Empower Fest: Children, Culture and Community

Empower ME Academy (EMA), a San Francisco-based youth basketball social enterprise, is gearing up for its 2023 Empower Fest on August 26 & 27 at the Palace of Fine Arts. This event combines basketball challenges, experiences, local food, music, and fun.

EMA is renowned for fostering leadership and skills development among Bay Area youth. Empower Fest reflects their commitment to positive sports experiences. EMA’s CEO, Coach Jerome Gumbs, emphasizes its significance:

Empower Fest celebrates our values and culture, shifting youth sports from toxic competition to mental well-being and safety.

Empower Fest is open to students grades 3-12 and features 3-on-3 tournaments, dunk contests, 3-point shootouts, and skill challenges. The Hilltop Club teams will be joining to empower students. Registration at $100 includes the event jersey sponsored by Monkeybrains and lunch provided by The Little Chihuahua Restaurant, with financial aid available. Families and the community can attend for free.

Thanks to Point 3 Gear and other community members, the event includes an Awards ceremony honoring students embodying EMA’s values. There will also be a silent auction, open from August 25 to 27, that supports EMA’s year-round programs, offering items like luxury seats for a Warriors basketball home game.

Preceding Empower Fest, EMA offers clinics from August 21 to 25 for grades K-12, focusing on sports and leadership skills. Led by experienced coaches, clinics provide athletic training, yoga, and empowerment experiences.