PeacePlayers International

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PeacePlayers International

Building peaceful, thriving communities through sport. Visit our website to learn how! Recipient of 2024 Candid (formerly Guidestar) Platinum Transparency seal.

06/15/2026

We're excited to share our 2025 Impact Report

This year, thousands of young people stepped onto courts in divided communities and chose connection over conflict. They became leaders, bridge-builders, and proof that peace is possible.

Here's what we accomplished together:

🌍 80 youth leaders from South Africa, Northern Ireland, the Middle East, and the U.S. came together at the Friendship Games in Detroit
💻 Launched the Virtual Learning Hub connecting young people across Belfast, Johannesburg, Los Angeles, and Jerusalem
🏀 Opened two new basketball courts in South Africa
🏅 Hosted the second Girls Summit in Los Angeles, empowering young women across our U.S. sites

The numbers tell one story. But behind every statistic is a young person who discovered their voice, challenged stereotypes, and decided their future would look different.

This is their story. And it's proof of what happens when we invest in youth.

Read the full 2025 Impact Report here: https://hubs.ly/Q04lsxj_0

PeacePlayers - Northern Ireland
PeacePlayers South Africa
PeacePlayers United States

05/21/2026

Meet the New City Director of PeacePlayers Baltimore!

We’re proud to introduce Myleana Beads Johnson, a daughter of Baltimore, and a leader deeply committed to its future. With a career rooted in public service, she has supported families in crisis, mediated conflicts to keep communities stable, and led violence prevention and engagement efforts through the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement. She has consistently shown up for Baltimore’s residents. Now, she’s showing up for PeacePlayers’ young people.

Myleana is stepping in to lead the next chapter of PeacePlayers Baltimore, bringing vision, energy, and purpose to an exciting new partnership with Catholic Charities at the Carolyn E. Fugett Intergenerational Center in West Baltimore. Together, we will create safe spaces and opportunities for hundreds of young people to grow through sports, leadership, and connection.

Because for Myleana, this work is personal. She grew up with a basketball in her hands, learning discipline, resilience, and teamwork long before those became professional values. Today, she brings that same mindset to her leadership: seeing potential where others may not and investing in it fully.

We sat down with Myleana for a few rapid-fire questions to get to know the person behind the mission:

Secret Talent: “I’ve done stand-up comedy—opening for comedians like Mike Epps, Cedric the Entertainer, Tracy Morgan, and Bill Bellamy. I’ve also appeared on shows like Katie Couric and ‘Who’s Got Jokes?’ That experience taught me how to read a room, connect with people, and bring the right energy when it’s needed.”

On-Court Inspiration: “Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. Their discipline, mindset, and refusal to settle are things I connect with deeply.”

Words to Live By: “Growth is intentional. Nothing changes unless you’re willing to put in the work to evolve—personally, professionally, and in how you serve others.”

Currently Playing: “Summer Rain” by Carl Thomas

Myleana’s vision is rooted in love for her city: A Baltimore where every young person feels seen, supported, and equipped to thrive.

Welcome to the family, Myleana.

To learn more about Myleana’s vision for the city, check out the link in our bio.

04/28/2026

"I just tried to shut my brain and do it” 🧠

When 14-year-old Omar arrived at the PeacePlayers Friendship Games last summer in Detroit (hosted in partnership with the Detroit Pistons), he was “very shy.” He didn’t know what to expect.

It started with basketball - especially the 3-on-3 tournament - but what stayed with him most was meeting young people his age from around the world.

He really clicked with the team from Northern Ireland. “They had a good sense of humor. And they were pretty nice.”

On the sidelines, the girls from the Middle East taught him Hebrew and Arabic. And then it hit him: “You really are able to see how similar people are, even though we’re in completely different countries.”

Today, he’s still in touch with friends from Northern Ireland, the Middle East, South Africa, and Detroit.

His advice for getting out of your head? “Just be yourself. Go talk to people. Have a great time.” ✨

What’s your best tip for getting out of your comfort zone?

PeacePlayers United States

04/16/2026

“If I didn’t play basketball, I wouldn’t know where I would be right now.” 🏀

Sipheshile ('Sphe') (19) grew up in Umlazi, outside of Durban, and started playing basketball in Grade 5, following his older sister’s lead.

