Empower ME Academy

Empower ME Academy offers basketball Development Teams, Clinics, and Courses, along with a variety of skills-based events. Participants can take part in a 3-on-3 Tournament, 3 Point Shootout, Dunk Contest, Skills Challenge, Tournament Clinics, and a Basketball-A-Thon. The program also features a 3-on-3 Tournament with 3 guaranteed games, a 3 Point Shootout focused on making the most 3-point shots in 1 minute, and a lowered hoop dunk contest.

Empower ME Academy has been operating since 2013 and is celebrating 12 years of programming. The organization states that its goal is to change the youth sports narrative by cultivating compassionate leaders and that it teaches essential basketball fundamentals, skills, and concepts along with leadership skills that extend beyond the court. It is a 501c3 non-profit organization and describes itself as the San Francisco Bay Area’s Empower ME Academy, where top-class leadership meets high-level basketball development.

The program highlights that it develops leaders and features an Empower ME Academy | A Leader’s Journey documentary. Empower Fest is part of its offerings, combining food, fun, and music with a range of on- and off-court events and activities. The program notes that 30% of its students receive tuition assistance and that this support is made possible by its community of supporters.

One parent testimonial describes Empower ME Academy as transformational for their daughter compared with her school and AAU basketball experiences, and notes that Jerome and his team teach much more than basketball. The same testimonial is from David Glickman, father of Samantha Glickman (HS Class of 2021). The program also emphasizes its connection to an active community, including proud partners and events where athletes from across the city come together to compete, connect, and participate in something larger than themselves.

Last updated March 19, 2026.