While their on-court achievements captivate fans, Indiana-based athletes like the Fever’s Tamika Catchings, Aliyah Boston and Pacers’ Pascal Siakam make equally impactful strides off the court.
Through scholarships, mentorship programs and community initiatives, these athletes use their platforms to uplift youth, foster education and create lasting opportunities for the next generation.
Retired WNBA legend Tamika Catchings, a 10-time All-Star and four-time Olympic gold medalist, has long prioritized community investment. Her nonprofit, the Catch the Stars Foundation, reported significant milestones in 2024, directly impacting more than 1,500 youth across Central Indiana.
The foundation, in partnership with the Ciara Arts and Science Foundation, awarded $100,000 in scholarships to local high school seniors.
Additionally, 35 finalists received laptops — either MacBooks or PCs — to support their academic pursuits. Recipients included students from Ben Davis High School, Lawrence North High School and William Fremd High School.
“Education opens doors that sports alone cannot,” Catchings said in an earlier interview. Her foundation’s work reflects this philosophy.
Beyond scholarships, the organization distributed 1,000 backpacks filled with school supplies during its annual Back-to-School Celebration. It also promoted literacy through a community book club, distributing over 5,000 books in collaboration with the Indy Learning Team and Tea’s Me Cafe.
Catchings’ commitment to holistic development extends to sports. Her foundation hosted a basketball camp for 120 children ages 7–15, emphasizing fundamental skills, teamwork and resilience. Seasonal initiatives like the Trick or Treat Trail and a holiday party for fourth graders in need further underscored her focus on joy and community connection.
Fever forward Aliyah Boston, the 2023 WNBA Rookie of the Year, is channeling her rising stardom into mentorship.
As part of the WNBA Changemaker Collective’s partnership with VOICEINSPORT (VIS), Boston joins 15 other WNBA players in providing virtual guidance to 100,000 girls nationwide by 2025.
“I’ve seen firsthand how mentorship can keep girls in sport and give them the confidence to chase their dreams,” Boston said.
The initiative, which doubled its reach after a successful first year, includes career-building workshops led by women executives from brands like Nike and Google.
The VIS App, launched in 2025, offers girls access to mentorship sessions, nutrition advice and a leaderboard with prizes. Boston’s involvement aligns with the collective’s mission to “create visibility and opportunities” for young athletes.
During the 2025 WNBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis, Changemaker Day will highlight these efforts, reinforcing the link between sports participation and leadership.
Indiana Pacers forward Siakam has consistently emphasized community engagement.
Since arriving in Indianapolis in 2024, He has supported youth basketball clinics and partnered with local organizations to address educational inequities. His foundation, PS43active in his native Cameroon and North America, focuses on sports access and academic resources — a mission echoing Catchings’ and Boston’s work.
“Sports gave me opportunities I never imagined,” Siakam noted during an event. “Now, it’s about paying that forward.”
Though details of his 2024 initiatives remain undisclosed, his advocacy aligns with broader trends of athletes prioritizing systemic change over symbolic gestures.
The PS43 Foundation has connected with over 5,000 youth and provided hundreds of computers and tablets to those in need.
These athletes’ efforts intersect in Indianapolis, a city increasingly recognized for sports-driven philanthropy. Catchings’ literacy programs dovetail with Boston’s mentorship focus, creating a pipeline from childhood education to career readiness.
Meanwhile, events like the WNBA Changemaker Day and Catch the Stars’ basketball camps highlight the city’s role as a hub for athlete-led impact.
The WNBA Changemaker Collective’s partnership with VIS exemplifies this synergy.
By featuring executives from AT&T, Deloitte and Nike, the Build Your Career in Sport Leadership Series bridges the athletic and professional worlds.
“Sport is more than competition — it’s a foundation for future success,” WNBA Chief Growth Officer Colie Edison said.
While scholarships and participation numbers illustrate scale, the human stories behind these initiatives reveal deeper resonance. A fourth grader receiving new shoes during Catchings’ holiday party, a high school senior securing a laptop or a girl gaining confidence through VIS mentorship — each represents a ripple effect.
As Stef Strack, CEO of VIS, noted: “Keeping girls in sport demands real connections with role models.”
For Boston, Catchings and Siakam, those connections are rooted in authenticity. Whether through distributing backpacks or sharing career advice, their work transcends philanthropy, fostering a legacy of empowerment.
In an era when athlete influence often trends toward controversy, Indianapolis’ sports stars continue rewriting the narrative.
Contact Multi-Media & Senior Sports Reporter Noral Parham at 317-762-7846. Follow him on Facebook @HorsemenSportsMedia. For more athletes and community news, click here.
Noral Parham is the multi-media & senior sports reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder, one of the oldest Black publications in the country. Parham has worked with various leagues to provide a diverse perspective in sports, including the Big Ten, Big East, IHSAA, IndyCar, MLB, NHRA, NFL, NBA, WNBA, WWE and the Olympics. Prior to joining the Recorder, Parham served as the community advocate of the MLK Center in Indianapolis and senior copywriter for an e-commerce and marketing firm in Denver.
