On behalf of the UO Social Impact Team, Sophia had the honor of speaking to the La Liga Del Barrio Community (Philly’s First Youth Latino Basketball League) of athletes and their families during their 6th Annual Draft Day Event in North Philadelphia. A day where each athlete (ages 6-18 years old) in the league has the spotlight and is drafted to their team for the season by their coaches, like NBA players. Racial Equity means keeping our children of Philadelphia safe, off the streets, and involved in sports programs.

Sophia and UO Community members gathered apparel and shoes for In Kind Donations to sponsor a dressing room that the La Liga athletes could shop. Sophia and fellow URBN Latinx ‘Voces’ Employee Resource Group leaders Maria Fernanda and Xichelle Montes have fostered this ongoing partnership with La Liga through fundraising events, community paint days, and volunteering. A special thank you to Artist and friend Manuela Guillén for creating the beautiful framework for this community mural “El Barrio Born and Raised” that will be hung up in the facility that La Liga is building for their league.