EMPOWERPLAY 2026 SUMMER COHORT Successfully Completed, Celebrating Youth, Growth and Community

Toronto, Ontario | August 31, 2026 – Afro-Canadian Development Inc. celebrates the successful completion of its 2026 Summer EmpowerPlay basketball cohort, bringing youth together through sport, mentorship, skill development and community connection.

Afro-Canadian Development Inc. is proud to announce the successful completion of the EmpowerPlay 2026 Summer Cohort, a youth basketball initiative created to provide young participants with a positive environment to learn, participate, build confidence and strengthen their connection to community through sport. Throughout the summer, participants took part in basketball activities that emphasized more than athletic performance. The program created opportunities for youth to develop fundamental basketball skills while also practicing communication, teamwork, discipline, respect, leadership and perseverance. The court became a place where participants could learn from coaches and mentors, encourage one another and experience the value of working toward shared goals. The successful completion of the summer cohort was celebrated with a special gathering that recognized the commitment and participation of the young athletes. Participants received certificates of participation in recognition of the time, effort and energy they brought to the program. The celebration also provided an opportunity for participants, coaches, volunteers and community members to reflect on the experiences and relationships built throughout the summer.

“EmpowerPlay is about much more than basketball. It is about creating a space where young people can challenge themselves, build confidence, learn from one another and understand that their community believes in them. Seeing our participants complete the summer cohort and receive their certificates is a reminder of what can happen when we invest in young people and give them the opportunity to grow.” Emmanuel Animodi, Director, Afro-Canadian Development Inc.

BUILDING MORE THAN BASKETBALL SKILLS

EmpowerPlay is grounded in the belief that sport can be an important pathway for youth development. Basketball provides a natural setting for young people to practice skills that extend beyond the game: listening to instruction, responding to challenges, working with teammates, showing respect to others and remaining committed when progress takes time. For many young participants, a community sports program can also provide a sense of belonging. The summer cohort brought youth together in an environment where they could participate, interact and build relationships with peers while being supported by adults and community leaders. The emphasis on participation and personal development helped create a positive atmosphere where young people could feel encouraged to keep learning and improving.

The program also recognized that every participant develops differently. Some youth may be more experienced on the basketball court, while others are discovering the sport for the first time. By creating space for participation, practice and encouragement, EmpowerPlay helped make the experience about individual growth as well as collective achievement.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT MAKES YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES POSSIBLE

Afro-Canadian Development Inc. extends its sincere appreciation to the Calgary Foundation, including the Daryl K. Seaman Canadian Hockey Fund, for supporting EmpowerPlay 2026. This support contributed to creating a structured youth-focused summer experience where participants could engage in basketball, build relationships and develop confidence in a welcoming community setting.

Community investment is especially meaningful when it reaches young people directly. Support for programs such as EmpowerPlay helps organizations create opportunities for youth to be active, connected and engaged. It also reinforces an important message to participants: their development matters, their effort matters and their community is willing to invest in their future.

CELEBRATING PARTICIPANTS, FAMILIES, COACHES AND VOLUNTEERS

The successful completion of the 2026 Summer Cohort would not have been possible without the young participants who showed up ready to learn and participate. Afro-Canadian Development Inc. recognizes each participant for their commitment, positive attitude and willingness to be part of the program. The organization also recognizes the important role played by families and caregivers. Their support, encouragement and commitment helped young participants take part in the program and made it possible for them to experience the full value of the summer cohort. Special appreciation is also extended to coaches, mentors and volunteers who helped create the program environment. Their time, patience and guidance helped turn basketball sessions into opportunities for learning, confidence-building and positive youth engagement.

A CELEBRATION OF PROGRESS

The cohort’s completion celebration captured the spirit of EmpowerPlay: young people coming together, participating in sport and celebrating one another. Certificate presentations recognized participants for completing the program and provided a tangible reminder of the work they put in during the summer. The celebration was also an opportunity to recognize that progress does not always appear on a scoreboard. Growth can be seen in a young person becoming more comfortable with teammates, trying a new skill, listening to a coach, encouraging another participant or simply continuing to participate when something feels difficult. These moments are central to the purpose of EmpowerPlay.

LOOKING AHEAD

With the successful completion of the 2026 Summer Cohort, Afro-Canadian Development Inc. remains committed to creating opportunities that support youth through sport, mentorship and community engagement. The organization will continue to build on the lessons and experiences of EmpowerPlay as it works toward future youth-focused initiatives.

The goal is straightforward: create spaces where young people can participate, develop their skills, build confidence and recognize their own potential. EmpowerPlay demonstrates how sport can serve as a bridge between physical activity and broader youth development, helping young people build habits and relationships that can remain valuable long after the final basketball session of the summer.

MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

Youth participants, coaches and community members at the EmpowerPlay 2026 Summer Cohort completion celebration.

Afro Canadian Development Inc. remains committed to continuing programs and initiatives that promote diversity, multiculturalism, anti-racism awareness, youth empowerment, cultural preservation, community leadership, and social inclusion through meaningful community engagement and educational opportunities. The organization looks forward to expanding future intercultural initiatives and strengthening partnerships that continue to build stronger, safer, and more connected communities across Canada.