People described Ke’sean, a 13-year-old boy from Baltimore, as quiet and shy. But also, someone who feels deeply, and has a deep well for compassion, which was evident when he insisted that his mother welcome into their home Ke’sean’s 12-year-old classmate who had been kicked out of his home without anywhere to go. 

“He will be a leader. But it’s just about giving him the push,” remarks William Howard, a Get In the Game facilitator at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Baltimore. “He just needs to see it’s possible.”

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Baltimore, a partner of the Get In the Game program since 2021, was a safe haven for Ke’sean. It was also right next door to an apartment complex where many different families lived. He began to notice things in his community that bothered him, that seemed unfair—like how residents in the complex had dirty clothes that they wore over and over. 

Get In the Game works to inspire young people to discuss many issues around kindness, empathy, dignity, and diversity. The program’s student-centered discussions encourage youth like Ke'sean to talk about what it means to walk in other peoples’ shoes and reflect on how to positively help others. 

Ke’sean, thinking about those he would see in the apartment complex wearing the same clothes, realized how a lack of clothing can make people feel insecure, and can even make people, especially young people, victims of bullying and discrimination. He wanted to prevent that. So, for his end-of-season project (his KEDD Talk as we call them), he presented an idea to his class to start a clothing drive for the families in the apartment complex. 

“I just want to help my community,” said Ke’sean. “Some people around here don’t have jobs or just can’t buy clothes, so I wanted to help people get clothes.”

Encouraged by his facilitator and his peers, Ke’sean led the charge in putting together a community clothing drive day. Leading up to the event, his friends, their families, members of the community, and other non-profits dropped off clothes, shoes, and self-care items. With 20 bags completely full, the outpouring was more than he expected. 

“You have no idea how much of a blessing this is.” “Thank you.” “I can save money and not worry about buying kids’ clothes for a little while now,” expressed the neighbors as they came by, smiling and thankful, taking away the gifts gathered. Ke’sean looked around and he saw families happily holding clothes up to their children. He saw kids showing donated sneakers off to their friends. He saw people cooking out and laughing. He saw a community that had come together to all spread kindness and help one another. And then he saw his family standing there, watching him, proudly.

“It was good to see people with a smile on their face,” Ke’sean recalled. “And it felt good [to see my family watching me]; it felt like I could do more than I thought I could. I learned, ‘be confident in yourself.’“

Ke’sean's story demonstrates what an impact someone can have when they pay attention to the people around them, and ask “how can I help?” and then be bold enough to choose to act in an empathetic, kind way. One thing is for certain. That day, as Ke’sean was working to transform his community, he was going through a transformation of his own. To bring his vision to life, he had to overcome personal doubts and conquer fears, but with that act, as he saw the smiles and felt the gratitude from his community, he stepped out of his shell, and emerged a true gamechanger.

Getting in the Game starts with understanding yourself. The Get In the Game team has put together an activity that will help you hone in on what matters to you as an individual. If Ke’sean’s story inspired you, click on the button below to get started on your own journey to becoming a GameChanger! If you would rather bring our full programming to your community, please contact info@getinthegame.org