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Shareef Abdur-Rahim

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Keep It 100% – Where Passion Meets Purpose 

Keep It 100% – Where Passion Meets Purpose 

When I look back on starting Future Foundation with my wife, DeeDee, and my sister, Qaadirah, in 2001, our mission remains unchanged. We saw students with remarkable talents who simply needed consistent support and someone who believed in them. 

What began as an after-school program for just 15 students in some of Atlanta’s most underfunded communities has grown into a paradigm-shifting network serving over 500 middle and high school students in the South Fulton community. But the heart of our work remains the same—we set out to build a second family where young people could thrive.

As we approach our Keep It 100% Luncheon, I reflect on the journey and the thousands of students whose lives have been touched along the way. What started as a passionate response to needs we saw in our community has grown into something that transforms lives every day through after-school classes, family support workshops, and corporate mentorships.

Education That Changes Lives

On the basketball court, I learned that success comes from having strong fundamentals and practicing them consistently. The same applies to education. When students have reliable access to mentors, resources, and guidance, they build the foundations that lead to real achievements.

Real Impact, Real Lives

My basketball career taught me that what matters most is mastering the fundamentals day after day. Future Foundation focuses on those fundamentals that create lasting change:

  • Personalized tutoring that addresses what each student actually needs
  • Connecting students with mentors who’ve walked similar paths
  • Making college accessible through practical guidance
  • Building support systems that recognize each student’s unique situation

It’s the deep commitment to creating relationships that last that makes Future Foundation unique. The team understands that meaningful change happens through connection.

Future Foundation helps students succeed by:

  • Creating spaces where young people feel valued and understood
  • Building mentor relationships that often last well beyond high school
  • Breaking down complex challenges like college applications into manageable steps

The proof is in the results: 100% of Future Foundation students graduate high school, compared to 86% of their peers. Each of those graduates represents a young person who’s found their path forward.

Opening Doors to Opportunity

I firmly believe your zip code or family income shouldn’t determine your future. Future Foundation puts this belief into action by guiding students through college applications, introducing them to professional networks, and helping them develop the skills employers actually value.

When community passion meets intentional support, students don’t just succeed—they thrive.

If you feel inclined to:

  • Consider mentoring—even just an hour a week makes a real difference
  • Support organizations like Future Foundation that create these vital connections
  • Share your experience and expertise to help students develop practical skills

Join the Keep It 100% Luncheon!

I’d love for you to experience the impact of this work firsthand at the 2025 Keep It 100% Fundraiser Luncheon on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm at the Delta Flight Museum.

This event brings together donors, community leaders, and the students themselves to show exactly how Future Foundation is changing lives across metro Atlanta.

During the luncheon, Future Foundation will present two meaningful community awards:

  • The Ann Cramer Corporate Leadership in Education Award, honoring Ms. Cramer’s legacy of socially responsible corporate leadership
  • The Jean Childs Young Individual Leadership in Education Award, celebrating Jean Childs Young’s tireless advocacy for education, children, and civil rights

This luncheon provides critical funding that directly supports Future Foundation’s programs throughout the year. It’s a chance to celebrate what metro Atlanta has invested in education and to see the real impact of that investment in students’ lives.

When my family and I started this journey, we believed small, consistent actions would create meaningful change. That philosophy still guides Future Foundation’s work today, and the results speak for themselves.

To learn more or become a sponsor, visit future-foundation.com/keep-it-100.

Filed Under: General, Paying It Forward

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About Shareef
Abdur-Rahim

You might know me as a former NBA athlete. During my 12-year career as a pro athlete, I played for the Vancouver Grizzlies, Atlanta Hawks, Portland Trail Blazers, and Sacramento Kings. I was also a member of the U.S. Olympics Men’s Basketball Team that won gold in 2000.

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