Human.Hooper.Hero.
The Human. Hooper. Hero. project was created by San Diego based sports photographer, Heather Cleaves, to give young hoopers a platform to stay in the conversation about who they are and what they want the world to know about their generation. Our hope is that by connecting them to the community through our interview series, it will allow for a deeper understanding as to why we believe they are some of the most inspiring human beings of our time.
One of our biggest goals is to raise awareness about the importance of young athletes prioritizing their mental health: they are HUMAN first. Followed by the opportunity to pursue their dreams as a HOOPER. Lastly, that their bravery, tenacity, and courage makes them a HERO, not only to the world around them, but within themselves.
We unite community through storytelling, service and photography, one hooper at a time.
Make a donation.
Human.Hooper.Hero. is solely run on the generous donations from the community and people like you. In addition to our online interviews and daily service we provide to the basketball community, every month we award athletes in the basketball community monetary scholarship gifts so that they can continue to go after their dreams with hope, support and possibility.
Some will buy shoes and others will use the gift to support their families. Some will use the gift to pay for a tournament that may have college recruitment opportunities and in some instances they use it to make the world a better place by paying it forward in their community, school, or team.
With donations like yours, we can not only continue to invest in these future leaders one dream at a time, but we can give them a promise of a brighter tomorrow.
Human. Hooper. Hero. was created by Heather Cleaves, photographer, writer, and passionate humanitarian.
Why?
I believe that when human beings are seen, encouraged, and heard it gives them a sense of validation. And when you are validated for who you are, it gives you a sense of belonging. And when you truly belong to something, my deepest belief is that It gives you a reason to continue showing up. For those of us who are living with mental health challenges every day sometimes showing up is the hardest part. My hope with Human.Hooper.Hero is that for those who I get the honor of crossing paths and working with… showing up becomes a little easier and believing in themselves becomes something they look forward to waking up and doing.
Heather
Who should we spotlight next? Nominate our next Human.Hooper.Hero.
Get to know these incredible humans, who also happen to be hoopers, doing extraordinary things both on and off the court which is why they are some of San Diego’s most inspiring heroes.