About Us
hoop
history and background
Our Story – How it all started
This is a story of how a passion for the game of basketball, the love for children, dedication and commitment to community and youth development ignited the spark that transformed into the existing, exciting and ambitious African grassroots basketball development organisation now called Hoop Dreams Africa.
Founded by Francis M. Nakoonje, our story originates many years ago in a small town of Monze 250Km South of the Capital City of Zambia and deeply rooted in the concept of sport for development. He’s vision has always been centered on providing Zambian and the African youth with opportunities and possibilities to Dream, Believe and Achieve through teaching and coaching and inspiring the youth to recognize their potential, achieve their ambition and realize their dreams through the game of basketball.
Originally started as (Beyond Sport Integrated) in 2008, the organisation has transformed and grown over the years to serve more than 35,000 children and youth annually who participate in various sports activities integrated with health education and life skills activities through community sports-based youth programs. Growing the organization’s impact however has being shaped by the strong belief that we can build healthier and stronger communities through sports activities by attracting and focusing, building and expanding our footprint of youth basketball on the continent of Africa.
The journey officially began after June of 2010 upon his return from South Africa at the first-ever held FIFA Soccer World Cup in Johannesburg. “At the time of me going to South Africa, I was already involved in various youth basketball activities of teaching and coaching children and youth basketball in my home town of Monze, Southern Province of Zambia”. Francis a Zambian national, who played a lot of basketball in secondary school and also played in a basketball league was born and raised in Lusaka, the Capital City is Africa’s biggest Boston Celtics fan, only moved to Monze in Southern Province after his secondary school and got involved with sports organisations.
“I was first introduced to the game in my 8th Grade at a Boys Boarding School and my admiration for the way the game was played and how they scored made me fell in love with the game. Basketball pretty much kept me out of alot of trouble in my days at school and fun enough my Mom a retired Primary School Teacher encouraged and supported me in sports participation at school. And my memory of watching NBA Games on National TV during holidays exploded my interest and passion for the game instantly”.
Through his many years of ambition, Francis and his team at Hoop Dreams Africa organisation wants to build a basketball ecosystem in Zambia and on the continent that allows children to be introduced to the game at grassroots and be able to receive game fundamentals while developing and promoting talent and providing opportunities and possibilities for those that dream of having a basketball career. We’ll continue to develop and promote what the game of basketball has to offer with a life-long commitment of inspiring, educating and empowering the African youth and by making the game as an effective tool for social development. At Hoop Dreams Africa; Dreaming, Believing and Achieving are part of our mission. From schools and community to the playing fields, we’re committed to building a movement that enriches our team culture, enhances our ability to deliver, and strengthens our impact on the programs. And we are dedicated to continue creating those opportunities for children and youth to dream and have the skills to make their dreams a reality.
We’re inviting you to join our mission and share our vision. Come dream with us and share the African dream.
Organisational Leadership – Advisory Board
Hoop Dreams Africa’s leadership consists of our Management Team as well as multiple Advisory Boards, consisting of International Advisors, Regional Advisors, National Advisors and our Global Dreams Ambassadors all working in tandem to advance the organization’s mission and vision. Our Advisory Board are a group of experienced professional experts drawn from different professions that serves as a powerful asset and are an engine for effective and objective advice, building key relationships, forging strategic collaborations and partnerships and broadening the organization’s support base and all work together to help elevate the organisation’s fundraising potential, broadening our connections, and amplifying our vision through the implementation of our organisation’s Strategic Development Plan.
Francis M. Nakoonje
Founder & Director
The management team is led by Francis M. Nakoonje, who is the head of the organisation. An ambitious, passionate and dedicated personality who has an amazing interest and great passion for the game of basketball and combining his roles and experience as a regional basketball executive, basketball coach, sportsprenuer and his extensive experience in Non-profit management and administration. Francis is a FIBA trained and certified youth basketball coach. He’s also trained in game Basketball Analytics and Statistics and in Sports Management and Administration. As a pioneer, vision carrier and touch bearer himself, Francis is determined to build the next generation of African youth basketball stars through the Hoop Dreams Africa.
Kennedy Mulonda J
Admin & Finance Director
A natural Admin-person, with years of successful experience in Non-Profit Administration and Management, Kennedy brings to the team a big personality and high energy level to match. He has a traceable strong track record of his role. An extremely self-motivated, energetic, tenacious and results-driven, with an unparalleled work ethic. Kennedy has exceptional skills and experience in business administration, finance and accounts and project management.
Nchimunya Mwaanga
Senior Program Officer Basketball Skills Development
A seasoned basketball player and coach, Nchimunya’s passion for the game of basketball is always unmatched. A FIBA Level 2 trained and certified youth basketball technical coach, Nchimunya’s experience in game management and player development has allowed him to further advance in developing the best set of coaching skills tools. Nchimunya has actively been involved in basketball programs at both regional and national levels for over 10 years as a Regional Technical Coordinator and Assistant Coach for the U-18 National Basketball Team.
