Rakeem was a struggling student who traveled the unfortunate path of not having his biological parents in his life…while moving through the foster care system he faced several challenges on the streets of Detroit. With a passion for boxing he attended the Detroit Boxing Gym. While taking the Believe to Achieve class at the gym in the summer, Rakeem began to believe his life was far from over…he worked hard, read at night, and boxed…By the end of the summer he became a champion while dominating his amateur weight class.

Troy McGee, Athletic Director and Head Basketball Coach for Austin High School in Chicago, IL. addresses AAU girls basketball team during BTA session in the summer of 2014.

Scott Perry, General Manager of the NBA’s New York Knicks addresses

University of Detroit Jesuit High School students at BTA’s “Senior Send-Off” in the spring of 2017.