WHO WE ARE:

The F3B team believes that there are three things that can significantly improve a young person’s life.

•  The opportunity to travel abroad.
•  Defining a discipline.
•  Gaining confidence in their communication skills.

So when we created our non-profit, F3B, almost 14 years ago, we kept those three factors at the forefront of our minds. For the last several years, we’ve cultivated a unique scholar athlete program — taking a small selection of the brightest female basketball players from high schools across the North East and giving them to opportunity to travel throughout Africa. Once there, they work, learn and practice their skills with young women in each country.

And our adventures have been a blast. Through F3B, the young women – many of them experiencing traveling abroad for the very first time – have traveled to more than 20 countries throughout Africa; including Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Ethiopia, Morocco, Liberia, Rwanda, Kenya, Botswana and Tanzania. In 2011, we even traveled to Romania and Bulgaria. In the last 14 years, we've met presidents, volunteered at orphanages and have organized more than 560 hours of basketball instruction combined for the African and American teens.

This summer the F3B team is traveling to Malawi, Tanzania and Zanzibar, but we need your help.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?:

So, you want to know how you can help make this experience even better for our teen girls?

This summer, the F3B team is scheduled to travel to Malawi, Tanzania and Zanzibar. From August 1^st- August 17^th, the teens will participate in a series of basketball and leadership development camps, while also exploring the culture and local people — including a visit to the U.S. embassy in Malawi, meeting with Joyce Banda, Malawi’s president, visiting several local orphanages in Tanzania and traveling by boat to Zanzibar. 

But we must raise more money for this year’s trip. Roughly $15,000.00 more.

• The money will be used to subsidize this year's program for the 26 participating girls (six from America and 20 from Africa). Along with significantly subsidizing the program, it will also fund our visit to an orphanage where we will be donating clothing, books, crayons and toys.

Here's where YOU come in.

Through the years, we have had the opportunity to meet some of Africa’s top artists, who have continuously given their full support to our mission. We have also worked with emerging photographers, who have skillfully captured beautiful photographs of our programs abroad.

As part of our donation incentives, these artists have agreed to participate in our fundraiser by donating some of their best pieces at a fraction of their market value. We even have a special collaboration with artist, Frank Morrison, who has designed 30 limited edition F3B totes just for this campaign.

Trust us, we recognize how lucky we are for their support. And for the continuous support from people like you.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

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Profiles on our Participating Artists:

+ Frank Morrison- One need take only a cursory view/examination of Frank's portfolio to find that his power and inspiration are products of his deeply religious grounding and his loving commitment to his family. Notable collections of Morrison’s art are owned by Queen Latifah,  "Earth Wind and Fire" Ralph Johnson,ED Gordan, and Bishop T.D. Jakes. His work has also enhanced the settings of televisions shows and movies "Just Right" , "Malcolm and Eddie", "New York Undercover", "Cosby" ,"The Rookie"  and has been a featured artist on the Home Shopping Network.

+ Ritah Edopu- Ritah Nabuyungo Edopu is perhaps better known for her penchant for bright colour, abstract monumental canvasses. Her interest among others includes discovering the new forms of technology that have embraced the fine arts industry. She specializes in making Paintings, (medium being oil, water, and acrylics), interior Design /Decoration and landscaping.

+ Lilian Nabulime- Lilian Nabulime is one of the few female sculptors in Uganda. She currently works on a combination of wood and sheet metal, producing monumental sculptures. Carving tree stumps has become her trademark. She selects the trunk searching for a motif from the stump. This she eventually teases out with her hammer and chisel, often making elongated, elegant sculptures, mainly women heads.

+ Mercy Moyo- Mercy Moyo has exhibited at the National Gallery of Art, Zimbabwe many times. In addition, her work has been included in shows in the Czech Republic, Finland, South Africa, and the United States. She is the first woman artist to win the National Arts Merit Award for two-dimensional work in Zimbabwe and has received a number of residencies. 

For more information about F3B and how you can help, visit our website at www.f3bscholars.org.