We are halfway there. Only $60,000 needed to begin building our own community high school-size outdoor basketball court in north St. Louis. Who will step up and make the slam dunk? This program is sponsored by the non-profit 501c3 organization, the African People’s Education and Defense Fund. Contributions are tax-deductible.

Fund the Community Basketball Court!

Other payment options: 

Make checks payable to “APEDF” and send to:
Black Power Blueprint – Make the Slam Dunk
4101 W. Florissant Ave, St. Louis, MO 63115

For electronic transfer of funds, or to schedule a site visit:
info@blackpowerblueprint.org or (314) 380-8016

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The Benefits of Having an Outdoor High School Basketball Court

• Develops critical thinking skills for our youth and adults
• It’s a personal gym workout space to improve physical health while also having fun in a safe and comfortable environment
• Strengthens relationships inside and outside of the community
• Improves and fosters communication skills in the minds of our youth
• Lowers stress, helps to boost mood, promotes relaxation, alleviates depression, boosts self-esteem, and enhances work performance
• Kids love sports and basketball is an investment that provides a safe environment for families in the community
• Basketball creates lifelong memories that children will remember forever and this is something you cannot put a price on!
• Learning the skills of basketball will help kids make quick decisions and develop fast reflexes.
• Potential basketball scholarships to college
• Basketball helps develop critical thinking skills. Players start using these skills even outside the court.
• Those who play together, stick together. One of the best things about basketball is that you play in teams. You can play one-on-one with a friend and you will still be able to improve your relationships!
• Research shows that those who play basketball together as a team develop better social skills and are more self-confident.
• Not only do you develop as an individual, you also improve your leadership skills, empathy level and self-awareness.

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Open Letter from Ona Zené Yeshitela, President of APEDF

The kids you see in this video are not actors.…

Jay’Bion, Zay, Kalia, Jada, Caydon and Parris are from the Northside of St. Louis. Much like in any city, they are faced with a neighborhood drained of resources, with closing schools, crumbling housing, no recreation and no grocery stores. 

My name is Ona Zené. I’m the President of the African People’s Education and Defense Fund (APEDF), a non-profit that has been fighting for change in our communities since 1994.  I am asking you to be part of changing the conditions faced by the black community in north St. Louis by funding the completion of a community basketball court. 

We only need $60,000 more toward the $120,000 needed for the contractor Sport Court to build it — they can start mid-August and be done by October for a grand opening that you can be part of!  

Only one in four St. Louis parks have a basketball court. In fact, the city of St Louis removed courts in four parks in predominantly white communities, reinforcing the city’s racial divide.

We are working hard to bring economic power to this community. A simple thing like a basketball court will help transform the lives of these kids in the neighborhood. 

Thanking you in advance.