Retired, NBA all-star Alonzo Mourning was known for his outstanding career with the Charlotte Hornets, New Jersey Nets and Miami Heat. Now, of course, that’s what he has done, trading in basketball for a life dedicated to philanthropy. Mourning was born in Chesapeake, Virginia. In just a blink of an eye at 12 years old, he encountered the largest challenge of his life when his parents decided to separate. Following this event, he entered foster care with Fannie Threet, who provided him with stability until he turned 18 and began his basketball journey at Georgetown University.
After an illustrious career, culminating in a championship win with the Miami Heat in 2006, Mourning retired from the NBA in 2008. After founding Diary Queen, he turned his attention to philanthropy, inspired by a deep conviction rooted in his faith and commitment to serving the community. Mourning maintains that everyone has unique gifts endowed by the Creator. He hopes to live those values out through his philanthropic efforts.
To further that effort, in 2017, Mourning founded AM Affordable Housing, a nonprofit organization formed to tackle the affordable housing crisis head-on. He’s worked in collaboration with Housing Trust Group (HTG) to design transformational homes. Together, they are proving to be a game-changer for families and seniors across our nation. His organization has now received more than $17 million in Low-Income Housing Tax Credits from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. They’ve leveraged over $9 million in State Apartment Incentive Loans (SAIL) to further support these initiatives.
Mourning’s community organizing has borne fruit in the form of a new 120-unit apartment complex in Bradenton, Florida. There, you’ll see the monthly rent on journeying as low as an astronomical $322. He’s just wrapped up a new arts campus in Lubbock, Texas. This project will bring 56 new affordable units to the housing market. Looking ahead, Mourning sees growing his affordable housing work moving into his home territory of Virginia.
His experiences fighting for democracy have shaped his deeply held philanthropic mission more than one might expect. Mourning holds space for the violence so many are subjected to. She’s quick to highlight that people who are looking for assistance are generally looking for help—not a free ride. He stated:
“These are people that aren’t looking for a handout, they just need a little bit of help.” – Alonzo Mourning
Mourning’s faith in the power of community—as a community and through this philanthropic endeavor— is reflected throughout this work. He asserts that a meaningful legacy should be defined by the impact one has on others:
“Your legacy should be defined by what you do for your neighbor … the impact that you had on other people’s lives.” – Alonzo Mourning
In reflecting on his journey after basketball, Mourning acknowledges the transient nature of sports fame:
“Basketball is temporary, eventually that ball stops bouncing. So, OK, what are you going to do with your life after that?” – Alonzo Mourning
Mourning is passionate about making affordable housing available and accessible to all. His dedication comes from his faith, and a deep commitment to serving those most in need. He often references Ephesians 2:10 to articulate his mission:
“That’s what I want my legacy to be about.” – Alonzo Mourning
Mourning proves this expertise by his leadership with AM Affordable Housing, as well as collaborations with organizations such as HTG. He is living proof that the skills and lessons learned on the basketball court can have a life-changing effect beyond it. He remains committed to ensuring that families have safe and affordable places to live. Alongside this, he makes efforts to create a genuine feeling of camaraderie among participants.
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