Empowering Youth Through Sneakers and Community with Jamal Burger

In this episode of Agents of Nonprofit, I interview Jamal Burger, the founder of Kickback, a youth-led movement from Toronto, Canada. Jamal shares his personal journey from growing up in a low-income neighbourhood to creating a nonprofit that provides footwear and support to underprivileged youth. He discusses the organization's evolution, its impact on the community, and the challenges of scaling while staying true to its mission. This heartfelt conversation highlights the transformative power of giving back and the importance of ethical impact measurement.

Topics We Cover:

• The origins and mission of Kickback, inspired by Jamal’s personal experiences
• How a simple pair of shoes can boost a child's confidence and sense of equality
• The expansion of Kickback's mission to include sports, arts, and education programs
• Organizing community events like basketball tournaments, haircuts, and educational workshops
• Corporate partnerships in enhancing the impact of nonprofit initiatives.
• Challenges of sustaining a nonprofit financially and ensuring fair compensation
• The importance of mentorship and personal growth in nonprofit leadership
• Ethical ways to measure and report impact while respecting the humanity of those served

To Learn More and Connect with Jamal:
Donate to Kickback
Kickback.org
Kickback Foundation on LinkedIn
Kickback Foundation on Instagram