Leadership Team

WILLIAM “COACH BILLY” COUNCIL, FOUNDER

William Council, professionally and affectionately known as “Coach Billy” is a 32 year veteran of the legendary New York City basketball circuit. This Harlem native developed his passion for the sport as a young athlete, and has since devoted the past 19 years of his life to instilling values, morals and discipline in today’s youth through the art of basketball.

In 2012, Coach Billy co-founded, and became the Athletic Director for the New Renaissance Basketball Association also known as “The Rens,” where he exemplified his stellar capabilities of turning out some of New York City’s most sought after up and coming basketball stars.

Also, having served as the Assistant Athletic Director and Assistant Varsity Boys Basketball Coach at Bishop Loughlin High School in Brooklyn, NY, and currently the Director of Basketball Programming and Operations at A-Game Sports in New Rochelle, NY; Coach Billy remains connected and committed to the community to ensure that young men and women develop the foundational principles necessary to succeed both on and off of the court.

SHARON LOPEZ, PRESIDENT

Sharon is president and founder of Purple Giraffe Productions, a NYC certified Minority and Woman-Owned Business. Her firm caters to innovators, entrepreneurs, thought leaders and people who want to have a positive effect on the world, and who seek strategic solutions to their event, marketing and business development needs.

As a communications engagement strategist for numerous community based organizations, she has been responsible for forming partnerships and building audiences for organizations like The Wendy Hilliard Gymnastics Foundation, which empowers the lives of young people in NYC and Detroit.

Sharon has also worked with Figure Skating in Harlem, NY, a non-profit academic support program that teaches leadership skills, as well as the artistry and discipline of figure skating to girls from underserved neighborhoods in NYC.

Ivo Philbert

Ivo Philbert is Vice President, External Relations & Special Projects for the Jackie Robinson Foundation, where he is responsible for creating strategic partnerships with community organizations, educational institutions and professional organizations across the country to further the mission of the Jackie Robinson Foundation and the Jackie Robinson Museum. He also oversees JRF’s Rachel Robinson International Fellowship trip to Africa for freshmen scholars. Before assuming that role in January 2018, he was Vice President & Chief Program Officer where he was responsible for the strategic and operational oversight of the Foundation's Mentoring & Leadership Development Program; including the scholarship selection process and scholarship grants made; monitoring and evaluating the program to ensure efficacy and standardization; supervising the JRF Program staff; and working closely with the President & CEO to develop the ongoing programmatic vision and strategic planning.