Senegal · Dakar and beyond
Court, classroom, land and sea.
When the NBA closed its only elite academy in Africa, a door shut for young players across the continent. Black Geo and Black Kids Travel Organization are building the bridge back, for the athlete, the student, the farmer and the guardian of the coast.
The moment
Elite training is moving to a new global academy in Abu Dhabi. For a kid in Kaolack or Ziguinchor, the road to the top now runs through another continent.
In October 2026 the NBA confirmed it closed NBA Academy Africa in Senegal, its only elite training academy on the continent. Since opening in 2018 it trained about 110 young players. Some made it all the way, like Khaman Maluach of South Sudan and Ulrich Chomche of Cameroon.
The league says its commitment to Africa hasn't changed. But reaching the new academy means passports, visas, flights and costs most families can't carry. And the many who never go pro still need a future.
We're not here to replace an academy. We're here to be the bridge.
Black Geo tells the story and opens doors. BKTO moves young people safely and builds the places where they grow.
In Jamestown, Accra, we adopted a school and built a water well for $2,800 that now serves about 3,000 people. It took 10 days from start to finish. Small budget, real impact, documented on camera. That's the model we bring to Senegal.
The galleries
Basketball is the hook. It's what gets kids in the door. Once they're there, we invest in everything else they need to thrive, whether or not they ever play professionally.
Pillar I · Visibility
Film, photography and the scouting reel
Pillar II · The Classroom
English, test prep and recruiting literacy
Pillar III · The Land
Soil, compost and drip irrigation
Pillar IV · The Sea
Tide, plastic and climate
Pillar V · The Space
Court, garden, classroom and shade
Lasting change is led from the inside. We bring funding, tools and storytelling. Our partners in Dakar lead. When a kid cleans a beach with their team, eats food they grew and sees their story on a screen, they start to see themselves as owners of their home. It only works if it's built with the community, not for it.
Partner with us
We have the media team, the travel experience and a track record. We need partners who hold trust on the ground. Every partnership should leave both sides stronger.
| Partner | What they bring | What they get |
|---|---|---|
| Dakar community leaders, coaches and schools | Trust, land, local knowledge and the kids themselves | Funding, programs, media exposure and a hub they control |
| Youth basketball programssuch as SEED Project and Giants of Africa | Coaching, player networks and credibility | Visibility, education support and travel logistics |
| Environmental and farming groups | Agroecology, reforestation and coastal expertise | Youth volunteers and documented impact |
| HBCUs and US universities | Scholarships and academic pathways | Prepared international students and exchange programs |
| Brands and sponsors | Funding, gear and travel support | An authentic story, content rights and a yearly impact report |
| The diaspora | Monthly gifts, mentorship and voice | A real, transparent way to give back home |
Fundraising
Donors fund proof. We start with one pilot people can see, film and visit, then use that story to unlock bigger support. That's how the Jamestown well opened doors.
Estimated starting points. Final costs are set with our partners on the ground in Dakar.
Getting the ball rolling
We start by listening. Everything after that is built on what families, coaches and partners in Dakar tell us they need.
Months 1 to 3
Months 4 to 9
Year 2 and beyond
Give
Jërëjëf for being here.
If you'd like to support these kids, scan the code or tap below to donate to Black Kids Travel Organization. Choose the Africa humanitarianism fund to put your gift toward this work. BKTO is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, so your donation may be tax deductible.
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