Thank you for joining me for the 9th United Journey profile piece. As always, it is a privilege to tell stories about great people who embody the Win-Win-Win mentality!
Who is Malcolm Lemmons?
Malcolm Lemmons is a Washington, DC native and former professional basketball player who has dedicated his life to the phrase, “more than an athlete”.
Malcolm grew up in a single-parent inner city home and often moved around during his childhood. The challenges of growing up instilled a drive and perseverance in Malcolm that is clearly evident throughout his story.
Malcolm graduated from Gonzaga College High School in DC. He then played collegiate basketball for Niagara University and Cal State University San Marcos before traveling overseas to play professional basketball.
During his time in Japan as a professional basketball player, Malcolm was either on the court, in the gym, or in his loft.
His loft is where he found his passion for writing. Those writing sessions became a means of therapy for Malcolm.
After reflecting and allowing others to see his story, Malcolm realized his writing could help other athleteswho needed an outlet.
In 2017, Malcolm published his writing into his first book, Lessons from the Game.
Three years later, after many thoughtful conversations and lessons learned, Malcolm published his second book, Impact Beyond the Game. He later launched his digital media and content company, Athletes Unheard.
Life as a Professional Athlete
“I witnessed struggles and realized how important adversity is in life. I took failures and had a different perspective.” - Malcolm Lemmons
Malcolm’s life and experiences as an athlete absolutely shape how he operates today.
Living in Tokyo forced Malcolm to immerse himself into a diverse and new culture. He referred to Tokyo as “New York on steroids” and mentioned the surreal feeling of walking the Shibuya Crossing (pictured below), or traveling alongside locals and his teammates to games on the Tokyo subway system.
By immersing himself in the culture, Malcolm opened his eyes to the power of people and communities.
What is Athletes Unheard?
Athletes Unheard is a digital media company creating content and commentary at the intersection of athletes and mental wellness.
The mission of Athletes Unheard is to empower athletes and eliminate stigma in the athletic community by amplifying conversations around mental health.
Malcolm watched as athletes had their sense of normalcy removed in 2020. Their heightened level of anxiety and depression resonated with Malcolm and his prior experiences.
He then created something that he really cared about.
Malcolm identified an issue, which is the lack of mental health support in the sports industry, and developed a solution through Athletes Unheard.
Athletes Unheard became the place for problems to be faced and for stories about mental health in sports to be amplified.
The organization is opening the door to “Kick the Stigma”, similar to Jim Irsay and the Indianapolis Colts.
Athletes Unheard is meant to become an all encompassing health and wellness brand.
Building a Brand
Malcolm Lemmons took his life experiences and built a brand that could have an impact from D.C. to Tokyo and everywhere in between. His focus has always been on the community around him.
“I am trying to provide quality content to inspire others. I am nothing without the relationships and conversations people engaged in with me.” - Malcolm Lemmons
Malcolm’s brand development has not gone unnoticed. He was recently voted #7 on LinkedIn’s 2020 Top Voices in Sports alongside names like Pete Carroll, Josh Hart, and Angel McCoughtry.
Malcolm was also recently featured by UNINTERRUPTED in the #SincerlyYours initiative to amplify meaningful stories in sports.
Collaborative Goals
Malcolm’s brand is built on collaboration. His various content strategies allow him to build trust and value in his network.
He is building a community that shares in this mission of creating a safe space for mental health in sports. Malcolm is committed to the growth and development of this community through media and storytelling.
“Athletes can tell great stories, but they can also learn from others.” - Malcolm Lemmons
Right now, Malcolm is living out his collaborative mindset by participating in the #DraftedtoFinancialFreedom initiative. Goalsetter intends to draft 1 million Black and Brown kids to financial freedom by providing them their first savings account with $40 already deposited.
Malcolm and other athlete-influencers like Chris Paul, Sloane Stephens, Malcolm Jenkins, and CJ McCollum are working to teach financial literacy to the next generation of leaders.
Thank you for taking the time to read Malcolm’s story! His strength in the face of adversity resonated with me and I hope his story can inspire you as well!
Thank you Malcolm, for taking part in the series and living out the Win-Win-Win mindset every day!
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