Terrell Dean, Founder of Camp Mind Over Matter and R.I.S.E. Youth Empowerment League Coordinator, Invited to Prestigious Nike Youth Coaching Summit

Chicago, IL- Chicago’s youth sports movement is once again stepping into the national spotlight as Terrell Dean, Founder of Camp Mind Over Matter and Site Coordinator for the R.I.S.E. Youth Empowerment League with Beyond Athletics Chicago (BAC), has been invited to the Nike Youth Coaching Summit. The highly anticipated event will take place at the Intentional Sports Complex on the city’s West Side.

Sponsored by Nike, the Center for Healing and Justice Through Sports, Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation, Game Changer Youth Sports, and Beyond Athletics Chicago. The Summit is more than a conference, it’s a national think tank where leaders reimagine the future of coaching. Its purpose is to center healing, equity, mental wellness and empowerment as core values in sports, alongside skill and performance.

For Dean, the invitation is both a milestone and a mission.

“This is a blessing and a responsibility,” Dean said. “It proves the work we’re doing in Chicago is resonating nationally. When we pour into youth with love and leadership, the world takes notice.”

Dean has built a reputation for creating transformative spaces for young people. Through Camp Mind Over Matter, he has fostered environments where mental health, resilience and community engagement are prioritized alongside athletic development. As Site Coordinator for BAC’s R.I.S.E. League, he continues to empower youth by combining basketball, mentorship and character-building programs that extend far beyond the court.

The Nike Youth Coaching Summit will convene innovative educators, mentors and community leaders from across the nation. Attendees will engage in immersive workshops, collaborative dialogues and hands-on training to sharpen trauma-informed coaching skills, strengthen culturally relevant mentorship and explore fresh strategies for keeping youth safe and inspired.

Dean’s invitation underscores the impact of grassroots leaders shaping the national conversation about youth sports. Community advocates are calling his selection “a big win for Chicago,” a moment that elevates the voices of those who have long been driving transformation from the ground up.

As Dean reflected:

“We’re building more than athletes, we’re building leaders, thinkers, and changemakers. This Summit is not just about being recognized and learning, it’s about setting the stage for lasting impact.”

For Terrell Dean, this invitation is not just a personal milestone, it’s a testament to Chicago’s role in shaping the future of youth empowerment through sports and equality. 

-Beyond Athletics Media