Empower ME Academy | Basketball Skill & Leadership Development

Empower ME Academy | Basketball Skill & Leadership Development

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Your child's journey starts today.

We Develop
Leaders!

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

Celebrating 12 Years
of Empowering Leaders

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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.

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Our Impact Since 2013

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Leaders served

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Active Students

0%
Leaders from Public schools

0%
Leaders of color

0+%
of SF zip codes represented

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facilities used

$0k
In Tuition Assistance

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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.

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THE OUTCOME?

2. Embrace

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

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THE OUTCOME?

3. Evolve

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

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THE OUTCOME?

4. Become

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

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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

2,386 4,178

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

empowermeacademy

Feb 27

We’re #builtDifferent at EMA. We put the culture first and believe everything else will follow. It’s all about playing the right way and for each other. Tap in this weekend as our #teamLEADERS will be at it again ⚡️

We’re #builtDifferent at EMA. We put the culture first and believe everything else will follow. It’s all about playing the right way and for each other. Tap in this weekend as our #teamLEADERS will be at it again ⚡️ ...

30 1

empowermeacademy

Feb 27

We continue to celebrate Black History Month by honoring another trailblazer: Laila Edwards — the first Black woman to compete on the Team USA women’s hockey team and a Gold Medal champion 🏒🥇

Laila didn’t just make history, she raised the bar, opened doors, and showed us what excellence looks like on the biggest stage. Her legacy reminds us that representation matters, moments matter, and breakthroughs begin with someone brave enough to step forward ✊🏾✨

#BlackHistoryMonth #Trailblazer #LailaEdwards

We continue to celebrate Black History Month by honoring another trailblazer: Laila Edwards — the first Black woman to compete on the Team USA women’s hockey team and a Gold Medal champion 🏒🥇

Laila didn’t just make history, she raised the bar, opened doors, and showed us what excellence looks like on the biggest stage. Her legacy reminds us that representation matters, moments matter, and breakthroughs begin with someone brave enough to step forward ✊🏾✨

#BlackHistoryMonth #Trailblazer #LailaEdwards ...

19 2

empowermeacademy

Feb 26

Summer in the bay hits different with #EMA

We’re developing more than a pretty jump shot. Mark your calendars for our off-season summer clinics and become not just a well-rounded player but a better leader.

ℹ️ Feel free to reach out for more info. Registration opens soon!

Summer in the bay hits different with #EMA

We’re developing more than a pretty jump shot. Mark your calendars for our off-season summer clinics and become not just a well-rounded player but a better leader.

ℹ️ Feel free to reach out for more info. Registration opens soon! ...

21 0

Load More Follow on Instagram

Empower ME Academy

empowermeacademy

2,386 4,178

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

empowermeacademy

Feb 27

We’re #builtDifferent at EMA. We put the culture first and believe everything else will follow. It’s all about playing the right way and for each other. Tap in this weekend as our #teamLEADERS will be at it again ⚡️

We’re #builtDifferent at EMA. We put the culture first and believe everything else will follow. It’s all about playing the right way and for each other. Tap in this weekend as our #teamLEADERS will be at it again ⚡️ ...

30 1

empowermeacademy

Feb 27

We continue to celebrate Black History Month by honoring another trailblazer: Laila Edwards — the first Black woman to compete on the Team USA women’s hockey team and a Gold Medal champion 🏒🥇

Laila didn’t just make history, she raised the bar, opened doors, and showed us what excellence looks like on the biggest stage. Her legacy reminds us that representation matters, moments matter, and breakthroughs begin with someone brave enough to step forward ✊🏾✨

#BlackHistoryMonth #Trailblazer #LailaEdwards

We continue to celebrate Black History Month by honoring another trailblazer: Laila Edwards — the first Black woman to compete on the Team USA women’s hockey team and a Gold Medal champion 🏒🥇

Laila didn’t just make history, she raised the bar, opened doors, and showed us what excellence looks like on the biggest stage. Her legacy reminds us that representation matters, moments matter, and breakthroughs begin with someone brave enough to step forward ✊🏾✨

#BlackHistoryMonth #Trailblazer #LailaEdwards ...

19 2

empowermeacademy

Feb 26

Summer in the bay hits different with #EMA

We’re developing more than a pretty jump shot. Mark your calendars for our off-season summer clinics and become not just a well-rounded player but a better leader.

