Empower ME Academy | Basketball Skill & Leadership Development

Empower ME Academy | Basketball Skill & Leadership Development

Group 3

Gift Now Apply Now

Your child's journey starts today.

We Develop
Leaders!

Group 8

We wouldn't be where we are today without our amazing community. Thank you!

Celebrating 10 Years
of Empowering Leaders

Group 9

Highlights from Documentary

Our goal is to change the youth sports narrative by cultivating compassionate leaders. Watch our powerful documentary.

Empowered:
A Leader's Journey

Watch full Documentary

SPEAKING TRUTH

Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair. It is more powerful than government in breaking down racial barriers.

Nelson Mandela

1918 - 2013

Image Credit: YouTube

Excellence is changing the status quo and raising the expectations of youth sports by offering high quality coaching/mentorship, while commiting to innovation, modeling exceptional values, and raising the standards of human service.

Learn More

Our Impact Since 2013

0+
Leaders served

0+
Active Students

0%
Leaders from Public schools

0%
Leaders of color

0+%
of SF zip codes represented

0+
facilities used

$0k
In Tuition Assistance

0+
5-star google reviews

THE OUTCOME?

1. Engage

Every experience is an opportunity to improve your skills. Connect with your best self to become a leader.

1 2 3 4

BROWSE OUR COURSES

THE OUTCOME?

2. Embrace

Your leadership journey doesn’t happen alone. We all get it done together. We are a family.

1 2 3 4

BROWSE OUR COURSES

THE OUTCOME?

3. Evolve

At your best, you show others the way. Become a master of teamwork and leadership.

1 2 3 4

BROWSE OUR COURSES

THE OUTCOME?

4. Become

Learn to lead with confidence. Help those around you to exceed expectations.

1 2 3 4

BROWSE OUR COURSES

Proud Partners

CLICK logo to visit our partners!

We are the San Francisco Bay Area’s Empower ME Academy.

We teach all essential basketball fundamentals — all skills and concepts — plus leadership skills that go way beyond the court. We’re just better.
Want to know why?

MEET THE TEAM

TESTIMONIALS

EMA has been truly transformational for our daughter, beyond any basketball experience she has had at school or through two AAU programs. Here’s why — Jerome and his team teach much more than basketball.

David Glickman

Father of Samantha Glickman
(HS Class of 2021)

READ MORE TESTIMONIALS

David Glickman

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT US?

SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER

Learn, grow, and grab first dibs on what we offer. Get our Empowering News (E-NEWS) — written by Coach Gumbs and the EMA Team — every month.

Empower ME Academy

empowermeacademy

2,248 3,829

501c3 Non-Profit Organization
Where top-class leadership meets high-level basketball development. 𝗪𝗘 𝗗𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗟𝗢𝗣 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗦! 🫡

empowermeacademy

Jun 27

Every rep counts 🏀

“I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. That’s why I succeed” #michaeljordan

Keep grinding. Keep pushing. Don’t be afraid to fail; every step gets you closer to greatness ⚡️

Every rep counts 🏀

“I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. That’s why I succeed” #michaeljordan

Keep grinding. Keep pushing. Don’t be afraid to fail; every step gets you closer to greatness ⚡️ ...

4 0

empowermeacademy

Jun 26

“All my life...they’ve been tryin’ to keep me down.”

Like the song says—our students and their families have been searching for something transformative.

In USF’s weight room with Coach Nate ( @nathan.culbreath ), our 12U LEADERS weren’t just lifting weights—they were lifting standards and lifting each other.

The energy was high.
The chemistry was real.
The culture? Unshakable.

We’re not just building players—we’re building soldiers to play the right way—for each other.

And the Bay has been starving for this.

“All my life...they’ve been tryin’ to keep me down.”

Like the song says—our students and their families have been searching for something transformative.

In USF’s weight room with Coach Nate ( @nathan.culbreath ), our 12U LEADERS weren’t just lifting weights—they were lifting standards and lifting each other.

