Origins
In 2019, Alana Beard played her final game in the WNBA. What followed was her transition into the venture capital space, but more importantly, a return home with purpose.
Alana returned to her hometown of Shreveport, Louisiana, to conduct a listening tour. She engaged directly with community leaders, school principals, and educators to understand the community's true needs and those of its youth. A recurring theme emerged: the importance of mentorship and access to opportunities. Inspired by these insights, Alana founded the 318 Foundation.
The 318 Foundation officially established itself in 2021 with a clear mission: to empower girls in historically underserved communities through mentorship, immersive opportunities, and sports. That foundational year focused on building, planning, and aligning the vision. With the support of board members Steve Miller, Ketsia Colimon, Joe Dumars, Brenda Jimenez Peralta, and Katy Hollister, the organization took shape and set the direction for long-term impact.
2023: The VISION Program Begins
The first program launched by the 318 Foundation was VISION, which serves as the pillar of everything we do.
Through VISION, we provide experiences that go beyond what is typically available to our students in their neighborhoods or schools. Our goal is to develop not only global thinkers, but also doers.
Our students have participated in college tours and visited museums outside of the North Louisiana area. Two years in a row, a group of students had the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C., to participate in the National Youth Leadership Institute, where they learned about leadership and community advocacy while building confidence through real-world experiences.
So far, we have partnered with five local schools to provide a curriculum that helps our Visionaries (Vision program participants) discover their VOICE, cultivate their IDENTITY, define what SUCCESS means to them, embrace INNOVATION, and strive for EXCELLENCE. Through this, they begin to create their own vision. The program allows students to see beyond what they are used to, whether in college, career goals, or personal growth. We also provide sessions on mental health and financial literacy, equipping girls with the tools to explore and achieve greatness in whatever way they define it. Our job is not to define that path for them, but to provide opportunities, access, exposure, and mentorship.
2024: Expanding Through Sports
With the launch of our SPORTS program, we introduced Champions Academy in 2024 with coaches who have played or coached at both the professional and collegiate levels.
However, our academy is not like a traditional sports academy. What we offer is unique. We do not focus solely on athletic performance; we also emphasize leadership and personal development.
Our leader athletes and our student participants work both on and off the court. They engage in classroom VISION sessions covering NIL, social media, financial literacy, mental health, and overall health and wellness.
We teach them that they are much more than athletes. At some point, the game will end, and who they are mentally, physically, and spiritually will matter most. Many athletes feel lost when the game is over. Our goal is to ensure that each of our leader athletes understands they are more than just athletes. They are leaders.
They possess the power to lead, whether in their team, school, family, or personal life. Leadership is not exclusive to one person; it's a skill that anyone can learn and develop over time, much like basketball. We provide the tools that empower them to step confidently into their future.
Champions Academy Louisiana launched in June 2024, featuring a Coaches Clinic led by Edniesha Curry, skill-development sessions led by April Sykes, and functional training led by Violet Alama. Participants received physicals through Humana and engaged in leadership and community-building sessions.
Guest speakers from organizations such as the 777 Foundation and the Women's Sports Foundation enriched the experience through discussions on community engagement, advocacy, and Title IX.
2025: Growth, Expansion, and New Opportunities
In 2025, Champions Academy's growth continued. The second annual Champions Academy in Louisiana expanded its programming to include VISION leadership sessions, a mental health panel, and financial literacy and NIL sessions that also included parents, strengthening the support system around each participant.
Guest speakers included sessions on social media presence with Duke University, a sports media panel with Warner Bros., and a powerful conversation with Brittney Sykes, who shared her WNBA journey.
The introduction of Champions Councils created opportunities for our leader-athletes (SPORTS Program participants) to step into leadership roles within the academy and program.
Later that same year, the 318 Foundation launched its second Champions Academy in Washington, D.C. (in partnership with the Washington Mystics). In the same year, the organization successfully operated two academies in two different cities.
The Washington, D.C. academy included skill development, performance training, VISION leadership sessions, mental health and wellness workshops, and an off-court panel titled "Owning Your Difference." Participants also had the opportunity to engage with the community through activities such as a tour of Howard University and coach development sessions.
In September 2025, the foundation launched its Coaching Development Program, offering monthly sessions and a curriculum designed to support coaches in leadership and athlete development.
The Champions Academy is actively expanding into new sports and locations. Champions Academy is expanding its offerings by introducing flag football in both Louisiana and Washington, D.C. In Louisiana, the basketball academy is entering its third year at a new location in New Orleans. Meanwhile, the academy in Washington, D.C., is continuing to grow as it enters its second year.
A Growing Impact and Hope for the Future
The 318 Foundation has been on a journey marked by growth and impact.
In less than 5 years, we have expanded our VISION program to 5 schools and launched Champions Academies in Louisiana and Washington, D.C. We are also proud to be two-time grant recipients of the NBA Foundation.
As we continue to grow, our mission remains clear. Our goal is to bring essential resources to communities, allowing girls to develop and share their talents in any field or industry anywhere in the world. We aim to create a supportive environment that fosters growth, collaboration, and success not only for our students but also for their communities.
We envision a world where all girls have the audacity to dream without limits, the confidence to pursue life's possibilities, and the resources to realize their full potential. We are nurturing the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and doers by creating pathways for girls to explore their creativity, access mentorship, and build a blueprint for success through sports and leadership development.
Who knows? By 2030, you may see our Vision Academy come to life.
To support our mission and help more girls find their voice, develop their identity, and reach for success, please visit: https://www.318foundation.org/donate
