I Am DOPE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and depends on the financial support from businesses and individuals like you!
Empowering Tomorrow's Change Makers
The purpose of Empower U Leadership Academy is to nurture the interests of our youth participants. The Empower U curriculum is developed by an experienced professional in K-12 education to provide participants with tools for success. Topics for our workshops include leadership, financial education, positive mental health, emotional intelligence, and teamwork. Empower Ualso aims to grow our participants network of professional mentors.
Empower U workshops are open to all middle- and high-school aged young people; participation in our sports program is not required. Please register ahead of the scheduled workshop and indicate if special needs accommodations are required.
I Am DOPE with Grant Hill, Hall of Fame NBA player, and Jon Scheyer, Duke Men's Basketball Head Coach
I Am DOPE with Cori Hanky, Senior Manager at FILA
Our featured guest speaker, Louis Thompson, currently serves as Sports Science Coordinator for the Portland Trail Blazers. With over a decade of experience in the NBA, including roles with the Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, and Wake Forest University, Mr. Thompson will share exclusive insights into careers in sports performance, strength & conditioning, and science-backed athlete development.
EMPOWERU YOUTH EMPOWERMENT WORKSHOP
Careers In Sports
Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.
Guest Speaker Mr. Louis Thompson
We will be streaming live on the I Am DOPE and Bull City Bruins Facebook pages and the I am DOPE YouTube channel.
Join us for an exciting, hands-on workshop designed to open the eyes of teens to the wide world of professional opportunities in the sports industry—far beyond the court or field.
✨ Why Should You Attend:
Explore career paths in athletics like sports medicine, training, management, and media
Hear directly from a leading NBA staff professional
Build leadership, communication, and teamwork skills
Engage in team-based activities, open discussions, and Q&A sessions
It’s FREE, and all materials are provided!
This workshop will be offered both in-person and virtually.
Breakfast will be provided.
Please register for the Zoom link to attend our virtual conference room.
EmpowerU offers several options to attend our workshops. You can attend virtually via Zoom or watch Live Streams on our social media pages. Attend in-person at the location provided in the workshop summary.
Join Zoom Meeting:
Meeting ID: 844 4674 9276
Passcode: 480569
I Am DOPE Leadership Academy x
Wall Street Juniors: Financial Literacy Workshop
I Am DOPE Leadership Academy x
Wall Street Juniors: Financial Literacy Workshop
Mr. William McKee, M.Ed., Mediation and Conflict Resolution Certified, Owner of McKee Mediation
Mr. Louis Thompson, CSCS, FMS Asst. Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Detroit Pistons
Ms. Jeanine Holland, Co-Owner & Business Manager of Sophisticated Catering, Inc.
Ms. Garrett Bibbs, Wall Street Juniors Community Outreach Educator.
Mr. Kevin Graves, SWG Consulting LLC.
Professional Athlete Management
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined our Leadership Workshop on conflict resolution! Special gratitude to our exceptional guest speaker, Mr. William McKee, whose insightful talk on navigating conflicts was nothing short of phenomenal. Your wisdom and expertise have undoubtedly ignited a positive impact, empowering our young leaders with essential skills for fostering understanding and harmony. We would also like to thank Mr. Ben Free with Clergy4Cures for his work in making the event a success
If you missed the live event, you can still watch it on our FB and YT channels.
Special thanks to Mr. Louis Thompson for speaking to our group about his journey to the NBA. We especially appreciated his insights on the personal sacrifices he made, the work required to stay at the top of his game, and the differences that set the elite NBA players apart from the rest.
Did you know a gentleman should stand when a lady returns to the diner table? Special thanks to Ms. Jeanine Holland for speaking to our group about the importance of dining etiquette. Ms. Holland reveals how to navigate place settings as the meal progresses, know the type dish to expect by how the table is set, and the proper actions for common situations at the diner table.
Are you sure you can spot a wealthy person when you see one? Don't be so sure! Special thanks to Wall Street Juniors and Mr. Garrett Bibbs, WSJ Community Outreach Educator, for educating our group on the basics of personal finances. Set your personal wealth goals and learn what wealth really is.
Are you an accomplished professional in your field and interested in sharing your knowledge and experience with young people? Join the IAD Leadership Academy Golden Circle and be a guest speaker and help guide our teen participants to their bright futures. Please contact us at admin@iamdopenc.org.