Lawrence Zulu
Program Officer
An extremely motivated and goal-oriented basketball specialist with solid experience in the player development and basketball skills training. Lawrence brings with him demonstrated ability to both support and manage community and school based programs through the Hoops for Education and possess outstanding communication, education skills and hands-on experience to drive successful basketball programs and teams.
Deborah M. Buumba
Girls Programs Coordinator
Deborah is a Master Coach for our Star Shine Girls Program who provides and manages young girls skills training and is passionate about girls empowerment through basketball and eager to see a positive change in society.
A self-motivated, active and resourceful individual driven by commitment to excellence and passion for impacting young girls with basketball skills, personal development, health education and sexual reproductive information.
Deborah is a dynamic young female sports leader who thrives at an interaction of sport, business and community relations and a rare combination of vision, impact and strategy development. Her mission is dedicated to building and promoting a foundation for young girls and female leaders to actively participate and thrive in sports and be the highest version of themselves in life.
Sommai LeBroń
Global Development Advisor
Sommai LeBroń takes up the role of Global Development Advisor to help promote philanthropic activities, brand development, marketing and strategic partnerships, special projects and grassroot basketball initiatives.
Sommai is a passionate sports philanthropist and a brand strategist dedicated to seeing and supporting the uplifting of youth and community through sports. She brings an over a decade of experience in the field of philanthropy and holds a wealth of sports philanthropic knowledge and special expertise through her business management and leadership experience which will be instrumental in organisational development, partnership engagement and in creating support systems and driving sustainability pathways. Through her experience Hoop Dreams Africa has an opportunity to continue to build momentum in creating impactful opportunities and sustained efforts for the growth of the organisation.
Currently Sommai oversees Impact Sports Philanthropy a company she founded in 2019 which assists athletes of all levels leverage their platforms for social and environmental good.
Board Structure and Composition: The organisations Advisory Board is at three levels namely; National, Regional and International. It is composed of a diverse group of well-informed Professional Executives with the best mix of skills, expertise experience and industry knowledge and exposure in various fields of training in the sectors of sports, health, media and communication, education management and international development and Non-profit management ready to greatly optimise effectiveness and immensely add value to the organization’s sustainable growth and development and enhance the image of the organisation.
international advisory board
Eric Saperstein
Media and Communications Advisor
Eric enjoys an illustrious career in international media and communication with an award-winning television network spanning over 20 years. As a founding member of The Golf Channel, Eric’s professional media concepts, production strategies and management style sparked revenue growth which helped the Network fledged over 100 million fans globally. Eric is the founder and president of a Media company TV Now LLC and works at Full Sail University as the Education Director for the Undergraduate Business Schools. We welcome Eric Saperstein to the International Advisory Board of the Hoop Dreams Africa organisation in-charge of International Media and Communications Management.
Cedric Solice
Global Development Advisor
Cedric brings to the organisation a wealth of expertise, experience and a distinguished career and leadership in Program Management, Administration and Development, Sports Management, Youth Development, Operations Oversight and Talent Management. Cedric’s prized coaching expertise and singular blend of experiences spanning Program Development and Mentorship has been sought after by multiple organisations allowing him to serve as National Public Speaker and Global Consultant across Turkey, Taiwan, Thailand, Brazil, Cuba and Italy. His key competencies among many include; operational excellence, an eye for talent, ability to thoroughly assess skills, establishing cost-saving initiatives and training efforts, coupled with resourcefulness to identify areas of improvement and implement optimization strategies. With Cedric on board we’re looking forward to continue planning, implementing and fueling the growth and development of the organisation and reach greater heights as we also continue to raise and support Africa’s next generation of leaders through the game of basketball.
Andre D. Smith Sr
Scouting & Development Advisor
Andre Smith, comes to Hoop Dreams Africa with over 25 years of Athletic and Administration experience. A native from Indianapolis, Indiana is a former Professional player, Coach, and General Manager of several clubs in Europe and the United States. Smith played his college basketball at Lakeland Community College and went on to play Division 1 at Youngstown State University where he led the team in scoring, steals and assist and was named team MVP. He also served as General Manager and Head Coach of the Mahoning Valley Wildcats a professional team that competed in the International Basketball League across the United States. He then played professional basketball, coached professionally and conducted international youth basketball camps and clinics and has been involved in Basketball Skill Development for U.S and International players and has been scouting for US College and European Players. Smith is currently the Head Women’s Basketball Coach at University of Northwest Ohio.
