Jake A. Kind ’03

Jake Kind's love for basketball continued beyond CHA and college. It fueled his desire to give back, leading him to found a transformative youth basketball camp in Jamaica, all while keeping his day job. This camp, run by his nonprofit organization, Friends of The Philadelphia Men's Basketball League (PMBL), impacts over 1,500 children every summer in Saint Elizabeth Parish.

The story began in 2012 with a simple idea: keep playing basketball and use it for positive change. Each year, Kind and his team travel to Jamaica loaded with supplies for the kids' free, five-day camp. Each year during Alumni Weekend, the school honors the service and outstanding accomplishments of its alumni.

“His story,” said CEL director Ed Glassman ‘03, “is a wonderful intersection of sport, character development, and entrepreneurship.”

Through networking, crowdsourcing, and teamwork, Kind formed a program that continues to grow year after year. The camp welcomes young Jamaicans aged 4 to 20, fostering a love for the sport while nurturing valuable skills beyond the court. The program's success relies on the dedication of its founders and coaches who not only gather donations to fuel the camp's operation but also are on the ground in Jamaica each summer, empowering and inspiring the campers.

This past January, he returned to his alma mater to share his story and passion for service with the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership students.

Young Alumnus Award

This award recognizes the achievements of an alumnus who has graduated within the past 20 years. It honors excellence in a career or service to the community.