Audubon Middle School

Audubon Middle School, in the heart of Los Angeles’s Crenshaw neighborhood, serves a student body that is 97% minority and 89% economically disadvantaged — many facing homelessness or housing instability.

In early 2023, special education teacher Ellis Tatnall launched the school’s first intramural basketball program, turning the game into a dynamic learning tool. Ellis engages students by dividing them into NBA “teams” for activities and even teaching math lessons through basketball.

To support the program, Lace Up donated reversible jerseys so teams could easily differentiate during games, along with basketballs to maximize practice opportunities.

Many students had never played organized sports before. For them, basketball is far more than a game — it’s a way to build confidence, stay motivated in school, and pursue their goals.

Recognizing that many face challenges beyond the court, Lace Up also provided backpacks and water bottles to help meet basic needs for students who often have nowhere safe to go after school.

We partnered with Audubon because we share a mission: to use basketball as a pathway to inspire students to work hard, stay in school, and dream beyond their circumstances.