The energy was high.
The chemistry was real.
The culture? Unshakable.

We’re not just building players—we’re building soldiers to play the right way—for each other.

And the Bay has been starving for this. ...

48 0

empowermeacademy

Jun 25

#OutworktheWorldWednesday 🌍

Film humbles ‘em.
Weights builds ‘em.
Practice scares everyone else.
Something epic is coming.

12U Leaders. One city. One mission. One family.
The rest of the Bay better lace ‘em tight… athletix 👟

—
🎬 @vfxlukas
#WorkTheWorldWednesday #12ULeaders #EarnedNotGiven #BeautifulBasketball #BayBuilt

#OutworktheWorldWednesday 🌍

Film humbles ‘em.
Weights builds ‘em.
Practice scares everyone else.
Something epic is coming.

12U Leaders. One city. One mission. One family.
The rest of the Bay better lace ‘em tight… athletix 👟

—
🎬 @vfxlukas
#WorkTheWorldWednesday #12ULeaders #EarnedNotGiven #BeautifulBasketball #BayBuilt ...

31 0

Load More Follow on Instagram

Empower ME Academy

empowermeacademy

2,248 3,829

501c3 Non-Profit Organization
Where top-class leadership meets high-level basketball development. 𝗪𝗘 𝗗𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗟𝗢𝗣 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗦! 🫡

empowermeacademy

Jun 27

Every rep counts 🏀

“I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. That’s why I succeed” #michaeljordan

Keep grinding. Keep pushing. Don’t be afraid to fail; every step gets you closer to greatness ⚡️

Every rep counts 🏀

“I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. That’s why I succeed” #michaeljordan

Keep grinding. Keep pushing. Don’t be afraid to fail; every step gets you closer to greatness ⚡️ ...

4 0

empowermeacademy

Jun 26

“All my life...they’ve been tryin’ to keep me down.”

Like the song says—our students and their families have been searching for something transformative.

In USF’s weight room with Coach Nate ( @nathan.culbreath ), our 12U LEADERS weren’t just lifting weights—they were lifting standards and lifting each other.

The energy was high.
The chemistry was real.
The culture? Unshakable.

We’re not just building players—we’re building soldiers to play the right way—for each other.

And the Bay has been starving for this.

“All my life...they’ve been tryin’ to keep me down.”

Like the song says—our students and their families have been searching for something transformative.

In USF’s weight room with Coach Nate ( @nathan.culbreath ), our 12U LEADERS weren’t just lifting weights—they were lifting standards and lifting each other.

The energy was high.
The chemistry was real.
The culture? Unshakable.

We’re not just building players—we’re building soldiers to play the right way—for each other.

And the Bay has been starving for this. ...

48 0

empowermeacademy

Jun 25

#OutworktheWorldWednesday 🌍

Film humbles ‘em.
Weights builds ‘em.
Practice scares everyone else.
Something epic is coming.

12U Leaders. One city. One mission. One family.
The rest of the Bay better lace ‘em tight… athletix 👟

—
🎬 @vfxlukas
#WorkTheWorldWednesday #12ULeaders #EarnedNotGiven #BeautifulBasketball #BayBuilt

#OutworktheWorldWednesday 🌍

Film humbles ‘em.
Weights builds ‘em.
Practice scares everyone else.
Something epic is coming.

12U Leaders. One city. One mission. One family.
The rest of the Bay better lace ‘em tight… athletix 👟

—
🎬 @vfxlukas
#WorkTheWorldWednesday #12ULeaders #EarnedNotGiven #BeautifulBasketball #BayBuilt ...

31 0

empowermeacademy

Jun 23

The third session of our off-season series starts today with scoring & playmaking 🏀

Unlock your potential and sign up today. There’s still time to join the clinic! Tuition assistance and prorated options are available ⚡️

Check out the link in bio or send us a message!

