Tired of locking up teenagers, former police officer Melvin Johnson decided started an organization to help them instead. After a 10-year career as a police officer for the Chicago Housing Authority, Johnson started the Teenage Basketball Association, a n
Tired of locking up teenagers, former police officer Melvin Johnson decided started an organization to help them instead. After a 10-year career as a police officer for the Chicago Housing Authority, Johnson started the Teenage Basketball Association, a non-profit organization on the West Side.
“In 1996 I had a vision that there had to be a way to reach the growing number of troubled youth,” said Johnson, executive director of the Teenage Basketball Association. Basketball was the way I chose to reach them and help keep them from going to jail or getting shot dead on the streets.”
And unlike many extracurricular activities sponsored by non-profits, the TBA assists its youth with college expenses such as tuition and books. “We know that money is a big obstacle for Black kids getting to college and while we cannot pay all their expenses, we try to help out as much as we can,” he added.
“Black kids are gifted athletes but also smart in the classroom, so they deserve every opportunity to go to college just like the white, suburban kids.” TBA alumni Calvin Leonard, 26, remembered when his mother died in 2005 and he didn’t have a suit to wear. Johnson purchased a suit, shirt, tie and shoes for him.
“He looked real good when I got finished with him,” Johnson recalled. “The TBA is very supportive of its players and that’s why I am always recommending the TBA to kids,” Leonard said. “Mr. Johnson even gave me a job when I needed it so there’s more to the TBA than just basketball because you learn life lessons with them.”
So now the TBA funds scholarships from donations and grants it receives each year. “As a 501(c) 3 organization, we’ll always looking for sponsors and donations,” Johnson said. “The CHA and Chicago police have supported us and for that, we’re grateful.”
The TBA is open to young men and women between the ages of 13 and 25 and teaches them development skills such as discipline, sportsmanship and perseverance. And among the requirements to be a part of the TBA is maintaining passing grades in school. “Education is first and foremost. Basketball is second,” added Johnson.
The TBA has two teams, the Knights and the Fire, which compete against Chicago Park District leagues. This also gives the players exposure to college scouts (who often attend the games) looking to recruit players. The TBA offices are located at 1360 N. Sedwick. For more information, call 708-663-8680.
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