HR 17: Self Enhancement Inc. (SEI) Bigger Than Basketball Camp; commend

House Resolution 17EX

By: Representatives Adeyina of the 110th, Kendrick of the 95th, Mitchell of the 88th, Beckles of the 96th, Carter of the 93rd, and others

A RESOLUTION

Commending the Self Enhancement Inc. (SEI) Bigger Than Basketball Camp in Atlanta, Georgia; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, Self Enhancement Inc. (SEI), founded in 1981 by community leader Tony Hopson in Portland, Oregon, has served thousands of young people through academic support, mentorship, leadership development, and community engagement programs designed to empower youth to realize their full potential; and

WHEREAS, the SEI Bigger Than Basketball Camp uses the game of basketball as a platform to teach life skills such as discipline, teamwork, decision-making, conflict resolution, and leadership while promoting academic excellence and positive character development; and

WHEREAS, in 2015, Atlanta community leaders Rodney Lumpkins and Crescentia Dixon began working with SEI to bring the Bigger Than Basketball Camp to Georgia, raising funds and building community support in 2016, leading to the first Atlanta camp in the summer of 2017; and

H. R. 17EX

WHEREAS, Crescentia Dixon, an Atlanta resident and SEI Portland alumna, has served as a co-leader of the Atlanta program since its inception, partnering with Rodney Lumpkins to plan, staff, and deliver the camp each year; and

WHEREAS, Self Enhancement Inc. leaders Anthony Deloney, Director of Business Development, and Richard Fortson, Staff Development Manager, have traveled from Portland, Oregon, to Atlanta each summer since 2017 to help train staff, mentor students, and ensure the program's continued excellence and alignment with SEI's national mission; and

WHEREAS, for more than a decade, the SEI Bigger Than Basketball Camp in Atlanta has served 80 to 100 middle school students each summer, providing mentorship, leadership training, educational enrichment, and community support through partnerships such as Nike and the National Basketball Players Association; and

WHEREAS, the program is strengthened not only by adult leadership but also by the commitment of young leaders who have grown alongside the camp, including Mya Lumpkins, Nicholas Lumpkins, Khali Warren, and KhaVae Warren, who have volunteered and served in various capacities since the camp's inception as classroom assistants, on-court leaders, mentors, and coaches; and

WHEREAS, Rodney Lumpkins, an Atlanta and Gwinnett County youth advocate for more than 18 years and advisor to the Snellville Youth Council, and Crescentia Dixon, SEI alumna and community leader, exemplify servant leadership through their continued dedication to mentoring young people and strengthening communities; and H. R. 17EX

WHEREAS, the SEI Bigger Than Basketball Camp represents the spirit of service, mentorship, and opportunity that prepares young Georgians to become responsible citizens and future leaders.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body commend Self Enhancement Inc. and the SEI Bigger Than Basketball Camp in Atlanta, Georgia, for their outstanding contributions to youth development and community leadership and extend best wishes for continued success. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to Self Enhancement Inc., Tony Hopson, Trent Aldridge, Crescentia Dixon, Rodney Lumpkins, Leslie Lumpkins, Anthony Deloney, Richard Fortson, Mya Lumpkins, Nicholas Lumpkins, Khali Warren, KhaVae Warren, and the SEI Bigger Than Basketball Atlanta leadership team. H. R. 17EX