MICHAEL HERRERA
Art Educator | Community Activist | Curator | Art Dealer
Chapter 4:
Athletic Engagement: Empowering Youth Through Sports, Art, and Wellness
Project Overview
Collaborative Project (2020-2023)
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Collaborators:
• Samuel Jacques - Founder of “I Can Do Better”
• Terron Lemons - Founder of “For the Love of the City”
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Athletic Engagement is a dynamic program combining basketball tournaments with education in nutrition, art, and media, creating a holistic approach to youth empowerment. Spearheaded by Michael Herrera, the project specifically partnered with Samuel Jacques and Terron Lemons, trusted community leaders and Lower East Side natives who have built strong, consistent relationships with youth through their independent programs. The program’s events and training sessions were held at local parks, including the Tompkins Square Park Basketball Court, fostering accessibility and community engagement while creating a positive environment for urban youth.
• Terron Lemons’ “For the Love of the City”: Focused on inspiring youth through sports and personal development.
• Sam Jacques’ “I Can Do Better”: A grassroots initiative addressing community engagement, anti-violence, and voter registration through athletics.
By collaborating with Samuel and Terron, Michael Herrera ensured the program’s success by building on their trusted relationships with youth. This approach allowed the seamless introduction of new concepts like healthy food choices, art integration, and media workshops, making the program engaging and impactful.
Aspects of the Program
​1. Basketball as a Bridge to Wellness and Education:
• Weekly tournaments and training sessions held at Tompkins Square Park Basketball Court brought youth together in a competitive but supportive environment.
• Workshops on nutrition, media journalism, and career exploration were incorporated alongside games.
2. Art and Creativity in Athletics:
• Live Painting Events: Local artists were invited to create live paintings during tournaments.
• Art for MVPs: Unique artworks were gifted to tournament MVPs, merging creativity with athletic achievement.
3. Nutrition and Healthy Food Education:
• Collaborating with Rada Galeb, MPH, RDH, the program introduced hands-on healthy cooking workshops tailored to youth and parents.
• QR codes linked to affordable recipes and grocery lists encouraged accessibility and sustainable habits.
• Surveys and focus groups designed with guidance from Dr. Rositsa Ilieva and Dr. Nick Freudenberg helped track food choices and community impact.
Why Samuel Jacques and Terron Lemons?
The success of this program was rooted in the trusted relationships that Samuel Jacques and Terron Lemons had cultivated with the Lower East Side youth.
Their consistent engagement and leadership created a foundation of trust that allowed new ideas to be embraced, including:
• Healthy Food Introductions: Youth were more open to participating in cooking workshops and trying healthier snacks because of their connection with Samuel and Terron.
• Art Integration: The leadership of Samuel and Terron made the blending of art and athletics both authentic and exciting for participants.
Program Objectives
Athletic Engagement aims to:
1. Inspire youth to adopt healthy lifestyles through fitness and nutrition education.
2. Foster teamwork and leadership skills through athletic collaboration.
3. Provide access to career exploration in fields such as athletics, media journalism, and creative arts.
4. Address community issues like gun violence and promote civic engagement through voter registration initiatives.
Leadership in Action
Michael Herrera’s Role:
• Designed the program and partnered with Samuel Jacques and Terron Lemons to ensure effective youth engagement at Tompkins Square Park and other local spaces.
• Introduced innovative elements like live art events, nutrition workshops, and media sessions to create a multidimensional learning experience.
• Collaborated with Rada Galeb and her mentors to incorporate evidence-based nutrition education tailored to urban communities.
Measuring Success and Sustainability
The program has collected data to evaluate its impact, including:
1. Youth Participation: Tracking workshop and tournament attendance.
2. Behavioral Changes: Assessing shifts in food choices and engagement with creative activities.
3. Community Impact: Leveraging data to secure future funding and partnerships for sustainable growth.
This program exemplifies how collaboration with trusted community leaders like Samuel Jacques and Terron Lemons, combined with accessible spaces like Tompkins Square Park, can create impactful and transformative youth programs. By blending sports, education, and art, Athletic Engagement continues to empower urban youth and inspire healthier, more creative futures.
