Stories & Insights
The Rising MVPs Blog
What Sports Teach About Leadership That the Classroom Can't
The locker room, the huddle, the final seconds of a tied game — these moments forge a kind of character that no textbook can replicate. Here's why athletic experience is one of the most powerful leadership development tools we have.
James Carter, Executive Director
Recent Articles
Latest Stories
How Our Athletes Achieve a 92% College Enrollment Rate
The national average for students from under-resourced communities is 45%. Our athletes beat it by a wide margin — and it comes down to mentorship, preparation, and community.
Priya Nair, Programs Director
7 min read
Why We Treat Community Service Like Practice
We require 40+ hours of community service from every athlete we serve. Not as punishment — as training. Building empathy, humility, and perspective are core athletic skills. Here's how Community Champions works.
DeShawn Williams, Community Director
6 min read
The Mentor Relationship: More Than Sports Advice
Our mentors don't talk about sports. They talk about life. About college. About failing and getting back up. Here's what 180+ mentor pairs have taught us.
DeShawn Williams
4 min read
2025 Annual Report: A Year of Growth
500 athletes. 18,000 service hours. A new partnership with the Chicago Bulls. Read everything that happened in our biggest year yet.
James Carter
3 min read
What Colleges Look for in Student-Athletes (Beyond Athletics)
We interviewed 12 college coaches and admissions officers. Their answers might surprise you — and they reshape how we prepare our athletes for recruiting.
Priya Nair
8 min read
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