The third session of our off-season series starts today with scoring & playmaking 🏀

Unlock your potential and sign up today. There’s still time to join the clinic! Tuition assistance and prorated options are available ⚡️

Check out the link in bio or send us a message! ...

3 0

empowermeacademy

Jun 22

BIG birthday shout out to our Director of People, Culture & Admin, Annette Margolis ( @bornandraisedinsf ) 🥳

Thank you for all that you do and all that you are; we surely wouldn’t function without you!

BIG birthday shout out to our Director of People, Culture & Admin, Annette Margolis ( @bornandraisedinsf ) 🥳

Thank you for all that you do and all that you are; we surely wouldn’t function without you! ...

167 21

empowermeacademy

Jun 21

Next week is all about scoring and playmaking. Whether that’s creating for yourself or others, we’ve designed this clinic to equip you with the tools necessary to unlock not just your potential, but your teammates.

Join now! Sign up with our link in bio.

Next week is all about scoring and playmaking. Whether that’s creating for yourself or others, we’ve designed this clinic to equip you with the tools necessary to unlock not just your potential, but your teammates.

Join now! Sign up with our link in bio. ...

3 0

empowermeacademy

Jun 20

Point to the teammate who set you up — because we celebrate the pass just as much as the finish.

Recognition. Gratitude. Teamwork. That’s how we play.

Tag your favorite point guard in the comments below! 👇🏽

Point to the teammate who set you up — because we celebrate the pass just as much as the finish.

Recognition. Gratitude. Teamwork. That’s how we play.

Tag your favorite point guard in the comments below! 👇🏽 ...

24 0

Load More Follow on Instagram

Empower ME Academy

empowermeacademy

2,248 3,829

501c3 Non-Profit Organization
Where top-class leadership meets high-level basketball development. 𝗪𝗘 𝗗𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗟𝗢𝗣 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗦! 🫡

empowermeacademy

Jun 27

Every rep counts 🏀

“I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. That’s why I succeed” #michaeljordan

Keep grinding. Keep pushing. Don’t be afraid to fail; every step gets you closer to greatness ⚡️

Every rep counts 🏀

“I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. That’s why I succeed” #michaeljordan

Keep grinding. Keep pushing. Don’t be afraid to fail; every step gets you closer to greatness ⚡️ ...

4 0

empowermeacademy

Jun 26

“All my life...they’ve been tryin’ to keep me down.”

Like the song says—our students and their families have been searching for something transformative.

In USF’s weight room with Coach Nate ( @nathan.culbreath ), our 12U LEADERS weren’t just lifting weights—they were lifting standards and lifting each other.

The energy was high.
The chemistry was real.
The culture? Unshakable.

We’re not just building players—we’re building soldiers to play the right way—for each other.

And the Bay has been starving for this.

“All my life...they’ve been tryin’ to keep me down.”

Like the song says—our students and their families have been searching for something transformative.

In USF’s weight room with Coach Nate ( @nathan.culbreath ), our 12U LEADERS weren’t just lifting weights—they were lifting standards and lifting each other.

The energy was high.
The chemistry was real.
The culture? Unshakable.

We’re not just building players—we’re building soldiers to play the right way—for each other.

And the Bay has been starving for this. ...

48 0

empowermeacademy

Jun 25

#OutworktheWorldWednesday 🌍

Film humbles ‘em.
Weights builds ‘em.
Practice scares everyone else.
Something epic is coming.

12U Leaders. One city. One mission. One family.
The rest of the Bay better lace ‘em tight… athletix 👟

—
🎬 @vfxlukas
#WorkTheWorldWednesday #12ULeaders #EarnedNotGiven #BeautifulBasketball #BayBuilt

#OutworktheWorldWednesday 🌍

Film humbles ‘em.
Weights builds ‘em.
Practice scares everyone else.
Something epic is coming.

