As 2025 comes to a close, we at Athletes Meeting Excellence (AME) are filled with gratitude, pride, and excitement for the journey ahead. This year was nothing short of remarkable, packed with achievements, milestones, and unforgettable moments. From our youth programs to professional athlete breakthroughs, 2025 reminded us why we do what we do: to empower young people through sports, leadership, and education.
Celebrating Our Athletes
We couldn’t be prouder of our athletes who continue to shine at every level. In the NFL, Justin Eboigbe had a breakout season as a full-time starter for the LA Chargers in just his second year, dominating as an interior defensive lineman and helping lead the team to the playoffs. Going into the postseason, Justin recorded 4 sacks on the season, including his first career sack on September 28th against the New York Giants.
Several of our student athletes are currently competing at the NCAA level, from the University of Oregon to Morehouse College. Watching our athletes continue to grow, compete, and lead at the collegiate level has been one of the most rewarding parts of this year.
In the NBA, Anthony Edwards is having another incredible season, building on the success of last year when he took his team deep into the playoffs. He helped lead the Minnesota Timberwolves all the way to the Western Conference Finals, eventually falling to the NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder. Anthony continues to develop his game year after year, showcasing growth, leadership, and a relentless competitive spirit. Off the court, his work through his foundation is equally impressive and commendable, inspiring youth in Atlanta and around the globe.
Week 8 dominance — Justin Eboigbe recorded two sacks vs. the Minnesota Vikings, building toward his 4-sack season in 2025.
Strengthening Our Programs
In the first quarter of the year, we focused on ensuring our programs had the resources needed to sustain year-long impact. Thanks to a strategic equipment grant, our programs were fully equipped to ensure our kids could compete, train, and grow in safe, supportive, and well-resourced environments.
This support played a major role in our Youth Spring Break Basketball Camp, where we served youth in grades 3rd through 8th in partnership with the City of Forest Park Parks and Recreation. Over three days, we hosted more than 60 kids in a camp designed to educate, empower, and inspire. In addition to basketball instruction, participants were introduced to yoga and wellness through sessions led by certified yoga instructor and educator Taylor Duncan of Taught by Taylor, where youth learned coping mechanisms, mindfulness practices, and the importance of mental and physical well-being.
Art and crafts were also incorporated, encouraging creativity and self-expression. Seeing the joy our kids found in creating inspired us as an organization and led to the development of our first coloring book, AME For(e) the Future: Volume 1. The camp was made possible by our corporate sponsors Georgia Power and Big Daves Cheesesteaks who sponsored kids and provided a meal voucher for each camper.
Our Youth Spring Break Basketball Camp brought together over 60 campers for three days of skill-building, mentorship, and fun. Participants learned not only basketball fundamentals but also leadership, teamwork, and health and wellness practices, including yoga and creative activities.
Launching “AME For(e) the Future”
We couldn’t be more proud of our efforts to strengthen communities and uplift families through our AME For the Future initiative. Through this pipeline, AME plans to host fundraising opportunities that directly support our kids and the communities they live in. During our annual Toy Giveaway, we officially launched the AME For(e) the Future Coloring Book — a tool we’re using to raise funds for programs that enhance literacy, creativity, and leadership for our youth.
We also launched the AME For the Future National Virtual Book Club, another key part of this initiative to foster a lifelong love of learning and mentorship. But we’re not stopping there. This is just the beginning. In 2026, we’re planning golf fundraisers, galas, and other events to raise critical funds that will expand opportunities for youth — not only through our sports programs but also through broader community outreach initiatives.
Whether through literacy, education, or athletics, our goal is to create a better world for communities on a national scale, empowering the next generation to lead, learn, and thrive.
To learn more about our vision and upcoming efforts, click here to read our full blog on AME For(e) the Future and how we’re building opportunities for youth and communities.
Our founder pictured with supporters and volunteers as we launched the AME For(e) the Future Coloring Book during our annual Toy Giveaway at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
Expanding Opportunities Beyond Sports
This year, we had the opportunity to partner with Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks, giving our kids the chance to participate in two commercials and promotional campaigns. This exposure introduced our youth to opportunities beyond basketball and provided invaluable experience in front of the camera, helping them build confidence, professionalism, and media awareness.
