The Cleveland Cavaliers, in partnership with the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition (SJC), unveiled the JUMP Leadership Accelerator (JLA) during the event “A Seat at the Table: Voices of Tomorrow” at Rocket Arena. More than 150 community leaders, sports professionals, and aspiring youth advocates attended the event, held near the historic site of the 1967 Cleveland Summit—an iconic gathering of legendary Black athletes advocating for social justice.
The launch also marked the announcement of the Cleveland Cavaliers Social Impact Academy, a nine-month program designed for high school juniors and seniors in Northeast Ohio, further connecting basketball with civic leadership and social impact.
Introducing the JUMP Leadership Accelerator
The JLA is a collaboration between the SJC, the Justice & Upward Mobility Project (JUMP), and Jobs for the Future. During the 2025-26 NBA season, the first cohort of up to eight young adult advocates, ages 18-25, will gain hands-on experience by splitting time between an NBA franchise and a local advocacy organization. Participants will acquire skills in corporate and grassroots social justice leadership while receiving mentorship from leaders in sports, business, and government, as well as a competitive stipend.
“Doing impact work in the basketball context is always going to be unique,” said James Cadogan, Executive Director of the SJC. “We hope that our first cohort of leaders will see the possibilities and potential across a breadth of industries and experiences.”
Larry Miller, Chairman of the Jordan Brand Advisory Board and founder of JUMP, emphasized the transformative potential for participants. “When I was young, I couldn’t even imagine being in a room with NBA executives. For these young adults to connect with owners, players, and officials—that’s going to be a big deal for them,” Miller said.
Cleveland: Honoring History, Inspiring the Future
The event’s location paid homage to the 1967 Cleveland Summit, where athletes united in support of Muhammad Ali and broader social justice causes. Former NBA executives and leaders, including Cynthia “Cynt” Marshall, the league’s first Black female CEO, reflected on the significance of the site and the ongoing mission to create opportunities for youth advocacy.
Former Cavs player Daniel Gibson, founder of DGib Hoops, also spoke on the importance of connecting professional sports with meaningful community impact. “I come from a community that is desperate to be heard… I’ll be standing right next to them, boots on the ground, as we continue making sure these programs are connected to the people,” said Gibson.
Building Lasting Impact
Both the JLA and the Cavaliers Social Impact Academy aim to cultivate the next generation of changemakers, including youth affected by the justice system, and equip them with skills to pursue careers in business, policy, and social justice.
“My ultimate hope is that each young person who comes through the Accelerator feels a greater sense of agency in their careers,” said Cadogan. Miller added, “Where I see success is folks coming through this program ending up in decision-making roles where they can utilize the skills they’ve learned—that would be the ultimate achievement.”
The JUMP Leadership Accelerator and Cavaliers Social Impact Academy signal a new era of youth empowerment, community advocacy, and social justice leadership rooted in the legacy of basketball activism.