ball 4 A CURE inc.
Co-Founder | August 2015 - Present
Six of my closest buddies and I founded Ball 4 a Cure, an annual three on three charity basketball tournament in our hometown of West Hartford, Connecticut. All of the money is donated to the Oncology Clinic at Connecticut Children's Medical Center. The tournament has been an incredible community-wide event, drawing 150 plus competitors from all over the East Coast every year.
First Annual - August 2015
In 2015 we had an idea; an idea that came to fruition that summer. Our first annual Ball 4 A Cure tournament was more successful than we could have imagined. When it was all said and done, we had over 30 teams and raised over $1,500. The logo has come a long way from the first Fresh Prince of Bel-Air inspired design, I created on Microsoft Paint.
Second Annual - August 2016
In our Second Annual Ball 4 a Cure Tournament, we added a Juniors Tournament. With 120 plus competitors, we raised over $2000 for the Oncology Clinic at Connecticut Children's Medical Center. Team Guadalupe brought home the gold along with a grand prize of $150. In our younger division, the winners went home with 4 UConn football tickets! It was a great day for the tournament as the weather held off and everyone had a great time.
Third Annual - August 2017
The Third Annual Ball 4 a Cure tournament was another success. Once again we were able to raise our registration numbers, reaching upwards of 130 people. The move to an indoor location proved to be a success as we were able to accompany more teams with the extra courts. In year three, we raised over $3000, implementing silent auctions and side games for spectators and competitors alike.
Fourth Annual - August 2018
With another year under our belt came more success, raising $6,669. We started fundraising efforts earlier, securing 11 sponsors for the tournament (including my very own Cost Projects). We also leveraged Instagram and Venmo, to raise over $1000 to cut my hair into a mullet for the event. Both the Juniors and Adult tournament expanded, drawing a mix of 150 Intermural scrubs, College Athletes, and High School hoopers alike. We are currently in the process of becoming an official Non-Profit in Connecticut as we head into our fifth year.
Work in Detroit, MI
University of michigan
Recipient of the 2018 North Campus Deans’ Martin Luther King Spirit Award
The award celebrates the outstanding achievements of the North Campus community members who exemplify the leadership and vision of Dr. King through their commitment to social justice, diversity, and inclusion for my work in Detroit.
Founder | U of M Detroit Collaboration February 2016 - Present
My second semester of sophomore year, I started a club with three fellow students in which we taught 4th Grade art at Bennett Elementary School in Southwest Detroit. We managed and funded a weekly budget that paid for transportation and art supplies for the tens of projects that served as the classes' curriculum. The club is still operating at the University of Michigan and was recently approved for $2000 in funding per semester.
Recognized for my efforts with U of M Detroit Collaboration in the Penny Stamps School of Art and Design Student Spotlight.
Student | Spring Semester 2018
Our class at the University of Michigan partnered with a Sustainability class, at Brightmoor High School in Detroit; the classes looking to co-create social impact through entrepreneurship and design. Our team's objective was to discover sustainable methods of dyeing clothes using organic fruits and spices. The final products were indigo dyed hoodies with contrasting turmeric dyed sleeves. We worked with the students to create brand guidelines for their clothing line while teaching them tangibles skills like sewing.
Student | Fall Semester 2017
The Detroit Neighborhood Entrepreneurs Project (DNEP) is an interdisciplinary engagement with small businesses in Detroit. Our group was paired with Detroit Sip, a local coffee shop looking to improve the design of their brand and physical space. Throughout the semester, we worked to develop consistent branding for Detroit Sip's social media and website. I was tasked with designing and prototyping outdoor signage using a CNC router and outdoor sealant spray. Overall, a very rewarding project, in which we were able to deliver tactical results.
Co-Chair | November 2016 - 2018
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Our fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha's Beta Tau Chapter, organizes Rivalry Run, an annual event in which the brother run a football from The Big House to Ohio the weekend before the Michigan vs. Ohio State football game. The event has donated upwards of $250,000 to the Rogel Cancer Center over the past 5 years, raising over $150,000 in my tenure as Chair of External Fundraising. Since graduating, Cost Projects has happily participated as a sponsor for the event.
