Beyond the Yard- Feature Story

By Dr. Deidra W. Hill 

Kiera Thomas (’14 CHSOC) is vice president and co-founder of Hoop for All, a nonprofit organization that uses sports and athletics to connect communities with access to health care resources such as health professionals, health educational materials, testing and inpatient assistance. The Howard University alumna who majored in strategic communication founded the organization along with classmate and Howard alumnus Ayo Amoo (’14 HUSB) in 2017. 

A native Washingtonian who graduated from Gwynn Park High School in Prince George’s County, Maryland, Thomas was a scholar and athlete in high school. Unable to afford to apply to many colleges and universities, she took an interest in the Air Force ROTC program at Howard. When she learned that hair locking was not allowed in ROTC at that time, she changed her major to strategic communication. 

While at Howard, Thomas said she noticed a disconnect between the University and the community. She became part of a party group that planned activities during Spring Fest and First Fridays and gained popularity on campus for these events. She also was a Campus Pal and part of EPP (Entertainment Power Players) as well as an intern for nationally syndicated radio personality Angie Ange.  

As a sophomore, Thomas along with Amoo launched basketball tournaments at Banneker Park. They started with three-on-three, and Thomas recalls creating brackets on cardboard in those early years. The tournaments became very popular and continued for about four years. Thomas learned early on about the importance of health care through experiences with family who suffered from ailments, including cancer. Cancer became the first focus of the tournaments.  

By senior year, Thomas and Amoo had developed the idea for Hoop for All. Experiencing immense popularity with the tournaments and other events, she said it was an easy transition to creating the nonprofit company. 

A multi-talented professional who also is a musical artist, actress, writer and clothing designer, Thomas is most passionate when she talks about helping the community. Through Hoop for All, she engages in the development and implementation of numerous programs to educate people and move them along the school-to-work pipeline. Topics include financial literacy, nutritional facts, applying for college, how to engage in community activities and public speaking. She brings in speakers from different industries to help address these issues.  

When asked what motivates and inspires her, Thomas is quick to give shout-outs to professors at Howard, such as Dr. Richard Wright for teachings as a student and Dr. Debyii Sababu-Thomas on how to speak to people and having presence in a room. Her favorite quote by Zora Neale Hurston is, “Life is the flower for which love is the honey.” 

Hoop for All is expanding on the idea of teaching students how to start their own nonprofit organizations and organize events. The new program will let students take control with guidance and support from facilitators. Another new program for the organization is the district industry league that will focus on four pillars—diabetes, cancer, mental health and heart disease. Hoop for All has partnered with various organizations such as Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Howard University Hospital, as well as Howard alumni and celebrities to ensure its mission of connecting the community with health care and resources.