Since coming to Oakland 16 years ago, the Curry household has established a mission. They wanted to transform the community.  However, during the pandemic, when they noticed children losing access to valuable education, they set their sights on a firm goal. They wanted every student in Oakland to have equal opportunities. Hence, came the birth of Eat. Learn. Play, an organization that has pushed closer to its goals.

Since 2019, Ayesha and Stephen Curry have made huge strides in nurturing young kids through these three essential pillars. Their impact was even recognized as they were named to the TIME100 Philanthropy list. And at the inaugural dinner, Ayesha spoke with pride about their efforts to reinvent the community for the youth of Oakland.

“We are committed to improving the school experience for a generation of students. Since launching in 2019, Eat. Learn. Play has invested nearly  $100 million in Oakland’s children, and we’re just getting started. That includes literacy programs, tutoring, meals, safe places to play and a commitment to make sure that every child has a real shot at a bright future. This is a long game, a life long game, and we’re committed to being in it with our partners, our city and our community every step of the way,” she said in her speech.

Through the program, Ayesha and Stephen Curry have transformed thousands of lives.

From arranging meet-ups to including a special children’s marathon at the Oakland Marathon, the NBA’s power couple is determined in their mission. “The entrepreneurial spirit that continues to guide us is simple, yet powerful. Listen deeply and act,” Ayesha Curry added.

The chosen cause is one that is very personal to them. With four children, both Ayesha and Stephen Curry take their disposition as role models and difference makers very seriously. This isn’t just a movement to build on their numerous philanthropic initiatives in Oakland. It is most important to ensure no child gets left behind.

“Of course, the work is far from finished, but I’ve never been more hopeful about what’s ahead,” Ayesha concluded in her speech. And the Curry clan has used every chance to make a difference, including the NBA All-Star weekend.

Ayesha and Stephen Curry are not holding back

With the NBA All-Star game being in the Bay this season, Stephen Curry took center stage. He wanted to show off both Oakland and San Francisco as cities where entertainment is in plenty. However, he also used to opportunity to silently progress their mission to continue serving the youth of the city.

Eat. Learn. Play partnered with the NBPA for the NBA Cares All-Star Day of Service. They held the event at the East Oakland Pride Elementary, where they took large steps to transform the school. This was the foundation’s largest schoolyard transformation, with over 300 volunteers helping out to redevelop the premises.

This was part of the “whole child, whole school model” that Stephen and Ayesha Curry have adopted to expand the efforts of their organization.

East Oakland Pride Elementary went through a whole makeover as part of their initiative. The school was equipped with a new library equipped with productive books. With the help of the NBA, they also transformed the cafeteria and enhanced the school’s gym with new flooring, a sound system, and new equipment.

This was the first of such transformations Eat. Learn. Play has done. They have five more planned for 2025 itself. Clearly, Stephen and Ayesha Curry are determined to create opportunities and allow the youth of Oakland to flourish. And they won’t stop until they reach every corner of the city.