Meet LifeHoops.
It is not a program. It is a portal.
A portal into what becomes possible when BIPOC boys are seen, heard, paid attention to, and deeply loved.
With a tested model, LifeHoops is meeting a generation of youth who are ready to heal, lead, and remake the systems around them.
Mission
LifeHoops empowers BIPOC boys and young men to embrace their authentic selves, fostering joy, well-being, resilience, and healing through basketball, community, and mentorship.
Why Basketball Heals What Talk Therapy Can’t
Watch the talk to better understand the philosophy behind LifeHoops’ approach.
A Deeper Look
The Model
LifeHoops is a 12-week, skill-based, trauma-informed, school-based group intervention that integrates therapeutic basketball with evidence-based practices.
It’s designed to promote emotional regulation, healing, joy, identity development, and self-determination for students most impacted by stress, trauma, and exclusion. LifeHoops aligns with existing student support systems and operates within the rhythm of the school calendar.
The two core components are therapeutic circle discussions and basketball as a clinical, embodied intervention.
LifeHoops uses intentional circle discussions to provide a space for BIPOC boys to share their experiences, foster healing, and build resilience. In these circles, participants are encouraged to express their feelings, process challenges, and celebrate their successes. Discussion topics include:
CIRCLE DISCUSSIONS
Joy and well-being: The importance of cultivating joy in everyday life
Healing and resilience: Addressing personal and systemic challenges
Mental and emotional well-being: Tools for self-care and growth
Leadership in the community: How self-care and healing empower us to lead and serve others
BASKETBALL AS HEALING & WELLBEING
In LifeHoops, basketball serves not only as a sport but also as a pathway to well-being, healing, and emotional growth. The physical and mental benefits of basketball are reinforced through:
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Activities designed to emphasize the joy and mental benefits of play, helping participants relieve stress and find balance.
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Exercises that allow BIPOC boys to release emotions, express themselves, and connect with others in a supportive and empowering environment.
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Drills that emphasize cooperation and communication, fostering connections that support mental health and healing.
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Through structured basketball practices, boys develop not only their physical skills but also a sense of accomplishment, which contributes to their overall well-being and self-esteem.
Laird Walker, LMSW
Project Lead
Laird Walker is a licensed social worker and restorative practitioner who has been working in schools in Kalamazoo and the Chicago area over the past decade. Laird is passionate about helping BIPOC boys succeed and thrive.
Over his time in school, he developed the LifeHoops curriculum that pairs circles and basketball to support BIPOC boys. Laird has been refining the idea over the years and has always dreamed of being able to do this work full-time and launch this program.
Advisory Committee
Jacquis Robertson, Community Engagement Manager, Kalamazoo Youth Development Network
Jessica Spybrook, Professor of Educational Research at University of South Carolina
Manuel Bernal, ERAC/CE Facilitator and Organizer
Mark Hill, Educational Consultant and Retired Administrator at Kalamazoo Public Schools
Marlon Day, CEO, The Mandeville Group, Private Equity
Megan Delany, School Culture Coordinator, Morgan Park High School, Chicago Public Schools
Niambi McMillan, Secondary Social Studies Teacher, Loy Norrix High School
Ted Christians, CEO, Amplify Chicago
Fuel the Mission
Donate to LifeHoops and stay tuned for ways to support its growth.
