At GoSprout, we’re extremely blessed to watch as our leadership team forms. So we couldn’t be more excited to welcome NBA great Tony Allen to our Advisory Board. Tony brings a wealth of experience and a huge network to the team, and shares our passion for improving equity and creating career pathways for our nation’s youth, especially in historically underserved communities. So here’s Tony sharing his thoughts on what got him excited about GoSprout and what he’s looking to accomplish over the next few years.
Q: Tony, before we talk all things apprenticeship and GoSprout, let’s rewind way back before your NBA career. Where are you from? What was your childhood like? Who was your support network?
I’m from the South Side of Chicago, a neighborhood that was tough, to say the least. It was a place marked by violence—shootings and drug activity were a constant reality. My mom worked tirelessly to support our family, but my dad wasn’t around, and there wasn’t really a support network outside of the streets. I had to figure things out for myself, and for many kids growing up in that environment, it’s easy to get caught up in the cycle. But that experience is what drives me today to help others find a better path.
Q: As a kid, obviously sports were a big deal but what else were you into? What were your friends into? What were the aspirations of your less athletically gifted friends?
Sports were my way out, but for a lot of my friends, they didn’t have that option. Many of them became products of their environment, getting involved in the streets because it seemed like the only way to survive or make a living. It’s a cycle that’s hard to break, especially when you don’t see any other options around you. I was blessed to have basketball, but I know not everyone is that lucky.
Q: Where do you think you would have ended up if you hadn’t been able to play sports professionally?
Honestly, I think I would have pursued a career as a principal or educator—I actually studied and earned a degree in education. The reality for a lot of athletes, is that many leave before they can complete their degree.
If I hadn’t made it in basketball, maybe I would’ve tried to make it in the music industry or, worst-case scenario, found myself back in the streets.
Getting the opportunity to travel through sports opened my eyes to the world beyond my neighborhood, and I wish more kids could have that experience. So many people I know never even got to leave their block.
Q: Are you still in touch with any folks from your childhood neighborhood?
Not really. Unfortunately, a lot of the folks I grew up with are still doing the same things. We grew apart as our paths diverged. When I go back now, it’s all about trying to teach a better way to live—showing that there’s more out there if you’re willing to work for it and seek opportunities like those offered through GoSprout.
Q: So now that you’re on the other side of your professional career. What are you focused on? What causes are you supporting?
I’m focused on three main pillars: workforce development, safe communities, and affordable housing. I’ve partnered with organizations like Cure Violence and One City Basketball, and I’m involved in my own initiatives aimed at creating real impact. GoSprout is a big part of that because it aligns with my mission to provide economic stability and opportunity for people in disenfranchised communities. We need to offer paths for people to build careers and safe, sustainable lives.
Q: How has name recognition helped in that regard?
Having a name that people recognize gives me a platform, and I’m fortunate to have developed that through hard work, determination, and resilience on the court. My goal now is to build the same brand capital in the social impact space, to be a thought leader who understands the struggles of those growing up in similar situations. With GoSprout, I see an opportunity to leverage my story and influence to help others realize their dreams of economic empowerment and the fundamental right to security.
Tony Defending Kobe Bryant
Q: We were extremely lucky that you ended up connecting with us here at GoSprout…How did you first hear about us? What caught your attention?
A friend told me about GoSprout, and what caught my attention was how it’s designed to support both the employer and the employee. It’s like a dating service for companies and individuals, connecting people with the right drive and determination with the businesses that need them. It’s about finding that perfect fit—something we need more of in today’s job market, especially for folks from underserved communities.
Q: You even become an advisor for us, and we’re extremely grateful for that. What will you be steering us to accomplish?
I’m steering GoSprout to focus on creating opportunities for our brown and black communities, for ex-convicts, and for veterans. We live in an economic superpower, and there’s no reason why we can’t offer diverse paths into the workforce. Not everyone is meant to attend college, but everyone has the right to feed their families and contribute through hard work. By expanding apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships, we can help people build skills that lead to long-term careers.
Q: For our nation’s youth, there’s before GoSprout and after. We know that pre-apprenticeships (high school programs) are just coming into existence and registered apprenticeships are starting to get attention, but way too few programs exist overall. What transformation would you like to see GoSprout enable over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, I’d like to see GoSprout partner with governments, municipalities, and high schools to create alternative paths for young people to achieve financial success. We need to build a system where apprenticeships are as common as college pathways. By doing so, we can provide students with tangible skills and job opportunities right out of high school. This approach not only fills the skills gap but also empowers young people with a sense of purpose and economic freedom early on.
Q: If similar programs had been available in your community when you were a kid, what do you think that would have accomplished for the area?
It would have been a game-changer. Instead of seeing so many people fall into the cycle of drug dealing or violence, there would have been opportunities for growth and legitimate employment. People wouldn’t have had to turn to the streets to survive. With pathways to real jobs and financial independence, the entire community could have transformed: less violence, less crime, and more hope.
Q: For other celebrities or folks with influence and/or income, how would you recommend getting involved?
I’d tell them to get into the communities, meet the people who are doing their best every day under insurmountable odds just to provide the basics; food, shelter, and security for their families. Put your money and influence to work in a way that makes a real impact. Partner with organizations like GoSprout that are already creating solutions. It’s our responsibility to work alongside local governments and community leaders to create programs that uplift and empower.
Q: Anything else you’d like to share until we check in with you next time?
I just want to say that this work isn’t easy, but it’s necessary. Apprenticeships and alternative pathways are the future of our workforce, and it’s time we invest in them at every level—businesses, governments, and communities. If we do, I know we can change the lives of millions of people and build a stronger, more equitable society.
