Ladies First Akron

06/13/2026

Charitable 3 on 3 tournament honoring the legacy of Shaylah Jones!! Free Skills Clinic before the 3 on 3

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZh8yPHCcm7/?igsh=MTRtZnViOGZ6c3ppMw==

06/13/2026

In order to carry on the legacy of the “Legend” Shaylah Jones. We will be expanding our youth mental health clinic and adding a 3 on 3 tournament with a boys and girls division. We will still have our Free Camp/Skills Clinic before the 3 on 3, open to the first 35 boys and girls who register grades 3-5. Saturday Aug 1st at Ed Davis Community Center.

More info coming soon!!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZh8yPHCcm7/?igsh=MTRtZnViOGZ6c3ppMw==

05/11/2026

Congratulations to our 6th grade group for finishing their spring with a victory. They’ve all improved on AND off the court that’s the reason we do it. Till next time✌🏿 📚🏀❤️🖤❤️🖤

05/08/2026

The Success rate of our program continues to set the standard. Major shoutout and congratulations to Lanae Riley for being pinned at the The University of Akron college of Nursing ceremony yesterday! Sports bring us together but it’s the lessons in between that define our greatness!! 🖤❤️

04/08/2026

Our Director of Programs and Innovation wanted our younger girls to talk to current and former athletes so she created an event. The Life After Sports Summit was a MAJOR success!! Thank you to all of our sponsors and supporters.

04/02/2026

Basic Fundamentals

04/02/2026

Never abandon the basic fundamentals they transfer to all areas of life. Week 1 of our project based learning experience. The girls are active researchers working in teams, creating their own definitions and learning WITH each other and the instructors. Our founder Kenny Jo-Jo Smith is a certified teacher and leads this process with Kent State University and students from the college of Education.

We will be seeking community partners for interviews and participation very soon!!

📚🏀

04/01/2026

Year 13 of our Kent State Spring partnership with the College of Education began yesterday. It’s fun letting the girls become teachers because of the skills they learn.

03/25/2026

Major Shoutout and congratulations to the Ladies First Akron 4th grade team for advancing to the championship game of the City of Akron, Ohio - Mayor's Office youth basketball league. The game will be played at 6:15pm tomorrow. Please come support these girls against the boys!!

The girls are coached by 2 Ladies First Alums Jada Haines and Terynn Williams.



🖤❤️

03/24/2026

We are extremely grateful to have people begin to recognize what has been taking place for the last 16 years. We have so many alumni that are giving back to the future generations. Spectrum News did this amazing video and article. 2026 is our sweet 16 celebration year. Please connect with us as we have even more greatness planned.

After a successful high school and college basketball playing career, Jada Haines is giving back to the organization that helped give her a start.