
We prepare underrepresented athletes for executive careers in competitive industries!
We prepare underrepresented athletes for executive careers in competitive industries!
We prepare underrepresented athletes for executive careers in competitive industries!
We prepare underrepresented athletes for executive careers in competitive industries!
Make A Play Foundation (MAP) is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization that prepares underrepresented athletes for executive careers in highly competitive industries.
while only 5% come from underrepresented communities. We have designed a Fall-Forward Plan that prepares our students for future executive careers by leveraging our 5 tenants of Cohort Learning, Curriculum, Competition, Career Coaching, and Community.
of women CEOs played sports at the university level or higher
of C-Suite Executives identify as African-American
Current: Academic & Membership Affairs, NCAA
Education: Stanford University (Football Captain); Villanova Law School
"What I like about MAP is that its staff and affiliates have been in the shoes of the students and student-athletes that take part in this service. These are individuals that have gone through the process of building their own brand, strengthening their resumes, interviewing, and adding value to their workspace."
Garrett Dickerson
NFL Giants; Northwestern University '17, Football
"MAP is much needed! Its talented team gives students a platform to develop their leadership skills on and off the field, and make the next play their best play. Whether you’re looking to play professionally after college, or enter corporate America, MAP trains you to do both. And that speaks to the comprehensiveness of their program.”
Amani Burke
Ohio University '20, Women's Basketball
"I think Make-A-Play is groundbreaking for young people of color and I know so many will appreciate having a program that gives them so much access and connectivity."
Jordan Hill
Harvard University '21, Football
“This is a great program that I felt compelled to share with younger teammates. Everything from the mission of the organization to the team responsible for putting the program together is top-notch. Students that dedicate the time to maximize MAP’s resources won’t regret it! My only qualm is that MAP wasn't around when I was a freshman or sophomore and looking for a program that embraced my strengths but also developed my weaknesses.”
Drea Jackson
Spelman College '14; Brand Management, SoundCloud
"Make-A-Play challenges you to think about the next play early! And it also guides you through the entire process instead of just handing you information like other services."
Chigbo Anunoby
Morehouse College '12; NFL Veteran; Make-A-Play Founding Board Member
"Our team has designed the playbook that we wish we had when we were students and student-athletes—when we were lacing up our cleats, and more importantly, when we were taking them off for good. MAP is for all of those students and student-athletes that don't know where to start. Now they do."
Jasmine Smith
St. John's University '20
“I’ve seen first-hand how difficult it is for student-athletes to balance their busy schedules and still prepare for their future careers. For a lot of them, they simply do not know what opportunities are out there—and I’m so happy that MAP is here to walk them through those critical and often life-defining steps.”
Khari Blasingame
Vanderbilt '18; NFL, Tennessee Titans
"Student-athletes of color face so many obstacles on and off the field. Make-A-Play's team doesn't have to guess about what those obstacles are...because they were once those students. That's what makes what they're doing so special."
Isis Freeman
Vanderbilt University '14; Harvard Law '17
“MAP represents everything that’s good with modern athletics. The sky is the limit for the students in this program!”
Jamil Irvin-Muhammad
Morehouse '15, Football (Captain)
"This is the program I needed when I was in school. From resumes, to cover letters, to people that relate to the player experience...Make-A-Play has it all."
Jazzmin Carr
Auburn University '15; Harvard Law '18
"Make-A-Play doesn't only connect students to generic resources. Its resources are tailored to the experiences and interests of underrepresented students and student-athletes across the country."
Micah Holmes
Morehouse College '20
"Make-A-Play doesn't just hand you resources, it shows you what to do with them. Access is something that so many underrepresented students struggle with, and now they don't have to."
Jordan Watters
Spelman College '15; UGA, MS; Talent Acquisition, Atlanta Braves
A program like Make-A-Play is so critical because it exposes students of color to career opportunities that they likely wouldn't know or be able to access otherwise.
Stephen Fisher
Morehouse College '16; Event Planning, NBA
"MAP is unique in that it allows underrepresented students to showcase the full breadth of their talents while connecting them to other professionals in the same industry with common goals. MAP is a community, not a program."
Amina Yamusah
Princeton University '13; MAP Founding Member
"I'm not only proud of the program we've developed, I'm proud of what Make-A-Play represents. It represents strength. Strength to push through those late nights and early mornings; and strength to know that you're not alone."
LinDon Harris
Columbia University '20, Football
“A team of underrepresented professionals has come together to share their insights and experiences with younger students in common spaces once upon a time. That’s what it’s all about, and that’s what MAP represents. I urge all students to take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"
Martina Ellerbe, Esq.
Ohio State University '14; Ohio State University Law '17
“MAP is simply a great program that was put together by a talented cast of professionals! Everything on the website is super easy to navigate and provides a ton of information, and it is clear that there was a lot of time and energy spent to make this program succeed for a long time.”
Ryan Glover
University of Pennsylvania '21, Football
“MAP is different than other professional development organizations, and if you don’t believe it, look at the team involved in bringing this incredible vision to life. Many programs provide professional development, but few have a team that relates to the students in their program the way that MAP does. This team has been in the same locker rooms and classrooms as the students it serves, and to top it all off, they’ve also been in the boardrooms that its students are trying to enter!”
Taylor McGlashan
High Point University '19, Basketball; Ohio State University Law
“MAP has all the features you look for in a great program. Great content; great presentation; a great team; and a great purpose!
Taheeb Sonekan
University of Pennsylvania '20, Football
“Navigating corporate America can be difficult for student-athletes, particularly ones of color that are likely to be navigating it for the first time. MAP provides you with a comprehensive roadmap to help students get there, and then draws from its team’s personal experience in these spaces to make sure students stay there...or climb up”
Riley Parker
St. John's University '20; Columbia University Graduate School '21
"MAP's team understands student-athletes of color's professional development needs because they've been there themselves. Who better to learn from then people that understand your experiences first-hand."
Grant Bennett
Morehouse College '20, Baseball
"A program for us...by us. MAP is a true game-changer and I'm confident every person that visits the site will see all the reasons why."
Beverly Leon, MBA
Columbia University '14, Soccer; Columbia University Business School '20
"Companies are urgently trying to address gaps in their firms' hiring practices, and MAP is here at the perfect time to help fill that gap and place a spotlight on a talented community that often goes overlooked for anything beyond their athletic achievements. Keep doing this important work!"
Cam Chambers
Michigan State University '19, Football; Michigan State Law '23
“I love MAP and everything that it represents as a program. Underrepresented student-athletes are generally overlooked if they don’t play professionally. Finally, there’s a platform for them…made up by people that look like them.”
Andrae Nelson, Esq.
Morehouse College '13, Basketball; Brooklyn Law '19
“MAP is as dynamic as they come. The MAP team has taken the time to understand the needs of the students it will be serving…and it shows!”
Marvellous Iheukwumere
Columbia University '14, Track & Field; Harvard Law '21
"MAP stands out from the crowd. Its programs have a youthful energy but have been designed by professionals with expertise and experience. Truly innovative.”
Bryce Lewis
Vanderbilt University '18, Football; Vanderbilt University Graduate School '20
“People always tell athletes—particularly ones of color—that they need to create a fall black plan. But how often do they walk athletes through the steps? MAP is the first of its kind in terms of being a program that takes the time to walk students through the steps of professional development. Well done!"
Alex Gamble
University of Rochester '20, Basketball; Teachers College, Columbia University '22
"“MAP represents such a worthy cause and is launching at the perfect time—a time when companies are looking for talented students of color that are ready and willing to compete. Who better than those that compete every day in practice and on Saturdays and Sundays?""