ℹ️ Feel free to reach out for more info. Registration opens soon!

Summer in the bay hits different with #EMA

We’re developing more than a pretty jump shot. Mark your calendars for our off-season summer clinics and become not just a well-rounded player but a better leader.

ℹ️ Feel free to reach out for more info. Registration opens soon! ...

21 0

empowermeacademy

Feb 25

How it started → How it’s going ⚡️

#HBD Coach Andrew!
Drop some birthday cheer in the comments below! 👇🏽

How it started → How it’s going ⚡️

#HBD Coach Andrew!
Drop some birthday cheer in the comments below! 👇🏽 ...

136 29

empowermeacademy

Feb 20

Leaders 15U & 16U Tryouts are HERE. 🔥

Two days. Two chances to show us what you’ve got.

📍 Feb 27 | USF Koret | 5:45–7:15pm
📍 March 7 | USF War Memorial | 11am–1pm

$25 fee for new players. Sign up link in bio 🔗

Tag a hooper who needs to be there 👇🏽🏀

Leaders 15U & 16U Tryouts are HERE. 🔥

Two days. Two chances to show us what you’ve got.

📍 Feb 27 | USF Koret | 5:45–7:15pm
📍 March 7 | USF War Memorial | 11am–1pm

$25 fee for new players. Sign up link in bio 🔗

Tag a hooper who needs to be there 👇🏽🏀 ...

37 1

empowermeacademy

Feb 19

Who dropped the best dime?

Who dropped the best dime? ...

34 11

empowermeacademy

Feb 17

Our #teamLEADERS did their thing last night week⚡️ Huge thank you to @usfdonsmbb for having us during the halftime break! We can’t wait for this week at the @chase_center 🏀

Our #teamLEADERS did their thing last night week⚡️ Huge thank you to @usfdonsmbb for having us during the halftime break! We can’t wait for this week at the @chase_center 🏀 ...

79 3

Load More Follow on Instagram

Empower ME Academy

empowermeacademy

2,386 4,178

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

empowermeacademy

Feb 27

We’re #builtDifferent at EMA. We put the culture first and believe everything else will follow. It’s all about playing the right way and for each other. Tap in this weekend as our #teamLEADERS will be at it again ⚡️

We’re #builtDifferent at EMA. We put the culture first and believe everything else will follow. It’s all about playing the right way and for each other. Tap in this weekend as our #teamLEADERS will be at it again ⚡️ ...

30 1

empowermeacademy

Feb 27

We continue to celebrate Black History Month by honoring another trailblazer: Laila Edwards — the first Black woman to compete on the Team USA women’s hockey team and a Gold Medal champion 🏒🥇

Laila didn’t just make history, she raised the bar, opened doors, and showed us what excellence looks like on the biggest stage. Her legacy reminds us that representation matters, moments matter, and breakthroughs begin with someone brave enough to step forward ✊🏾✨

#BlackHistoryMonth #Trailblazer #LailaEdwards

We continue to celebrate Black History Month by honoring another trailblazer: Laila Edwards — the first Black woman to compete on the Team USA women’s hockey team and a Gold Medal champion 🏒🥇

Laila didn’t just make history, she raised the bar, opened doors, and showed us what excellence looks like on the biggest stage. Her legacy reminds us that representation matters, moments matter, and breakthroughs begin with someone brave enough to step forward ✊🏾✨

#BlackHistoryMonth #Trailblazer #LailaEdwards ...

19 2

empowermeacademy

Feb 26

Summer in the bay hits different with #EMA

We’re developing more than a pretty jump shot. Mark your calendars for our off-season summer clinics and become not just a well-rounded player but a better leader.

ℹ️ Feel free to reach out for more info. Registration opens soon!

Summer in the bay hits different with #EMA

We’re developing more than a pretty jump shot. Mark your calendars for our off-season summer clinics and become not just a well-rounded player but a better leader.

ℹ️ Feel free to reach out for more info. Registration opens soon! ...

21 0

empowermeacademy

Feb 25

How it started → How it’s going ⚡️

#HBD Coach Andrew!
Drop some birthday cheer in the comments below! 👇🏽

How it started → How it’s going ⚡️

#HBD Coach Andrew!
Drop some birthday cheer in the comments below! 👇🏽 ...

136 29

empowermeacademy

Feb 20

Leaders 15U & 16U Tryouts are HERE. 🔥

Two days. Two chances to show us what you’ve got.

