The Team

Who We Are

jt escobar

Founder & CEO

JT is a native of Tallahassee, Florida.

He became one of the first players of the decade to sign to a power 5 school in Tallahassee.

He went on to play his collegiate career at Ole miss and concluded his career at the University of North Florida - where he was awarded the ASUN Scholar Athlete of the Year (2018-19), ASUN Winter Sports Winner For Life (2018-19), and Arthur Ashe Jr. Award Winner for Basketball and Male Runner-Up Nationally (2018-19).

JT's mission in life is to empower people to help them understand their value. Inspired by Dr. MLK Jr. quote on the Good Samaritan: "But the Good Samaritan reversed the question: 'if I don't stop to help this man, what will happen to him?' That is the question before you today." He has dedicated his life to making a way for those who need it.

JT and his wife Susannah married in 2019 while JT was finishing up his career at UNF and moved back to Tallahassee in March of 2020. They have one daughter, Evva Katherine.

Founded in 2020.

destiny story

chief operating officer

Destiny Story moved to Florida 5 years ago, originally from California. A cross-country move opened more opportunities to continue pursuing her passion for working with at-risk youth. Destiny is highly experienced in foster care and residential programming in a human services setting as well as nonprofit program management.

Destiny received a double Bachelor's degree from Colorado State University. There she gained years of experience working in cultural centers and for the Dean of Student Affairs. She went on to create her own student organization for bi-racial students to create safe spaces for bi-racial identities and conversations.

She went on to receive her Master's Degree from Bellevue University focusing on human services administration.

Destiny has a passion for working with at-risk youth specifically in emotional and mental health to increase overall success. Her purpose in life is to help people, spaces and places reach their greatest potential.

Joined 2022.

tony brown

coach | skill development

Tony Brown is a Madison, Florida native who spent all four years of his high school career playing basketball for Madison County High School. After earning his high school diploma Tony chose to enlist in the active army.

While stationed in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Tony began coaching travel basketball. He was instantly drawn to

mentorship and youth development. After serving in the Army for 12 years, Tony retired in 2018. He moved to Tallahassee, Florida, where he continued to coach basketball. Tony is motivated by a desire to help others in his community.

Tony has a strong desire to give back to his community, and he utilizes basketball as his platform to accomplish it. Tony's major aim is to grow each player who crosses his path into a leader and a believer, even though developing them into better basketball players is second nature to him.

Tony is working on his bachelor's degree in Health, Leisure, and Fitness at Florida Agriculture and Mechanical University.

barry taylor

coach | skill development

Barry played basketball for Brevard Jr. College then transferred on to the University of North Carolina Wilmington.

After his playing career, Barry began coaching at Gulf Coast Community College, Tallahassee Community College, and Okaloosa Walton Community.

After 12 years of coaching on the collegiate level, he began to coach at the high school level for Lincoln High School, Havana Northside High School, Sail High School, and Florida High.

Barry is a retired educator of Leon County Schools of 30 years.

grady escobar

creative & branding

Grady is a content creator in all capacities, but really just likes to do creative things - however random they may be.

With an extensive background in cinematography, he is passionate about next-gen marketing tools and 'doing brand correctly' through the digital scope.

Currently residing in Carrabelle, Florida, Grady operates SBG Digital Media.

Joined 2021.

Shem rivera

coach | skill development

Shem Rivera was raised in Miami, Florida since moving from Roatan, Honduras. He began his basketball journey at Hialeah Senior High School and joined Florida State University practice team under Coach Sue Semrau.

After graduating with a degree in Sport Management from FSU, Shem began his career as a 4th grade teacher in Gadsden County. Ever since moving to Tallahassee, Shem has been driven to give back to the community through education and sport.

During Shem’s junior year at FSU, he began refereeing intramural basketball and eventually joined Big Bend Basketball Officials Association in Leon County.

Shem is currently an NCAA Division 1 basketball referee, as well as D2, NAIA, and Juco.

His overall goal is to inspire, train, and lead the younger generation in a positive way. Through basketball, he will use it as an avenue to instill life-long lessons and development.