In the eyes of many Black and brown youngsters, only a few sports represent paths for success.
The original members of the first team at Frederick Douglas Academy (FDA) felt very differently. From a deep-rooted desire to branch out, an idea was born.
With that idea came the formation of the first lacrosse team in 2008 with a group of middle schoolers and a teacher at FDA named Simon Cataldo.
Together with these founding student-athletes, Simon would attract the necessary financial support and formalize a program built around academics, enrichment, and athletics.
Harlem Lacrosse would go on to become formally established by Simon in 2011.
“That first Harlem Lacrosse team was a fearless bunch. We were a roster of 11. We were out-skilled and outnumbered but never out-hustled. See, the “H” in Harlem stands for HUSTLE. A mindset of relentless perseverance. A feeling of invincibility.” -Josiah Bramble
Josiah was one of the founding members of the 2008 middle school team at FDA.
He is now a program director at Harlem Lacrosse, where he helps young men grow into good lacrosse players, great students, and amazing people.
Girls’ Turn: Representation Matters
There is something vital about taking up space in a world built for you. After a few years of boys-only programming, the Commodore team put the Harlem Lacrosse girls’ program on the map.
This group led our first geographic expansion to Baltimore and quickly built a culture of excellence on and off the field – culminating in a Baltimore City Championship in 2016.
Since day one, the original 8th-grade team has been trailblazers for Harlem Lacrosse.
Many girls have gone on to excel in their collegiate lacrosse careers at the DI, DII, and DIII levels.
Harlem Lacrosse built a platform for girls as a necessity to our mission.
We believe that a girl’s place is anywhere she chooses, and every girl should be able to see herself and others who look like her in the game of lacrosse and in a college classroom.
“Being a role model for Harlem Lacrosse girls makes me feel like I have accomplished something; them looking up to me makes me proud…” -Dymin Gerow
Join us to celebrate the Power of One and the path that these pioneers blazed for other youth across the country. One promise, one commitment, one shot.
Click here to learn more about our 10th Anniversary Celebration
Harlem Lacrosse, 8 West 126th Street, New York 10027, info@Harlemlacrosse.org
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