From barefoot basketball to global change: Adeola Ajayi's inspiring rise

A childhood in a 9x9 room couldn't stop him. Now, his foundation empowers kids across three countries—and the Bloom Ball will share the story behind the mission.

, and Administrator

2026 March 6 . 1:02 PM

1 min read

The image shows a group of children standing next to each other on a basketball court, each holding... — The image shows a group of children standing next to each other on a basketball court, each holding a paper bag in their hands. On the right side of the image, there are bags and other objects placed on the ground, and on the left side there is a board with some text on it. In the background, there is fencing, poles, street lights, electric poles with wires, trees, buildings, hills and the sky, suggesting that the children are participating in a program to help children with disabilities.

From barefoot basketball to global change: Adeola Ajayi's inspiring rise

Adeola Ajayi's journey from a cramped room in Nigeria to founding the Adeola Ajayi Foundation began with basketball. Born into poverty, he now supports disadvantaged children across three countries. His story of resilience will take centre stage at the upcoming Bloom Ball gala on February 21.

Ajayi spent his early years in Sango Ota, Nigeria, where his family of seven shared a 9-by-9 room. The tenement housing was overrun with pests, and hunger was a daily struggle. At one point, his family faced eviction, leaving them with nowhere to go.

Basketball became his escape. Without shoes, he played barefoot, finding purpose in the sport. A move to Lagos later expanded his horizons, offering new opportunities through local teams.

His talent earned him a scholarship to the United States, where Dr. Jackie Walters and her husband took him in. That support changed his life. In 2019, he launched the Adeola Ajayi Foundation in Kansas City to help children facing similar hardships. By 2026, its programmes had reached Nigeria, Ghana, and the United Kingdom.

The foundation's annual Bloom Ball, themed Root to Rise, will celebrate these efforts on February 21.

The Adeola Ajayi Foundation now operates in three countries, providing education and resources to children in need. Ajayi's path—from a childhood of scarcity to creating lasting change—shows how opportunity can transform lives. The Bloom Ball gala will highlight the foundation's growth and its ongoing mission.