collaborations between families, youth, community and local advocates.

Building Bridges

Creating strong and closely coordinated partnerships and

Youth Action League

Bull City B.E.S.T. Youth Action League stepped up to bring the excitement of basketball to Durham’s young athletes! When a few DPS elementary schools needed a place to play, we made it happen—at no cost to families. This free league gave 3rd-5th grade students the chance to compete, represent their schools, and showcase their skills. With Saturday morning games at 10 & 11 AM, teams practiced on their own schedules and hit the court ready to play. It was a season of passion, teamwork, and pure love for the sport!

Mental Toughness & Performance Coaching

Bull City B.E.S.T. is dedicated to the mental health and well-being of our entire organization. We are now offering mental toughness and preparation, with our newest BEST family member, Mr. Sam Weissler! Sam will lead "B.E.S.T. Performance Coaching" one Friday each month for one hour. These sessions are built for students who struggle with confidence, control, commitment or challenges in the classroom, outside world and or as student athletes.
Sam will host a variety of coaching based on students needs.

Our first workshop was designed for middle and high school athletes who are interested in the mental side of athletic performance, and is covering a variety of topics, including but not limited to, mindfulness in sports, value identification, goal setting & attainment, emotional awareness & regulation during competition, imagery/visualization, and more.

Sam Weissler is the founder, owner, and therapist of Equipt Counseling Services, PLLC. Sam served as a school counselor in Durham Public Schools for five years before transitioning to athletics and private practice. Equipt’s services include mental health therapy, mental performance coaching, and group classes and workshops.

https://www.equiptcounseling.com

CourtCares

The objective of CourtCares is for middle school students to visit the federal courthouse to learn more about the federal court system, to be introduced to various jobs in the court system, to be encouraged to stay on the right side of the law, and to be exposed to lifelong strategies for leading successful & healthy lives. Federal Judge Webster created this program in April 2013 to continue his outreach to encourage Durham youth to persevere through life’s challenges and make healthy, positive choices.

Our athletes were jurors in a brief mock criminal trial, toured the judicial chamber & lock-up facility, and heard from Steve Mcrae Sr. (founder of the All-Nets Foundation & All-Nets Basketball Association) who helped to reinforce Judge Webster’s message of encouragement.

Mentoring

Our middle school athletes pair up quarterly with local schools and do small group

and 1-on-1 mentoring with elementary students.

Men of Valor and the Lakewood Bulldogs basketball team

BEST Summer League

BEST Basketball Summer League is a free league for middle school students who did not start or make their middle school team, as well as those who are gearing up to play for their middle school team next season. To qualify for our B.E.S.T. Summer Basketball League athletes must be Durham residents and must be in good academic standing. Our coaching staff consists of an experienced student-athlete who has started for a local middle school as the head coach along with an adult coach who will serve as the assistant coach and mentor. This gives students a chance to see the other side of the player and coach relationships, as well as the game in general. It also opens the window to other career opportunities outside of being a player.

In lieu of entry fee, Bull City B.E.S.T. collected goods based on the needs of local organizations that BCB is in partnership with.

Week 1- School Supplies

Week 2- Socks and Blankets for the unhoused-102 pair of socks collected & 4 blankets

Week 3- Non-perishable foods

Week 4- Gently used sneakers-41 pair collected

Week 5- School supplies