Empowering Girls Through Sport: How Chiene’ Joy Jones is Growing the Game and Changing the Narrative

This Women’s History Month, we’re honored to celebrate the remarkable leadership of Chiene’ Joy Jones—an athlete, coach, mentor, and changemaker who founded Grow Our Game—an organization that is redefining what’s possible for girls in sports. Rooted in community, sisterhood, and a vision for equity, Chiene’s story is a testament to the power of sports to shape leaders and inspire generational change.

The Roots of Grow Our Game

Growing up on the courts of New York City, Chiene’ learned early that sports could be a vehicle for confidence, resilience, and belonging. Whether playing against boys in local parks or finding sisterhood through her CYO team, basketball became her anchor. Her journey as a student-athlete at New York University (NYU) shaped her leadership philosophy, teaching her that the game is about far more than wins and losses—it’s about character, relationships, and growth.

Those experiences laid the foundation for Grow Our Game, a nonprofit dedicated to creating access to free basketball programming for girls who might not otherwise get the chance to play. Since launching in 2018 with just six girls, the program has grown to serve over 275 participants in New York City, offering not just sports but mentorship, workforce development, and a powerful sense of belonging.

Chiene’s approach aligns with Positive Coaching Alliance’s mission: to change the culture of youth sports so that all kids have a positive, character-building experience. At Grow Our Game, the basketball court becomes a classroom—one where girls are connected with mentors and experiences that build life skills that reach beyond sports.

“We’re intentional about creating spaces where girls are empowered,” Chiene’ explains. “We want them to see themselves as leaders—in sports, in school, and eventually in their careers.”

Central to Grow Our Game is its mentorship model. Coaches like Fanta and players like Erica illustrate the power of investing in girls. Fanta graduated from college at 21, received the first-ever Wonder grant from the Shawn Mendes Foundation, and now leads in professional spaces but chooses to invest her time the generation behind her. Erica, who picked up a basketball at age 12, is thriving on a Nike EYBL team—one of the nation’s most competitive circuits developed her love for the sport because of the dedication of individuals like Chiene’ and Fanta.

The program has also become a designated worksite for New York City’s Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), providing job opportunities in grant writing, content creation, and program management. This commitment to workforce development reflects a shared belief that youth sports are a powerful vehicle for lifelong leadership and career skills.

“Basketball is just the entry point,” Chiene’ says. “Our girls are learning project management, communication, and storytelling—skills that will serve them for life.”

Looking Ahead: Future Initiatives Coming from Grow Our Game

This spring, Grow Our Game will launch a new series spotlighting women in executive leadership who attribute their success to lessons learned in youth sports. Backed by research showing that 94% of women in the C-suite played sports growing up, the series will connect today’s girls with role models who’ve leveraged the life skills gained on the court into powerful careers.

Research shows positive sports experiences build resilience, confidence, and leadership skills—principles deeply embedded in Grow Our Game’s programming. This commitment reflects Positive Coaching Alliance’s belief in the power of a supportive, positive coach to shape better athletes and stronger, more capable young people. By showcasing these stories, the series reinforces that the skills learned through sports can translate into boardrooms, businesses, and beyond.

Chiene’ knows that for Grow Our Game to have a lasting impact, the work must extend beyond the court. That means collecting data, telling the stories of girls in sports, and advocating for systems change. This summer, the organization will launch a campaign highlighting the demand for girls’ programming in under-resourced communities—proving that girls show up and thrive when given the opportunity.

Grow Our Game’s mission to expand access to sports for girls from under-resourced communities is part of a broader movement to create equitable opportunities in youth sports—a goal shared by Positive Coaching Alliance’s equity and access initiatives. Both efforts work toward a future where every child can play, grow, and lead—regardless of race, gender, or zip code.

“There’s a false narrative that girls from certain neighborhoods don’t want to play,” Chiene’ shares. “Our program proves otherwise. They’re ready—they just need the door opened.”

Chiene’s vision doesn’t stop in New York. Inspired by the global power of sports, she’s exploring opportunities to bring Grow Our Game to Puerto Rico—building relationships and learning how to support girls there. The goal is to grow a model that centers culture, community, and equity while creating spaces where girls worldwide feel seen, valued, and heard.

Chiene’ Joy Jones is proof of what’s possible when women lead with purpose in sports. Through Grow Our Game, she is creating pathways for young girls to discover their voice, leadership, and potential. Her work reflects Positive Coaching Alliance’s vision of what youth sports can and should be—a place where kids grow into becoming the best version of themselves in the game and in life.

This Women’s History Month, we honor leaders like Chiene’ who are not just growing the game—but changing it. By centering girls, building positive team cultures, and driving systemic change, Chiene’ is creating a lasting legacy—one jump shot, one mentorship moment, and one empowered girl at a time.