Inside The Wizards

Wizards Star Kyle Kuzma Breaks Ground On New YMCA In His Hometown

Earlier this year, Kyle Kuzma publicly announced that he was donating $1 million to his hometown Flint, Michigan for a new YMCA location. This week, the construction officially began.
Candi Waller|
Wizards Star Kyle Kuzma Breaks Ground On New YMCA In His Hometown
Wizards Star Kyle Kuzma Breaks Ground On New YMCA In His Hometown

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Earlier this year Kyle Kuzma publicly announced that he was donating $1 million to his hometown Flint, Michigan YMCA.

This week, was the groundbreaking event for the YMCA. Neil Dalal, Hoop District, had this quote from Kuzma: "This means so much to me more than anything I've every done. ... I'm hoping that one day another kid from Flint that aspires to be an athlete, an artist or even a doctor can use these wonderful resources."

It’s long been documented Kuzma’s relationship and growing up in Flint, Michigan going to the YMCA. In 2018, The Players’ Tribune documented Kuzma’s journey into becoming the basketball player he is today spending nights at the local YMCA.

According to a news release from the YMCA, funds from Kuzma’s donation will be used to build the gymnasium. The center will be named after Kuzma and host equipment for a variety of sports. The new project includes a six-lane lap pool, family splash pad and spa, locker rooms, full-length basketball court and a track. It is expected to break ground in spring 2023 and could open by January 2025.

Kuzma was quoted sharing this about his YMCA experience. "The YMCA was amazing. For me, it was a place where I could be safe and I could just be myself. A lot of times, my mom would be working eight, nine hours a day, and I would have to take the bus sometimes super early in the morning in the summers just to be there, and I wanted to be there... Me being able to get to the Y early and play against the older guys at like 12 when they had their lunch break, and me being able to stay until five to play with my guys, it's helped shape my life, who I am today."

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Candi Waller
CANDI WALLER

Candi Waller also known as "CWall" is the Founder and CEO of CWall® Sports & Entertainment, President of the CWall Foundation, Inc, the Managing Publisher of the Fan Nation Inside the Wizards site, and President of Bowie Television. A native of Gorgeous Prince George's County, Maryland, Candi has been an authentic lover of all sports since her childhood. She was such a sports fan at an early age that she notes one of her favorite childhood shows as the legendary "George Michael Sports Machine". Candi holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Hampton University, Master of Arts in Human Resource Development from The George Washington University and a certificate in Sports Industry Essentials from Columbia University.  Prior to and during her work in the sports industry, Candi has established her identity as a results-driven, relationship building advocate and professional with extensive years of experience leading and implementing successful strategic change, communications, and stakeholder engagement programs across geographically dispersed organizations. She’s worked across Big Four and Government Trusted Advisor consulting firms such as IBM, Deloitte, and the MITRE Corporation. She is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, Women in Sports & Events (WISE), the National Press Club (NPC), the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), the Prince George’s County Chamber of Commerce and is an ambassador for the National Museum of African American History and Culture. In terms of what she likes to do for fun, that’s just it…anything that is considered fun, she’s all for it! She’s very close to her parents, brother, and sister, and has a host of nieces, nephews, and godchildren. 

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