Denise Kamyuka
Partnerships & Marketing Development Advisor
Denise Kamyuka is an accomplished academic and sport industry professional who is bringing to the Board a wealth of experience, expertise and skills gained in sports management and global health, business development, marketing and social entrepreneurship and research and project management. Denise has served on the junior board of Kids in the Game (a sports youth development organization in New York) and helped establish St. John’s University’s Institute of Interdisciplinary Sport Research, as project manager for the institute. A Ph.D. Candidate in Sports Management and Leadership (with a collaboration in Global Health) at the University of Western Ontario, Canada and has also interned for UNICEF USA’s Sports Partnerships and went on to work as a community liaison, Athlete Representative and Project Manager for Millennium Sports Management Group. She currently serves as the Community Outreach Coordinator with Athletes For Hope in the USA and Canada where she works to educate athletes on athlete philanthropy and connect them to charitable and advocacy opportunities that align with their passion and philanthropic brand. Before embarking on a career path in Sport Management, Denise worked as a regulatory Pharmacist and Marketing Manager for Medswana (Pty) Ltd in Botswana. As part of her portfolio she managed the business development and marketing of Ultimate Sport Nutrition (USN) Botswana.
Mudukula Mukula
Capacity Development Advisor
Mudukula is an international development professional with a wealthy of experience in business and social development, program and research management services. He brings demostrated valuable technical experience in organisational development, management and leadership and has vast experience in donor mapping, tracking and coordination. He currently serves as Business Development Manager at Institute for Health Measurements Southern Africa.
Denis Hvalec
Basketball Development Advisor
Denis leads our efforts in the promotion of grassroot basketball, player and skills development. A visionary and strategist with extensive experience in basketball development, management and operations and has strategic experience and instrumental fostering greater collaboration with like-minded basketball personalities and other development organisations. As an international development leader with over a decede in Sports Tech Industry, Denis has deep networks on the African continent and international level in the sports and development industry.
Denis an experienced and retired professional basketball player whose passion for the game of basketball spans over 22 years in 13 European countries has won 6 Championships and 2 dunk contests in 3 countries shares the vision of developing basketball pathways to the prosperity for the African youth will lead the organisation’s efforts to help elevate the basketball skills development programs that prioritises youth player development and grassroot basketball skills development on the African continent.
Dr. Anthony D’Onofrio
Strategy Growth & Sustainability Advisor
Dr. Anthony D’Onofrio earned an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, Higher Education from Endicott College. He has coached youth and high school sports for over 25 years and has worked in high school athletics, collegiate acdemic administration and professional sports as an Athletic Director and Physical education teacher.
An experienced sports industry executive, teacher and enterprenuer with extensive sales and marketing experience has been able to facilitate connections and manage professionals in the sports industry. Dr. D’Onofrio has presented globally on sports leadership and event planning and has taught internationally in Leysin, Switzerland over 12 different graduate level courses in sports leadership.
Dr D’Onofrio graduated from United States Sports Academy, Daphne, AL with a Master of Science (M.S.) in Sport Management and Salem State University, Salem, MA with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Sport Management, Minor in Coaching and is director of the Graduate Sport Leadership program at Endicott College.
Sommai LeBroń
Global Development Advisor
Sommai LeBroń takes up the role of Global Development Advisor to help promote philanthropic activities, brand development, marketing and strategic partnerships, special projects and grassroot basketball initiatives.
Sommai is a passionate sports philanthropist and a brand strategist dedicated to seeing and supporting the uplifting of youth and community through sports. She brings an over a decade of experience in the field of philanthropy and holds a wealth of sports philanthropic knowledge and special expertise through her business management and leadership experience which will be instrumental in organisational development, partnership engagement and in creating support systems and driving sustainability pathways. Through her experience Hoop Dreams Africa has an opportunity to continue to build momentum in creating impactful opportunities and sustained efforts for the growth of the organisation.
Currently Sommai oversees Impact Sports Philanthropy a company she founded in 2019 which assists athletes of all levels leverage their platforms for social and environmental good.
Brooke L. Gladney
Basketball Development Advisor
Born in Atlanta, a native of Georgia, Brooke was raised in a single-parent household, as the only girl. Her mission is to invest and help build communities and understands the importance of giving individuals the tools of self-confidence, self-worth, vision and purpose and her goal is using sports as a tool, while integrating Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (S.T.E.A.M).
Brooke has extensive experience and expertise in Youth Sports Programs, Community Impact and Engagement, Youth Development and Marketing and Operations having worked with WNBA’s Atlanta Dream, Atlanta Hawks Jr NBA Program and the Y City Sports League of the YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta. She has also served in AmeriCorps as the first sports member for Notre Dame Mission were she transitioned into the Sports Coordinator role for the Y City League, after her service year, the roles which has allowed her to actively engage in all of her passions; sports, community, youth and business.
Brooke curently serves as Manager of Community Impact and Operations for Texas Legends, the NBA G League Affiliates of the Dallas Mavericks.