Big Dave’s also supported our nutrition efforts by providing pre- and post-game meals to youth sports programs across Atlanta, beginning with the Morehouse College Men’s Basketball Team.
Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks partnered with AME to provide post-game meals for the Morehouse College Men’s Basketball Team, helping us support our student-athletes as they kicked off their season.
Fall Spotlight: Career Pathways & Internship Access with Ralph Lauren
This fall, our work extended beyond athletics into career readiness and real-world leadership development. Our Director returned to where AME was founded — Morehouse College, where the organization first began in 2011 as a student-led initiative.
He was joined by his classmate James Jeter — the first Black Creative Director at Ralph Lauren — along with other inspiring leaders from the company.
This experience gave the college students we mentor and serve the opportunity to:
- Learn about highly competitive, paid internship opportunities
- Gain exposure to global corporate leadership
- Explore meaningful career pathways beyond sports
We are grateful to Ralph Lauren for opening doors and helping us prepare young leaders for excellence — not just on the field, but in professional environments and industries across the world.
We look forward to continuing this work and expanding our internship and career pipeline opportunities in 2026.
College students we mentor meeting with Ralph Lauren leadership to learn about paid internship opportunities for Summer 2026.
Good, Better, Best Youth Campaign
In our continued efforts to raise awareness around youth leadership and mentorship, we launched the Good, Better, Best Youth Campaign. Using our Good, Better, Best wristbands as a symbol and conversation starter, the campaign quickly gained momentum. Falcons superstar running back Bijan Robinson, along with other professional athletes, proudly wore the wristbands both on and off the field.
On Giving Tuesday, we sold the wristbands to raise funds for our programs—an effort that was a tremendous success. We look forward to expanding this campaign in 2026 by engaging more athletes, coaches, families, and communities to support youth development and mentorship.
Falcons superstar Bijan Robinson wearing our Good, Better, Best wristband in support of AME’s youth mentorship and leadership campaign — helping inspire the next generation of leaders.
Holiday Giving and Community Impact
This giving season, our AME family had the honor of serving our community through our Thanksgiving Giveback initiative. Together, we distributed food, delivered meals to families, and volunteered in local soup kitchens—meeting people where they were and responding to real needs in real time.
More importantly, this experience empowered our youth to step into leadership roles, sharpening their sense of responsibility, compassion, and service. Watching them lead with empathy and purpose while making a meaningful impact in the lives of others was a powerful reminder of why mentorship matters. We couldn’t be prouder of our youth and all the incredible work they accomplished this season.
Our 4th Annual Toy Giveaway and Holiday Party at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta was also a tremendous success. AME alumni returned to serve alongside volunteers from prominent leadership roles throughout the city to help us bring joy and holiday cheer to children and families. During the event, we officially launched the AME For(e) the Future Coloring Book, gifting copies to children receiving care and their families.
These moments are especially meaningful to us, as we understand that during the holidays many families find themselves in places they never imagined—supporting a child under medical care. Being able to show up with love, encouragement, and joy during that time is at the heart of our mission.
Over 500 toys and games delivered, smiles all around — our end-of-year Toy Giveaway at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta made the holidays brighter for families in need.
Measuring Our Impact
In 2025 alone, AME served hundreds of youth through camps, clinics, leadership initiatives, and community events; supported athletes competing at the middle school, high school, collegiate, professional, and international levels; and expanded programming centered on leadership development, wellness, education, and mentorship.
As our impact continues to grow, so does our responsibility to meet youth where they are and provide pathways to success both on and off the field.
AME youth featured in Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks Father’s Day commercial, gaining valuable on-camera experience and building confidence beyond athletics.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Our college athletes are entering their first years at some of the most prestigious institutions in the country, while others have graduated and begun their professional journeys—whether playing overseas or launching careers across various industries. We are incredibly proud of all they have accomplished.
Ending 2025 with this momentum positions us for an exciting 2026. From upcoming World Cup-related events to expanded national and global programming, we are committed to extending our reach beyond Atlanta and into communities around the world where our impact is needed most.
Thank you to our athletes, families, alumni, partners, volunteers, and supporters for making 2025 unforgettable. As we step into the new year, we invite you to continue this journey with us—by supporting, partnering, and helping us empower the next generation of leaders.
Here’s to a bigger, bolder, and even more impactful 2026.
Take a look at our gallery featuring AME in action throughout the year!
