As one of the most under-resourced big cities in the country, Philadelphia’s poverty rate is double the national average. Philadelphia 76ers center, father, and community leader Joel Embiid felt that Philly youth deserved more.

As tribute to his late brother, Embiid has launched the In Memory of Arthur (IMOA) Initiative which helps kids develop the agency and confidence needed to achieve their dreams by investing in social impact organizations.

Alongside Rhymes With Reason, IMOA has identified YEAH! Philly, Philadelphia Youth Basketball League, New Options New Opportunities (NoMo) and Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia as impactful partners. Together these organizations form a powerful network. Joel Embiid believes Rhymes With Reason is the ‘difference maker’, uniting the four organizations via a common motivator and resource.

Philadelphia’s NoMo Foundation nurtures positive outcomes by focusing on what young people need to thrive. Dedicated to providing opportunities, they’ve recently launched the Rhymes With Reason online program.

Educators from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia met with Rhymes With Reason Founder & CEO Austin Martin at the organization’s Germantown Club - a valued neighborhood resource since 1877.

Philadelphia Youth Basketball leadership enthusiastically welcomed Rhymes With Reason’s literacy tech. The Chief Mission Officer exclaimed, “You gave agency to where they came from and their story… It’s magic!”

Philadelphia has been a place where many of my dreams were able to come true, and I wanted to do my part to bring that to others.... as an NBA player, I’ve been blessed with resources and influence, and with IMOA, I hope to pour back everything I have into my community, by empowering the experts that are the real MVP’s of making a difference.  

- Joel Embiid

Award-winning literacy program Rhymes with Reason will be available in Philly for the first time thanks to Joel Embiid. As a result of the partnership between these four organizations as many as 2,500 students will gain access to this learning opportunity. 

With a proven track record of improving literacy, vocabulary, and reading levels, Rhymes with Reason is an Ed Tech program that builds academic confidence in students. 

Through the hip-hop and popular music-powered learning app, participating Philadelphia students will unlock exclusive rewards and experiences!

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