📍 Feb 27 | USF Koret | 5:45–7:15pm
📍 March 7 | USF War Memorial | 11am–1pm

$25 fee for new players. Sign up link in bio 🔗

Tag a hooper who needs to be there 👇🏽🏀

Leaders 15U & 16U Tryouts are HERE. 🔥

Two days. Two chances to show us what you’ve got.

📍 Feb 27 | USF Koret | 5:45–7:15pm
📍 March 7 | USF War Memorial | 11am–1pm

$25 fee for new players. Sign up link in bio 🔗

Tag a hooper who needs to be there 👇🏽🏀 ...

37 1

empowermeacademy

Feb 19

Who dropped the best dime?

Who dropped the best dime? ...

34 11

empowermeacademy

Feb 17

Our #teamLEADERS did their thing last night week⚡️ Huge thank you to @usfdonsmbb for having us during the halftime break! We can’t wait for this week at the @chase_center 🏀

Our #teamLEADERS did their thing last night week⚡️ Huge thank you to @usfdonsmbb for having us during the halftime break! We can’t wait for this week at the @chase_center 🏀 ...

79 3

empowermeacademy

Feb 14

Do you love the game?

Do you love the game? ...

28 0

empowermeacademy

Feb 12

Our Black History Month celebration kicks off with Bill Russell.

A champion in every sense — not just for the titles, but for the responsibility he carried as a Black athlete and coach. He made space, he made history, and he made it possible for so many who came after him. His impact reaches far beyond the banners.

Today, February 12, 2026 (what would’ve been Bill Russell’s 92nd birthday), @usfdonsmbb tips off the inaugural Bill Russell Impact Classic vs Oregon State at 6:00 PM inside War Memorial Gym at Sobrato Center where our 14U boys team will play during halftime.

This night is bigger than basketball: a portion of proceeds supports the Bill Russell Emergency Relief Fund for USF students and the Bill Russell 6 Foundation, and USF will present a posthumous honorary doctorate to Mrs. Jeannine Russell (his wife).

Plus, later today at 4:45 includes a dedication and ribbon cutting for the newly renamed “The Bill Russell Way” on campus.

Come celebrate the standard: commitment, humility, and lifting others up. (Bill would probably tell us to make the extra pass anyway.)

Tickets + details: Link in bio / USF Athletics @donsathletics

#BlackHistoryMonth #BillRussell #BillRussellImpactClassic #USF #GoDons

Our Black History Month celebration kicks off with Bill Russell.

A champion in every sense — not just for the titles, but for the responsibility he carried as a Black athlete and coach. He made space, he made history, and he made it possible for so many who came after him. His impact reaches far beyond the banners.

Today, February 12, 2026 (what would’ve been Bill Russell’s 92nd birthday), @usfdonsmbb tips off the inaugural Bill Russell Impact Classic vs Oregon State at 6:00 PM inside War Memorial Gym at Sobrato Center where our 14U boys team will play during halftime.

This night is bigger than basketball: a portion of proceeds supports the Bill Russell Emergency Relief Fund for USF students and the Bill Russell 6 Foundation, and USF will present a posthumous honorary doctorate to Mrs. Jeannine Russell (his wife).

Plus, later today at 4:45 includes a dedication and ribbon cutting for the newly renamed “The Bill Russell Way” on campus.

Come celebrate the standard: commitment, humility, and lifting others up. (Bill would probably tell us to make the extra pass anyway.)

Tickets + details: Link in bio / USF Athletics @donsathletics

#BlackHistoryMonth #BillRussell #BillRussellImpactClassic #USF #GoDons ...

25 0

empowermeacademy

Feb 9

For us, the game is about how children feel when they’re in the gym — confident, supported, and excited to play.

That’s the heart of our Love of the Game Clinic happening February 16–20. Sign up with link in bio! 🔗

Tell us what you love about the game below 👇🏽

For us, the game is about how children feel when they’re in the gym — confident, supported, and excited to play.

That’s the heart of our Love of the Game Clinic happening February 16–20. Sign up with link in bio! 🔗

Tell us what you love about the game below 👇🏽 ...

7 1

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SUPPORT YOUR FUTURE LEADERS!

Dreams shouldn’t have a price tag. 30% of our students receive tuition assistance thanks to supporters like you. Every gift fuels access, equity, and future leaders.

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