WARD BOY PROJECT and the Power of Representing the Unseen

A reflection on community, legacy, and showing up where it counts

Every once in a while, you come across a project that doesn’t just inspire you, it makes you pause. For me, that was the WARD BOY PROJECT.

I wasn’t part of it, but I wish I had been. It’s the kind of work that hits home, not because it's flashy or viral, but because it’s deeply rooted in something real. Started by NFL veterans Terron and T.J. Ward, this nonprofit is dedicated to mentoring youth through sports, education, and leadership programs. Their goal? To mentor 100,000 kids over the next five years. Ambitious but if you’ve seen what they’re building in the Bay Area, it doesn’t feel far-fetched.

What stood out to me

I think what struck me most is how this project brings attention to a group of kids and communities that are often overlooked. It’s about being present showing up, teaching skills, and reminding young people that they matter.

There’s something powerful about that kind of visibility. Not just being seen, but being supported. Being valued. Being mentored by people who look like you, who come from where you come from, who made it and never forgot how.

Why this matters (especially right now)

Projects like this remind me that true representation happens at the community level. It’s not just about who's on stage it’s about who’s being heard.

In a world that often rewards the loudest voice, the WARD BOY PROJECT feels like a quiet revolution. It's mentorship that doesn’t seek attention, only impact. It’s the kind of work that builds long term change, not overnight noise.

As someone who works in media and storytelling…

This project reminded me of why I care so deeply about narrative. Because how we tell stories and whose stories we choose to tell can shift entire communities.

I may not have been involved in this project directly, but I wanted to write about it because it’s the kind of work that matters. It challenges me to think about how I can use my skills to uplift what’s already happening on the ground. And it reminds me that storytelling doesn’t have to be grand to be meaningful—it just has to be true.

— Jennifer Booth
Writer, media lover, big believer in community.