Join Our Mission
Get Involved Today
Our approach goes beyond one-time events by creating community-owned resources designed to remain in place as permanent assets. This long-term model strengthens community resilience while ensuring families have ongoing access to essential support. We also provide a sponsor-safe visibility plan aligned with the I AM DERRICK sports-focused branding standard, implemented with host site approval and dignity-first guidelines to ensure impact, respect, and sustainability.
Together We Can Make A Difference
I AM DERRICK
It’s Bigger Than Basketball.
We’re using basketball as a vehicle to create meaningful, lasting change in schools, students, and communities.
Through DC Elite, we teach young athletes that the game is about more than winning on the court. It’s about understanding the power they have to make a difference beyond it.
Through I Am Derrick, we turn that belief into action by helping create permanent laundry rooms and food pantries in schools and communities — addressing basic needs that can impact a student’s confidence, attendance, ability to learn, and overall well-being.
Because a basketball game lasts a few hours.
But the impact we create can last for generations.
We believe championships should leave more behind than trophies. They should leave behind opportunity, dignity, resources, and hope.
This is our commitment:
Use the game to open doors.
Use our platform to serve.
Use our success to create opportunity.
And leave every community better than we found it.
Championships win trophies. Legacy builds communities.
I Am Derrick.
DC Elite.
It’s Bigger Than Basketball.
COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRIES
The I AM DERRICK Community Food Pantry Initiative, powered by DC Elite 501(c)(3), installs permanent, on-site food pantries within schools and trusted community organizations to help address food insecurity where families already gather. These pantries provide reliable access to essential food items, helping reduce immediate barriers for students and families while supporting healthier routines and stronger school engagement. Each installation is designed as a long-term community asset, ensuring consistent access to food while creating opportunities for organizations, sponsors, and partners to invest in meaningful, measurable community impact.
WHY BECOME A PARTNER
Partnering with us means joining a mission focused on removing the everyday barriers that prevent students and families from fully participating in school and community life. By placing essential resources such as clean clothes, basic necessities, and consistent food support directly within trusted spaces, our initiative helps restore dignity, build confidence, and create more stable household routines. Together, we strengthen wellness, encourage school engagement, and support families where they need it most.
LAUNDRY ROOM INITIATIVE
The I AM DERRICK Laundry Room Initiative brings permanent, on-site laundry facilities to schools and trusted community organizations to address one of the most overlooked dignity gaps affecting students and families. Access to clean clothing plays a vital role in confidence, wellness, and school participation. By installing fully equipped laundry rooms within trusted spaces, this initiative helps remove barriers that can affect attendance, engagement, and daily stability. Each laundry room becomes a lasting community resource while providing opportunities for sponsors and partners to support dignity, access, and long-term community resilience.
WHY BECOME A SPONSOR
Sponsors play a vital role in expanding access to these essential resources while also receiving measurable impact reporting that supports Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. Our program provides transparent reporting on distributions, service utilization, uptime, and supply continuity—allowing sponsors to clearly see the real-world impact of their investment while supporting meaningful community change.