Before joining the NBPA Foundation, Rawlings-Blake most notably served as the 49th Mayor of Baltimore, Maryland, and has more than 20 years of experience in the public sector

NEW YORK, NY, November 7, 2022 - The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) Foundation announced today that Stephanie Rawlings-Blake will serve as its next executive director, effective immediately. In this role, Rawlings-Blake will oversee and direct the NBPA Foundation’s programs, strategic planning, and execution of its mission to highlight and accelerate the real and collaborative work that NBPA members do worldwide to build their communities and create meaningful change. 

Rawlings-Blake will replace Lyzz Ogunwo, who has served as the Foundation's interim executive director since January 2022. With Rawlings-Blake stepping in as the new executive director, Ogunwo will transition into the Head/VP of International Development and Global Impact. In this role, Ogunwo will continue to play to her strengths and passions as she leads the NBPA’s global social impact initiatives, among other responsibilities.  

“Lyzz has done such a wonderful job serving as the Foundation's executive director over the past year of transition, and I know she will continue to excel at advancing the Union’s global impact efforts,” said Tamika Tremaglio, Executive Director of the NBPA. “We are excited to welcome Stephanie to our championship team at the NBPA Foundation. Her unique experience as the Mayor of Baltimore and her work in the public sector will surely be an invaluable resource to support and amplify our members' philanthropic efforts as we continue to reimagine the possible.”

“This is a new chapter in my career and an amazing opportunity to lead the NBPA Foundation,” said Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Executive Director of the NBPA Foundation. “The players have proven themselves as community leaders on many fronts, including youth programming, disaster relief efforts, social justice, civic engagement, and many more. I look forward to collaborating with the players to create meaningful, long-lasting impact in communities domestically and worldwide.”

Rawlings-Blake has more than 20 years of public sector experience working with municipal governments, in fiscal management, and as a strategic problem solver. Most notably, Rawlings-Blake served as the 49th Mayor of Baltimore from 2010-2016, leading the city’s operations, including a $2.4 billion budget and over 15,000 employees. Under her leadership as Mayor, Rawlings-Blake presided over key reforms focused on pensions, urban education, health care delivery, public safety, and more. In June 2015, Rawlings-Blake was elected as the 73rd President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) and became the first and only black woman to serve in this position. Additionally, Rawlings-Blake has worked on the national stage as Secretary of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and led organizing efforts for the 2016 Democratic Convention in Philadelphia. 

Most recently, Rawlings-Blake was the President of SRB & Associates, providing advocacy and consulting services to clients, including private and public companies, government officials, research agencies, and more. 

All media inquiries should be directed to communications@nbpa.com.

About the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) Foundation:

Established in 1997, the National Basketball Players Association Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of its members and providing support and assistance to persons, communities and organizations throughout the world that seek to improve the lives of those in need. Through grants that match players’ philanthropy and charitable giving, the Foundation highlights and accelerates the real and collaborative work that basketball players do worldwide to build their communities and create meaningful change.

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