Tech’s Aminu stars in bid to help kids

Alade Aminu’s most productive season at Georgia Tech hasn’t resulted in a winning record.

Off the court, however, he’s making an impact as big as his 6-10 frame.

Aminu started a community service organization, Brotherhood of the World, that has gotten teammates more involved in projects that help kids. The group collected food, blankets and toys at basketball games in November and December and donated the items to the Atlanta Union Mission.

Aminu and the World’s board, which includes his mother and girlfriend, are planning a basketball and life skills camp this summer. Aminu said the organization will apply for nonprofit status so it can become an Atlanta fixture.

“It’s definitely rare,” said Leah Thomas, who coordinates community service activities for Tech athletes and has worked closely with Aminu. “Alade has a passion for getting involved, giving back and wanting to do big things.”

Aminu acknowledges that he wasn’t heavily involved in giving back to the community until last spring when visits to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Zoo Atlanta, both arranged by Tech, heightened his interest.

“I wanted to do something for my hometown because I love Atlanta,” said Aminu, a graduate of Stephenson High in Stone Mountain.

“I guess I could have just joined another group, but something just drove me and I felt I had enough intelligence and smarts to start my own company and make something even bigger, something that can really impact underprivileged children and give them some help and guidance.”

Aminu said his motivation also stemmed from his mother, Anjirlic, a “wellness coach,” and his Nigerian father, Abou.

“As a Nigerian, we have to look out not only for ourselves but everyone around us —- the whole village,” Aminu said.

His brother, Wake Forest freshman Al-Farouq Aminu, participated in some of the children’s events last summer. The duo will run the three-day basketball and life skills camp this summer.

Aminu has gotten a lot of help from fellow senior D’Andre Bell, and has teamed up with other local organizations. Usually the athletes lead the kids in drills, then speak to them about education and goals.

Aminu said his goal is to play pro ball while building his organization. Despite Aminu’s production (11.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, 53.6 percent shooting), the Yellow Jackets are 10-12 overall and 1-8 in the ACC heading into today’s game at Virginia Tech.

Aminu said working on his organization has lessened the stress. After one particularly tough loss in December, he was heartened by the generosity of Tech’s fans.

“After the game, you’re down, you’re depressed about the loss, and I go back and see that people have been putting food and toys into the crates,” he recalled. “That just brought a type of elation to me.”

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