In this episode of the Be The Good Podcast, Christy sits down with Kenny Holdsman, the co-founder and CEO of Philadelphia Youth Basketball (PYB). Kenny shares PYB’s origin story, rooted in the belief that young people, especially those from under-resourced communities, need spaces that support their self determination, academic growth, emotional well-being, and leadership potential.

He explains how PYB leverages the universal, culturally powerful game of basketball as an entry point, opening the door to a full ecosystem of wraparound supports including mentoring, meditation, civic dialogue, financial literacy, and academic assistance. 

Kenny highlights the unique combination of accessible sport, transformative off court programming, and deeply relatable mentors, many of whom come from the same neighborhoods as the young people they serve. He shares powerful real world stories and discusses the challenges of running a large scale nonprofit and offers insight into PYB’s forward-thinking expansion: The Generator, a new career development hub focused on trades, entrepreneurship, STEM/STEAM, and healthcare.

Kenny paints an ambitious vision for PYB’s next two decades, one centered on economic mobility, social capital, and equitable access to meaningful career pathways for youth and young adults ages 18–29. 

PYB's website:

www.phillyyouthbasketball.org 

Time stamps

0:00 - Introduction and welcome

0:44 - Where it all began
0:56 - What Inspired PYB’s Creation
1:57 - Why Basketball & the Gap in Social Impact Sports Programs
3:52 - Using Basketball as a Gateway to Life Skills
5:50 - What Makes PYB’s Model Unique
8:38 - A Powerful Story: Zaire’s Journey
11:29 - Challenges of Running a Nonprofit Youth Sports Organization
13:41 - Philadelphia’s Economic Mobility Crisis
15:30 - The Power of Social Capital & Mentorship
19:27 - Real Examples of Work-Based Learning
23:22 - How to Support PYB: Time, Talent, Treasure & Ties
26:19 - Why Community-Led Support Matters

27:26 - Episode Summary