AKP Sports Foundation’s 2026 Back2School Festival and Invitational Serves More Than 125 Children and Families in Los Angeles
Six church communities joined AKP Sports Foundation for a day of service, sports and community impact benefiting children and families in the Watts and Compton area
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — August 20, 2026 — AKP Sports Foundation successfully hosted its 2026 Back2School Festival and Basketball Invitational on Saturday, August 8, at Nickerson Gardens Recreation Center in Los Angeles, bringing together athletes, churches, volunteers and community partners to serve more than 125 children and families from the Watts and Compton area.
The annual Back2School initiative combined community service with sports, providing local children and families with school supplies, backpacks, youth activities, games and opportunities to connect with athletes, mentors and volunteers ahead of the new academic year.
More than simply distributing supplies, the festival was designed to create an encouraging and welcoming environment where young people could begin the school year knowing their community is invested in their future.
“This year’s Back2School Festival was a tremendous reminder of what can happen when people come together around a shared commitment to serve the next generation,” said John Lee, CEO and President of AKP Sports Foundation. “Serving more than 125 children and families in the Watts and Compton community was incredibly meaningful for our entire AKP family. Every backpack, conversation, activity and moment of encouragement represented people coming together to let these young people know that they are seen, valued and supported.”
Alongside the community festival, AKP hosted its 2026 Back2School Basketball Invitational, bringing together teams representing six church communities from across Southern California for a full day of competition, fellowship and service.
The Invitational demonstrated AKP’s belief that athletics can be used not only to compete, but also to create meaningful community impact. Participating teams supported the Back2School initiative through their involvement in the tournament, helping provide resources and programming for the children and families served through the festival.
The day also included an AKP Cares service component, connecting participating athletes directly to the larger purpose behind the event and reinforcing AKP’s commitment to developing a culture of service through sports.
“What made this event special was seeing athletes, churches, volunteers and community partners all serving toward the same purpose,” Lee said. “Competition brought us together, but service was at the heart of the day. We want our athletes to recognize that sports give us a platform to positively impact people and communities beyond the court.”
Throughout the festival, AKP volunteers engaged children and families through activities, school-supply distribution and personal interaction. The event represented a collective effort by AKP Sports Foundation, participating churches, volunteers, athletes, donors and community partners committed to supporting students as they returned to school.
The 2026 Los Angeles event continues the growth of AKP’s Back2School initiative, which seeks to bring together sports and community service to provide tangible resources and encouragement to children and families.
AKP Sports Foundation extends its gratitude to the six participating church communities, volunteers, athletes, donors, sponsors and community partners whose contributions made this year’s event possible.
“We could not do this alone,” Lee added. “Back2School is a reflection of an entire community choosing to invest in young people. We are deeply grateful to everyone who gave their time, resources and energy to make this day possible, and we look forward to continuing to grow the impact of this initiative in Los Angeles and other communities across the country.”
About AKP Sports Foundation
AKP Sports Foundation is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering youth and strengthening communities through sports, mentorship, and service. Through sports academies, community events, and leadership development programs, AKP uses athletics as a platform to cultivate character, leadership, and opportunity for the next generation.
Media Contact
John Lee, CEO & President- AKP Sports Foundation
Phone: (626) 720-3898
Email: john.lee@akpsports.org
Website: https://www.akpsports.org
