Brooklyn organizations New Heights Youth and PISTE Academy were awarded $5,000 each by Gainbridge, Parity and the Women’s Sports Foundation for their role in advancing women and girls through education and sports.
The organizations were selected among 21 others from 13 states and Washington, D.C., according to a press release.
The $5,000 grant is in honor of sports icon and social justice pioneer Billie Jean King, who started WSF 50 years ago with a $5,000 check.
New Heights will use the grant to fund its College Bound Program for Young Women, which combines basketball with educational services for those previously excluded from these opportunities.
PISTE Academy will use the grant to advance its young leaders through fencing, a program led by Olympian fencer and Brooklyn native Nzingha Prescod.
“Our organization exists to elevate and support women competing in all sports,” says Parity CEO Leela Srinivasan. “This remarkable, diverse group of grant recipients came to the table with bold initiatives that will help the next generation of girls and women pursue their athletic dreams in fencing, track and field, motorsports, football and so much more."
