L.O.V.E. Our Youth (LOY) and its founder, Lasheena Williams, MNM, CNP were presented with the NBA Foundation’s (NBAF) 2024 Community Changemaker during the American Express Leadership Academy (AELA) in New York City on Thursday, November 14, 2024. The exclusive honor highlights organizations across America making transformative impacts in their local communities.
Awarded $25,000, the prestigious recognition celebrates the organization’s new career development program, Rise & Thrive and will lend to advancing economic opportunities for underserved youth in Orlando by partnering with Central Florida Agencies that prioritize career development, leadership, and workforce readiness for vulnerable teens.
To date the program has:
- Empowered over 300 students with post-secondary skills that enables them to break the cycle of poverty.
- Achieved a 95% success rate of youth participants graduating the program with an identified career path.
- Ensured 75% of participants gained 21st century skills to successfully enter the workforce. This award celebrates the resilience and brilliance of the youth we serve annually,” says Williams, the organization’s founder.
“Congratulations to L.O.V.E. Our Youth (LOY) on being presented with the NBA Foundation’s 2024 Community Changemaker during the American Express Leadership Academy,” said Ruth Jurgensen, NBA Foundation Executive Director. “LOY’s positive impact in serving youth through their Rise & Thrive program is in line with the NBA Foundation’s mission to creating career development and economic opportunity for Black youth, and we are excited to recognize their outstanding accomplishments.”
With programs like Rise & Thrive, East Orlando Youth Advisory Board, Virtual Career Lounge, and more, the Orlando-based agency strives to empower youth in grades 6th – 12th with the necessary skills, confidence, and resources needed to thrive in today’s world.
“Whether it be through mentorship, career exploration, or leadership workshops, every step our young people take is rooted in the belief that by investing in them today creates a brighter future for them tomorrow,” Williams explains.
“Being named a 2024 Community Changemaker by the NBA Foundation is a profound honor that reflects the strength and potential of the youth we serve. This award reaffirms the importance of creating spaces where young people can dream boldly and develop the skills to achieve those dreams,” Williams went on to share, “We are immensely grateful to the NBA Foundation, Orlando Magic Youth Foundation, American Express, and Common Purpose for this recognition and support, which will enable us to expand our programs and deepen our impact. Together, we are building a legacy of resilience, leadership, and opportunity for the next generation.”
The collaborative support of the NBAF and AELA will help propel LOY forward as it expands programming across Central Florida with a goal to reach 500 youth by 2030, deepening their impact, and continuing to forge new pathways for their youth to achieve their dreams.
“Common Purpose is thrilled to witness the outstanding achievements of L.O.V.E. Our Youth, an exemplar among our American Express Leadership Academy alumni. Their recognition as a NBA Foundation’s 2024 Community Changemaker underscores the profound impact that visionary leadership can have on community transformation” said Delivery Director at Common Purpose, Tina McIntyre, “We are committed to empowering leaders like Lasheena Williams who are dedicated to creating sustainable change in their communities.”
About L.O.V.E. Our Youth
Founded in 2012, L.O.V.E. Our Youth, Inc is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing support to more than 15,000 youth and families across the United States. With a mission to leverage the power of collaboration to uplift and empower youth and their families within our community through mentorship, workshops, and special events. For more information, visit loveouryouth.org.
About NBA Foundation
Created in August 2020, the NBA Foundation is dedicated to creating greater economic opportunity and career advancement for Black youth. The Foundation invests in local and national organizations that promote school-to-career and workforce development opportunities. For more information, visit nbafoundation.com.
About American Express
American Express is a globally integrated payments company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at americanexpress.com and connect with us on facebook.com/americanexpress, instagram.com/americanexpress, linkedin.com/company/american-express, twitter.com/americanexpress, and youtube.com/americanexpress.
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About Common Purpose
Common Purpose is a global non-profit devoted to good leadership. Its mission is to develop people who can cross cultural, social, and institutional boundaries, both at work and in wider society. It does this by delivering compelling, surprising, and powerful leadership programs & workshops. Routed in the real-world. Both in-person and online. Programs where people are having the real, purpose-driven conversations, the types of conversations we need to be having to bring about real change.
Founded in 1989 as a non-profit social enterprise, Common Purpose now runs local programs for leaders in cities across the world and global programmes for leaders from over 100 countries across six continents. Each year, over 5,000 leaders become Common Purpose alumni. Learn more at: https://commonpurpose.org/

Lasheena Williams, Director, L.O.V.E. Our Youth (left)
Kathy Behrens, President, Social Responsibility & Player Programs, NBA (right)
Rise & Thrive In Action (below)