Harnessing Sports & Community Innovation for Student-Athlete Success

Recorded live at the 2025 ASU+GSV Summit in San Diego, this session featured Charles Griggs, Director of Community Initiatives for the City of Jacksonville; MaliVai Washington, Founder of the MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation; and Dana Andrews, Past President and Advocacy Advisory Team Lead at USTA Florida.

The session explored the powerful intersection of sports, education, and community programming as a catalyst for student-athlete success. Panelists discussed how cities and local organizations can collaborate to ensure sports not only cultivate athletic talent but also promote leadership, life skills, and long-term opportunity. Through real-world examples and proven strategies, the conversation emphasized how sports-based initiatives can evolve to meet today’s educational and social challenges—ensuring student-centered, community-driven impact.