FOUNDER

Amal Z. Yamusah is the Founder and CEO of Make A Play Foundation (MAP) and first conceived of the idea in Spring 2019. 

After spending more than ten years in Sports and Media, he recognized a need in the non-profit sector for an organization that served underrepresented students with athletic backgrounds looking to enter competitive industries. Since then, he has scaled the organization tremendously by implementing an innovative 'Fall Forward' Plan that leverages coaching, curriculum, career training, and cohort learning. Additionally, he has created an online learning platform that develops competencies in problem-solving, management, interpersonal communication, presentation, and leadership and innovation; and introduced cloud software to the platform that auto-reviews and assists students in building the ideal professional profile for competitive industries.

Under his leadership, the Foundation has partnered with top employers in competitive industries, developed strong relationships with Universities and Athletic Departments, and provided a network of services to students in need of access and exposure to professional opportunities. 

A well-rounded sports and entertainment professional, Amal has over ten years of experience working for Rolling Out Magazine, the Pulitzer Center for Crisis Reporting, Vanderbilt's Academic Affairs Office for Student-Athletes, and most recently, Priority Sports & Entertainment as a member of the Coaches, Front Office and Broadcasters' Division. He began his career as a beat reporter for the Atlanta Hawks after graduating from Morehouse College, magna cum laude, where he earned three letters on the varsity football team, and was initiated into Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated and Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society.

Soon after that, he received his Master's Degree from Columbia's Graduate School of Journalism, where he graduated with distinction as a Toni Stabile and Pulitzer Center Scholar, and his Juris Doctor from Vanderbilt Law School where he served as an academic counselor for student-athletes in the undergraduate's Athletic Department. 

Amal has landed coverage for his trailblazing efforts in Law.Com, OnBeingaBlackLawyer.com, and JDJournal.com, the Stanford Daily, and GoCrimson.com. 

Connect with Amal on LinkedIn here!