Supporting Children Through Angel C. Reese Foundation
In the world of professional sports, where athletes often become consumed by their own success and celebrity status, Angel Reese stands as a beacon of hope and inspiration for countless children who dare to dream beyond their circumstances. The establishment of the Angel C. Reese Foundation in August 2023 represents far more than just another charitable organization founded by a successful athlete; it embodies the profound understanding that true greatness is measured not by personal achievements alone, but by one’s ability to lift others up and create lasting positive change in the lives of those who need it most.
Reese’s foundation focuses its mission on supporting children, particularly young girls, in her hometown communities of Baltimore, Maryland, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, recognizing that these are the places where her own journey began and where she witnessed firsthand the challenges that many young people face in pursuing their dreams. The organization’s comprehensive approach encompasses three crucial pillars that work together to create meaningful impact: inspiring and empowering youth through sports participation, providing educational resources and opportunities that can transform academic trajectories, and developing financial literacy programs that equip young people with the knowledge and skills necessary to build secure and prosperous futures.
The foundation’s commitment to education and opportunity became powerfully evident during its launch event at Saint Frances Academy in Baltimore, the very institution where Reese herself received the educational foundation that would later propel her to basketball stardom and academic success. In a deeply personal and emotionally resonant gesture that demonstrated her profound gratitude and understanding of the transformative power of educational support, Reese donated $12,000 to the Joan & Bert Hash Fund, a scholarship program specifically designed to provide basketball scholarships for female students who might otherwise lack the financial resources to pursue their athletic and academic dreams.
This substantial contribution carries particular significance because it represents Reese’s direct acknowledgment of the support she received during her own formative years, when financial assistance made it possible for her to attend Saint Frances Academy and develop both her athletic talents and academic abilities. By establishing this scholarship fund, Reese has created a sustainable pathway for other young women to experience the same life-changing opportunities that she was fortunate enough to receive, effectively paying forward the investment that was made in her own future and ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent talented young athletes from reaching their full potential.
The foundation’s commitment to supporting educational success extends beyond financial contributions to include direct community engagement and hands-on involvement in the lives of the children it serves. In September 2023, the Angel C. Reese Foundation partnered with Mayor Sharon Weston-Broome and the East Baton Rouge Parish public school system to organize a Back-to-School Block Party at McKinley Elementary School, an event that brought together community leaders, educators, and families to celebrate the beginning of a new academic year and demonstrate the collective commitment to supporting student success.
During this inspiring community gathering, Reese and her foundation distributed backpacks filled with essential school supplies to elementary school students, ensuring that these young learners would begin their academic year with the tools and resources necessary for success. The distribution of these carefully curated educational materials represents more than just a generous gift; it symbolizes the foundation’s understanding that removing even small barriers to educational access can have profound and lasting impacts on a child’s academic journey and overall life trajectory.
Perhaps most importantly, Reese’s personal presence at the event and her direct interaction with the children served as a powerful source of inspiration and motivation for young people who may rarely have the opportunity to meet successful role models from their own communities. Her message to the children—that “there are no limits to what you can accomplish”—carries particular weight coming from someone who has overcome challenges and achieved remarkable success while never forgetting her roots or the support she received along the way.
The Angel C. Reese Foundation’s multifaceted approach to supporting children demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the various factors that contribute to long-term success and personal development. By addressing educational needs, providing financial support, creating opportunities for sports participation, and developing financial literacy skills, the foundation recognizes that sustainable change requires comprehensive support that addresses multiple aspects of a young person’s development and prepares them for success in all areas of their lives.
Through her foundation’s work, Angel Reese has established herself not only as a successful athlete but as a thoughtful and committed community leader who understands the responsibility that comes with success and the importance of using one’s platform and resources to create positive change. Her ongoing commitment to supporting the next generation of young people ensures that her impact will extend far beyond her athletic achievements and continue to inspire and empower children for years to come.