playing was a blast today! โก๏ธ
Join us for our version of pick-up basketball next weekend. 2 full hours of leadership and competitive play.
๐Palace of Fine Arts 10-12 PM
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
๐ 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
The ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ป๐ฒ๐๐ is here! This is the moment when the world comes together to witness the sheer magic of college basketball. โ
โ
The excitement is palpable, with buzzer-beaters and epic upsets just waiting to happen. The energy and passion of the game are simply unbeatable. โ
โ
Don't miss out on the electrifying energy and passion that this game brings. Let us know who you have winning it all in the comments below!โ
โ
__ โ
โ
#empowermeacademy #ema #empowerme #empowered #liveempowered #iamempowered #leaders #leadership #basketball #youthbasketball #bayarea #bayareasports #wedevelopleaders #sports #marchmadness #madness #march #postseason
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
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
Oprahโs 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 donโt just develop leaders, ๐๐ฒ ๐ฒ๐บ๐ฝ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐บ.
Happy International Day of Happiness! We're celebrating all the things that make us smile and feel good.โ
โ
Take a moment to reflect on what brings you joy and fills your heart with happiness.โ
โ
Share in the comments and let's celebrate together!โ
โ
__ โ
โ
#empowermeacademy #ema #empowerme #empowered #liveempowered #iamempowered #leaders #leadership #basketball #youthbasketball #bayarea #bayareasports #wedevelopleaders #sports #internationaldayofhappiness #happiness #smile #joy
FREE-Playing was a blast today! โก๏ธ
Join us for our version of pick-up basketball next weekend. 2 full hours of leadership and competitive play.
๐Palace of Fine Arts 10-12 PM
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
๐ 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
The ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ป๐ฒ๐๐ is here! This is the moment when the world comes together to witness the sheer magic of college basketball. โ
โ
The excitement is palpable, with buzzer-beaters and epic upsets just waiting to happen. The energy and passion of the game are simply unbeatable. โ
โ
Don't miss out on the electrifying energy and passion that this game brings. Let us know who you have winning it all in the comments below!โ
โ
__ โ
โ
#empowermeacademy #ema #empowerme #empowered #liveempowered #iamempowered #leaders #leadership #basketball #youthbasketball #bayarea #bayareasports #wedevelopleaders #sports #marchmadness #madness #march #postseason
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
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
Oprahโs 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 donโt just develop leaders, ๐๐ฒ ๐ฒ๐บ๐ฝ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐บ.
Big shoutout to our Student-Leaders, Oscar, Jack, and the entire Mt Carmel Team for winning the 5th grade ๐๐ฌ๐ข ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐บ๐ฝ๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐๐ต๐ถ๐ฝ for Marin County ๐
Oscar hit the game-winning free throw (๐ช๐ฏ ๐ฑ๐ฉ๐ฐ๐ต๐ฐ) to put Mt Carmel over St Anselms 36-35 ๐
Congrats to St Anselms as well, who came in second but also played like Champs ๐ซก
Both Teams had players representing The Academy, and we are very proud of all of them ๐คฉ
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
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 childโs leadership journey using the link in bio ๐
โ
__ โ
โ
#empowermeacademy #ema #empowerme #empowered #liveempowered #iamempowered #leaders #leadership #basketball #youthbasketball #bayarea #bayareasports #wedevelopleaders #sports
Support Now
