GLOBAL CONVERSATIONS WITH THE FLY PROF.

CARETAKERS OF THE COMMUNITY-KENYA

By Earl N. Caldwell II

Welcome to Global Conversations With The Fly Prof. In this edition, you will meet two brothers who are not only empowering Kenyan youth and young adults through sports, education, and training, but also supporting aspiring athletes across neighboring African countries. Through their Friday After Next program, thousands of young Africans are gaining access to critical tools, mentorship, and experiences that foster both personal growth and professional development.

In a Kenyan city named for unity, certain nights are marked by bright lights illuminating an outdoor basketball court built by Giants of Africa where organized games can be played. On those evenings, people of all ages—from diverse communities and even neighboring countries—gather in Umoja to watch basketball, listen to music, and share in an atmosphere of celebration and enjoyment.

Before becoming CEO of Friday After Next, Fred Junior Aim gained valuable experience with globally recognized organizations such as the Red Cross, the World Bank, and the United Nations. He also founded and managed several business ventures focused on the arts and sports, including producing theatrical productions, working closely with thespians, and operating a sports equipment and uniform supply enterprise.

The motivation for creating Friday After Next (FAN) was to empower communities both economically and through sport. FAN plays a significant role in identifying athletic talent at the local level, organizing tournaments, and providing a platform for youth ages 10–25 to showcase their abilities and pursue opportunities for growth and advancement.

FAN addresses critical gaps in the existing sports development system. At the national level, athletes often must reach the national team before gaining access to comprehensive government resources for training and advancement. In the private sector, corporate leagues provide another pathway, allowing athletes to develop their skills and compete against strong talent—but access to these opportunities is limited.

FAN is designed to support young women and men who are unable to access either national or private development pathways. By engaging participants at an early age, FAN not only cultivates athletic talent but also fosters holistic growth—supporting education, character development, and life skills that open doors to opportunities beyond sports.

FRIDAY AFTER NEXT PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES

Using a holistic approach, FAN’s programs and activities engage participants through multiple touchpoints. These include one- to two-day tournaments for men’s and women’s teams across junior divisions (ages 10–13 and 14–18) and senior divisions (ages 19–22 and 23–25), drawing participants not only from Kenya but also from neighboring countries such as Uganda and Tanzania.

FAN also organizes conferences that bring together government officials—including representatives from the Ministry of Sports—and local sports associations to raise awareness, share information, strengthen collaboration, and promote the growth of sports in Kenya. These gatherings create valuable networking opportunities for athletes, coaches, and stakeholders.

Recognizing a shortage of qualified referees, FAN is additionally working to develop a program to recruit and train local officials, helping to strengthen the sports ecosystem and ensure the sustainability of competitions at the community level.

Ken provides additional insight into FAN’s community engagement efforts. The organization has conducted workshops focused on economic development, entrepreneurship, and starting small-scale businesses, equipping participants with practical skills for financial independence. In addition, some students have received educational scholarships, further expanding their opportunities for long-term success.

FAN’s programming serves as both a platform and a bridge—enabling young people to develop and showcase their talents while fostering discipline, confidence, hope, and a sense of purpose. The initiative has attracted support from corporate and institutional partners, including Pepsi, Avalon (a Kenyan beverage company), and several financial institutions.

Ken’s background includes extensive work with businesses and foundations focused on medical support, cancer initiatives, and HIV/AIDS programs. He previously served as CEO of the SOWO Foundation (Safeguard Orphans and Widows Organization), which was led by the late Dr. Mama Sarah Obama—affectionately known as “Mama Sarah,” the grandmother of former U.S. President Barack Obama. Following her passing in 2021 and the foundation shutting down, led to the Aim brothers creating Friday After Next.

Workshops on economic development, entrepreneurship and starting small scale businesses, some students have received scholarships for school

The brother’s expertise and experience, passion and commitment has led to various accomplishments and achievements such as:

• The first community event, with international participation, setting the tone for excellence, coupled with the excitement and hope that was brought to the community to learn, improve and achieve.
• Being recognized by the Kenya Basketball Federation as a Community Organization contributing the Kenya’s basketball ecosystem.
• The Legend Series/the East Africa Old School Teams from Uganda. The participants had previously played professionally.
• The ongoing collaboration and working individuals, teams and organizations in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

Fred and Kem are excited the expansion and intersection of sports and entertainment in Kenya and look to deepen collaborations with entertainers and the improving support the government is giving to sports and basketball. For words of encouragement to the youth the brothers convey that sports develop and promote teamwork, discipline and contributes to your life goals.

If you have comments, suggestions, or ideas for future topics or individuals to feature in the upcoming editions of Global Conversations, I’d love to hear from you.

Prof. Earl N. Caldwell II
The Fly Prof.
 theflyprof5@gmail.com

About The Author