In 2016, Brooke Thomas started LACE UP Foundation Inc. with just $100. Money from a college refund check and an unshakeable belief that young people deserved more. That first investment turned into $4,000 over a single three-day tournament weekend, proving that when you invest in youth, the community shows up.

What began as a local movement has grown into a statewide catalyst for youth development. Over nearly a decade, LACE UP has provided bookbags, school supplies, scholarships, and resources to young people who need them most, while hosting community events that bring neighborhoods together. The Foundation's reach has extended beyond the youth it directly serves: three small businesses have opened brick-and-mortar locations, fueled by the visibility and momentum LACE UP created.

At the heart of it all is the "Field to Life" model, translating the discipline, resilience, and teamwork learned on the court into the professional excellence demanded by today's tech and business economy. Because for Brooke, and for LACE UP, the game has always been about far more than basketball.