ABOUT
In 2019, Founder Aaron Donald, nearing the height of his highly successful career, which includes the most esteemed accolades in his profession, sought to launch an organization that
HELP(S) GIVE KIDS THE OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE OUT THEIR DREAMS.
Growing up in Pittsburgh’s Lincoln-Lemington-Belmar neighborhood, Aaron saw firsthand the positive impact athletics had on him and others. His experiences growing up in a community plagued with poverty and violence shaped the development of AD99 Solutions program and services. While our programs and services appeal to athletes, the emphasis is on something other than athletic ability. Our educational organization uses sports as a commonality and an avenue to support under-resourced youth and communities holistically.
Headquartered in the city known as “The City of Bridges,” AD99 Solutions looks to act as a bridge, connecting underserved youth and communities to what they lack most – resources and opportunities.
”I had friends who didn’t always make the best decisions. I had friends who were in and out of jail. I had friends who were murdered. I understand it’s about the environment, and you try to adapt to your environment. We’re [AD99 Solutions] just trying to keep kids on the right path because it’s easy if something isn’t going your way to say you’re done with it, and you go another way…you just don’t have hope. We’re giving them an opportunity to beat the odds of what you typically see in underprivileged communities. We’re trying to build the community up and change what you see.”
– Founder, Aaron Donald
”I had friends who didn’t always make the best decisions. I had friends who were in and out of jail. I had friends who were murdered. I understand it’s about the environment, and you try to adapt to your environment. We’re [AD99 Solutions] just trying to keep kids on the right path because it’s easy if something isn’t going your way to say you’re done with it, and you go another way…you just don’t have hope. We’re giving them an opportunity to beat the odds of what you typically see in underprivileged communities. We’re trying to build the community up and change what you see.”
– Founder, Aaron Donald
NEED
1 in 7 children of color are impoverished.
3 in 10 Black children reside in women-led households. Children in single mother homes remain one of the poorest age groups in the country.
Only 35% of Black Americans have an associates degree or higher.
Black graduates complete college with nearly 50% more debt than their White counterparts.
APPROACH
AD99 Solutions takes a holistic approach to the development of under-resourced student-athletes. We integrate evidence based practices that are culturally competent, trauma-sensitive, and strength-based. Not only do we support and educate student-athletes but also their social ecosystem, which increases the probability of positive outcomes for youths and adolescents.
The AD99’s Elite Student-Athletes Model is seven-dimensional, focusing on mental health, physical health, social-emotional development, identity development, academic development, cognitive development, and competitive spirit. The model prioritizes strong relationships within a student-athlete’s ecosystem of family, school, community, sports teams, and peer groups.
LEADERSHIP
FOUNDER
AARON DONALD
AARON IS A MENTOR, ENTREPRENEUR, AND SOCIAL JUSTICE ADVOCATE. AS A VETERAN PLAYER FOR THE LOS ANGELES RAMS, HE HAS EARNED THE MOST ESTEEMED ACCOLADES IN HIS PROFESSION, INCLUDING THREE-TIME DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR AND SUPER BOWL LVI CHAMPION. AARON FOUNDED AD99 SOLUTIONS TO OFFER EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES TO MARGINALIZED YOUTH AND COMMUNITIES.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Dr. Kelton Edmonds, Board Chair
Ralph Dickerson, III, Treasurer
Colleen Fedor, Stewardship Committee Chair
Dr. Frances Williams, Fundraiser Committee Chair
Dr. Darla Timbo, Volunteer Recruitment Chair
Elliot Donald, General Board Member
Ryan Sanders, Nonvoting General Board Member
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Mark Chimel
Monique Smith
Melissa Swauger Roberson
Devon Taliaferro
Teraya White
THANK YOU TO
OUR PAST PARTNERS
48in48
AD99 Apparel *
Aladdin’s Eatery *
Allegheny Health Network *
Anchor Hoagies *
Best of the Batch Foundation *
Build-A-Head
Carnegie Mellon University’s Statistic and Data Science Department *
Citizens Bank *
Damin Printing
Dick’s Sporting Goods *
Dr Teal’s
elizur
Everytown for Gun Safety
Firestarter *
First National Bank
Hecker Sports and Regenerative Medicine
Highmark Health *
Highmark Wholecare *
Innovation Works *
Johnathan Kuhn Architect
NFL Foundation *
NFLPA *
Nike *
Pizza Hut *
Ready *
Rivers Casino
Sharp Insurance
Slippery Rock University’s Nonprofit Management, Empowerment, and Diversity, and Frederick Douglass Institute Department
SmithShaper *
SoFresh *
SoHoodie *
Starbucks
Team TMC Reality
UMPC’s Department of Orthopedic Surgery
University of Pittsburgh’s Athletic Department
Varischetti Holdings
Vault Aviation *
Wigle Whiskey *
* Multiyear Sponsor
