LONG BEACH, CALIF. – Standing at a podium at the Boys and Girls Club of Long Beach’s Westside Clubhouse, Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson discussed the Nike-supported Future of Youth Sport Neighborhood Initiative and highlighted four local grantees joining: the Boys and Girls Clubs of Long Beach, Khmer Girls in Action, 5-Eleven Hoops, and Books and Buckets. Launched by the Play Equity Fund in 2022 in Watts and Boyle Heights, with support from Nike, the initiative continues its aims to expand youth sports access through community partnerships, with a focus on increasing and retaining girls’ participation in sports. This multi-year investment includes not only funding but also learning and capacity-building efforts to develop community solutions and remove participation barriers in Long Beach.
“Bringing the Future of Youth Sport Neighborhood Initiative to Long Beach is about equity, opportunity and giving every young person a fair shot to thrive. Our city is proud of its diversity, strong community partners and tradition of building programs that uplift our youth." said Mayor Rex Richardson. "With support from Nike and the Play Equity Fund, we can break down barriers, expand opportunities for girls and underserved neighborhoods, and create inclusive, sustainable youth sports programs that will benefit families across Long Beach for generations to come.”
“Nike is powering the future of youth sport — with the vision of an active, inclusive world that inspires all youth to play and achieve their greatest potential. We’re proud to continue our support of the Play Equity Fund through the Future of Youth Sport initiative in Long Beach, with youth sport nonprofits that share our commitment increasing sport access for all kids – especially girls, and improving their sport experience by recruiting and training coaches who reflect them,” said Jaime Guzman, Director, Social & Community Impact, Los Angeles, Nike.
Long Beach non-profits receiving grants and participating in the initiative include: • Boys and Girls Club of Long Beach (BGCLB): BGCLB offers daily programming in five core areas: Education & Career Development, Health & Wellness, Leadership & Service, The Arts, and Sports & Recreation. Funding will support The Sports Equity for Girls in Long Beach initiative, a year-round program launched in fall 2025 at three clubhouse sites, serving approximately 600 youth each year.
• Khmer Girls in Action (KGA): KGA works to empower Southeast Asian youth, especially young women, through leadership development, political education, and advocacy for gender, racial, and economic justice. The funds will help strengthen KGA’s Youth Leadership Development Program by enhancing and expanding their wellness and holistic youth development framework. The program includes regular movement-based sessions, such as yoga, mindfulness, and Southeast Asian dance, taught by classically trained Cambodian dancers.
• 5-Eleven Hoops: 5-Eleven Hoops works to create environments where families and youth of all backgrounds, particularly those managing Autism and other intellectual or physical disabilities, can participate together. Funds will be used to help increase the participation of girl-identified youth in existing sports programs, including basketball, football, soccer, track, and baseball. The organization offers its programs to all youth; however, it focuses on serving youth diagnosed with Autism, Down Syndrome, and other intellectual disabilities.
• Books & Buckets: Books & Buckets blends athletics, academics, and advocacy to support youth ages 8 to 24, primarily in Central and West Long Beach, with a strong focus on the Washington Neighborhood. Funding will support the launch of a girl-identified basketball program with gender-specific clinics, leadership development, and wellness workshops to assist 40 female-identifying youth. Books and Buckets will also explore formal coaching certification through USA Basketball.
With 21% of its population under 18 and 61% of children qualifying for free and reduced lunch, the City of Long Beach has a sizable youth population in need of accessible sports opportunities. The city also has a significant gap in girl-specific sports programming, especially in underserved communities. The City’s Office of Youth Development plays a vital role in coordinating youth services across Long Beach, focusing on youth well-being and equity. This support will add needed resources to help address some of the gaps in resources in the community.
“With Nike’s partnership and Mayor Richardson’s leadership, the Play Equity Fund is bringing the power of sport to Long Beach—expanding youth opportunities through coaching, mentorship, and participation,” said Renata Simril, President of the Play Equity Fund. “We are proud to join with these remarkable community organizations whose creativity and commitment will open doors of opportunity for young people. Through sport, we will help them build teamwork, discipline, and resilience—creating pathways that inspire and prepare the next generation to lead.”
About the Nike Future of Youth Sport Initiative In 2022, with support from Nike, the Play Equity Fund launched this initiative in Watts and Boyle Heights. In its first year alone in those communities, the program reached more than 1,000 youth, trained 130 coaches in trauma-informed practices, and awarded $770,000 in grants to local organizations.