12U Leaders. One city. One mission. One family.
The rest of the Bay better lace ‘em tight… athletix 👟

—
🎬 @vfxlukas
#WorkTheWorldWednesday #12ULeaders #EarnedNotGiven #BeautifulBasketball #BayBuilt ...

31 0

empowermeacademy

Jun 23

The third session of our off-season series starts today with scoring & playmaking 🏀

Unlock your potential and sign up today. There’s still time to join the clinic! Tuition assistance and prorated options are available ⚡️

Check out the link in bio or send us a message!

The third session of our off-season series starts today with scoring & playmaking 🏀

Unlock your potential and sign up today. There’s still time to join the clinic! Tuition assistance and prorated options are available ⚡️

Check out the link in bio or send us a message! ...

3 0

empowermeacademy

Jun 22

BIG birthday shout out to our Director of People, Culture & Admin, Annette Margolis ( @bornandraisedinsf ) 🥳

Thank you for all that you do and all that you are; we surely wouldn’t function without you!

BIG birthday shout out to our Director of People, Culture & Admin, Annette Margolis ( @bornandraisedinsf ) 🥳

Thank you for all that you do and all that you are; we surely wouldn’t function without you! ...

167 21

empowermeacademy

Jun 21

Next week is all about scoring and playmaking. Whether that’s creating for yourself or others, we’ve designed this clinic to equip you with the tools necessary to unlock not just your potential, but your teammates.

Join now! Sign up with our link in bio.

Next week is all about scoring and playmaking. Whether that’s creating for yourself or others, we’ve designed this clinic to equip you with the tools necessary to unlock not just your potential, but your teammates.

Join now! Sign up with our link in bio. ...

3 0

empowermeacademy

Jun 20

Point to the teammate who set you up — because we celebrate the pass just as much as the finish.

Recognition. Gratitude. Teamwork. That’s how we play.

Tag your favorite point guard in the comments below! 👇🏽

Point to the teammate who set you up — because we celebrate the pass just as much as the finish.

Recognition. Gratitude. Teamwork. That’s how we play.

Tag your favorite point guard in the comments below! 👇🏽 ...

24 0

empowermeacademy

Jun 19

Honoring the past. Empowering the future ✊🏾

Today, we celebrate Juneteenth — a powerful reminder of freedom, resilience, and the ongoing journey toward justice.

At EMA, we believe in building a world where every young human is seen, heard, and given the tools to lead with purpose.

Honoring the past. Empowering the future ✊🏾

Today, we celebrate Juneteenth — a powerful reminder of freedom, resilience, and the ongoing journey toward justice.

At EMA, we believe in building a world where every young human is seen, heard, and given the tools to lead with purpose. ...

15 0

empowermeacademy

Jun 19

Our team LEADERS don’t just play the game — they live the culture 💥

They show up with heart, hold themselves to a higher standard, and lead by example on and off the court.

At Empower ME Academy, leadership means being selfless and accountable while having the courage to grow. These young leaders are creating the blueprint.

Our team LEADERS don’t just play the game — they live the culture 💥

They show up with heart, hold themselves to a higher standard, and lead by example on and off the court.

At Empower ME Academy, leadership means being selfless and accountable while having the courage to grow. These young leaders are creating the blueprint. ...

25 0

empowermeacademy

Jun 18

No one should be denied opportunity because of money.

We’re raising $100,000 for tuition assistance—so every young leader gets a chance to grow, on and off the court 🏀

✨ Every dollar helps a child grow in confidence, character, and courage.

This is your moment to give. Link in bio.

No one should be denied opportunity because of money.

We’re raising $100,000 for tuition assistance—so every young leader gets a chance to grow, on and off the court 🏀

✨ Every dollar helps a child grow in confidence, character, and courage.

This is your moment to give. Link in bio. ...

6 0

Load More Follow on Instagram

SUPPORT YOUR FUTURE LEADERS!

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

Gift Now