Our Mission: The Cavs Social Impact Academy empowers the next generation of leaders to become innovative and compassionate changemakers dedicated to building a more just, sustainable, and inclusive community.
Our Vision: Through transformative education, hands-on experience, and community collaboration, we inspire our students to identify pressing social challenges, develop creative solutions, and drive meaningful, lasting impact in Northeast Ohio and beyond.
On Friday, May 1st, 2026, students were honored during a special graduation ceremony at the Cleveland Foundation, celebrating their dedication, growth, and impact throughout the Social Impact Academy experience. During the event, students showcased their capstone projects, highlighting months of hard work, collaboration, and thoughtful planning. Each cohort presented how they intend to use what they’ve learned to make a meaningful difference in their communities.
The celebration included remarks from several community leaders recognizing the outstanding achievements of our junior and senior participants. Building on this momentum, students will bring their capstone projects to life by hosting a Day of Service at Rocket Arena on Tuesday, June 23, putting their ideas into action and continuing their commitment to community impact.
From September through April, participants explored eight core areas of focus.
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The Cleveland Cavaliers Social Impact Academy was officially announced during A Seat at the Table: Voices of Tomorrow, an event hosted at Rocket Arena on August 7th in partnership with the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition. The program honored the legacy of the 1967 Cleveland Summit and celebrated the Social Justice Coalition’s fifth anniversary, bringing together civic and sports leaders to highlight the power of activism and leadership. During this event, the Cavaliers introduced the Social Impact Academy, designed to empower the next generation of change makers.
Civic Engagement Pt. 1
Civic Engagement Pt. 2
Social Justice 101
Community Impact
Emerging Leadership
The Privilege of Community Service
The Power of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
The Impact of Volunteering
Watch the event recap video:
Larry Nance Jr., an ambassador of the program, shared a special message at the event expressing his enthusiasm for the program.
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Partnered With: Cuyahoga County Board of Elections
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Partnered With: The Diversity Center
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about
COHORT
WORKSHOPS
HIGHLIGHTS
about the academy
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
SOCIAL IMPACT ACADEMY
COHORT
ZAIN ABBAS
SAFA BAHDUR
NATHAN CARLSON
JA'ZHIYA FREEMAN
ELIANNA GORMAN
KARTIK GULATI
JOSEPH HADDAD
SANA HAMEED
HEAVEN MALCOLM
JAMES MASON
ASAL MOHAMMDI
NAKSHATRA MOHAN
LIANA OSTROWSKI
REGINALD RUCKER
MATTHEW SPANNAGEL
ESPANDAN TAMANG
DOUGLAS TAYLOR
YUNIELIS VARGAS
CHOLE VIG
MIRICA WOODLEY
Meet the Social Impact Academy Class of 2026:
workshops
highlights
WORKSHOP RECAPS
September Recap
October Recap
November Recap
December Recap
January Recap
February Recap
March Recap
April Recap
The inaugural cohort of the Cleveland Cavaliers Social Impact Academy has successfully completed this nine-month journey in leadership, social justice, and community impact, where local high school students deepen their understanding of equity issues, learn from civic and community leaders, and design capstone projects that address real needs across Northeast Ohio while showcasing their growth, creativity, and commitment to service.