During Sphe's basketball career, women coaches, including his own sister, were a guiding force. Even though in South Africa, basketball coaching is dominated by men, at PeacePlayers, women coaches mentor both boys and girls.

“Being coached by a woman is different,” Sphe says.

Coaches like his sister Olwethu and Thandeka pushed him to think beyond the court and held him accountable in school too: “You can't play a game without your [report card] that shows great progress and that says you’ve passed at school.”

Today, Sphe coaches a girls’ team at Berea Primary School, passing forward what his coaches gave him.

Share with us: who helped shape your path?

03/26/2026

ICYMI 👀 PeacePlayers’ Virtual Learning Hub is live!

We asked ourselves: what are the most essential lessons that truly elevate players, coaches, and educators beyond the game? 💡

The result 👉 PeacePlayers' Virtual Learning Hub, bite-sized, practical modules designed to help you lead with confidence, positivity, and respect—on and off the court.

🌍 The Hub is part of the project “Enhancing Global Connections,” supported by The Stevens Initiative, which is housed at the Aspen Institute.

Ready to level up? Learn more here: https://hubs.la/Q048tbVl0

03/23/2026

25 years of PeacePlayers’ expertise, now available for you! 🥼 📈

Explore our brand-new Virtual Learning Hub - 6 free, bite-sized modules designed to help coaches and athletes lead with confidence.

PeacePlayers' Virtual Learning Hub is part of the project "Enhancing Global Connections," supported by The Stevens Initiative, which is housed at the Aspen Institute.

Check out the hub here:
https://hubs.la/Q047ZZ930

03/11/2026

Our thoughts are with the people of the Middle East, especially our participants, coaches, staff and leadership, who are once again caught up in the throes of war. Now and always, we hope for - and work towards - peace. A peace that is more than just the absence of violence, but also a space for all voices to be heard, and for all people to thrive. And we believe that, by using basketball to bridge divides, develop leaders and change perceptions, we are making strides towards that goal.

Pictured here: Palestinian and Israeli PeacePlayers playing, dancing, laughing, and learning together at an overnight leadership retreat just a little over a month ago.

03/08/2026

Today on International Women’s Day, we celebrate the strength, leadership, and resilience of women and girls everywhere.

At the same time, we recognize that this is a difficult moment for many women around the world who are facing conflict and uncertainty. Their courage reminds us why our work for peace and opportunity matters so deeply.

Through our global girls campaign, When Peace Wins, we’re gathering support for programs that uplift girls and women year-round—creating spaces where they can lead, grow, and build a more peaceful future.

💜 Join us in supporting girls and women around the world. Donate, share, and learn more through the When Peace Wins campaign: https://hubs.la/Q045ZQNV0

02/25/2026

Meet the committee members of the When Peace Wins Global Girls Campaign—leaders across the sports ecosystem who are actively championing opportunities for girls and young women in communities facing the greatest barriers. By bringing their expertise, influence, and dedication to this work, they are helping advance a shared vision: that sport can build peace and create pathways for girls to lead, both on and off the court. Together, they are driving this campaign forward and we couldn’t be more proud to work alongside them.

02/20/2026

We’re proud to officially launch When Peace Wins - our global girls campaign dedicated to uplifting the phenomenal girls and women leading at PeacePlayers worldwide. 🏀✨

Our mission for the next 3 years is clear:

1️⃣ Increase access to sports for girls in communities with the greatest barriers.

2️⃣ Raise $500K annually to expand programming and support for girls in our global sites.

At NBA All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles, we brought together WNBA players, coaches, and young leaders to celebrate the girls and women leading across divides. The gathering made clear what we already know - when you invest in girls, you’re investing in leaders who will strengthen entire communities.

For over two decades, PeacePlayers has used the power of sport to bridge divides and develop leaders. Now, through When Peace Wins, we’re scaling that impact specifically for girls 🌍

Globally, girls drop out of sports at twice the rate of boys, and 130 million girls drop out of school. We know that when a girl stays in the game, she stays in the lead.

When Peace Wins is our long-term commitment to breaking barriers and building the strongest network of female leaders through sport 🤝

This is just the beginning. Join us in building a future where every girl has the confidence and support to lead.

To support PeacePlayers girl and women athletes, go to: https://hubs.la/Q043_fLs0

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+12024085111

Website

http://www.peaceplayers.org/

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