WNBA champion and Chicago Sky guard Ariel Atkins isn’t just making an impact on the court—she’s using her platform to uplift teachers, students, and young entrepreneurs.
A standout player with an impressive résumé, Atkins is a WNBA champion, Olympic gold medalist, and two-time All-Star. She made history as the first WNBA player to earn an All-Defensive Team selection in each of her first five seasons. Now, as she prepares for a key role with the Chicago Sky this season, she has also led the Rose Basketball Club in the Unrivaled Basketball League to the postseason.
But beyond the stats and accolades, Atkins is deeply committed to her community. Through the Ariel Atkins Foundation, she has dedicated herself to supporting teachers and students, particularly in Washington, D.C., and soon, Chicago. Her approach goes beyond simply providing classroom supplies and funding—she also focuses on the emotional and mental well-being of educators and students. In her ideal vision, no teacher should have to worry about affording basic supplies like pencils and paper.
As part of our International Women’s Day project, we spoke with Atkins about the importance of giving back, supporting teachers, and creating opportunities for the next generation.
The Origin of the Ariel Atkins Foundation
“I’ve always been involved in community work,” Atkins shares. “It’s something my mom instilled in us, and my high school coach made sure we engaged in throughout all four years. She always emphasized that the community supports us, so we should support them. That mindset stuck with me.”
When Atkins arrived in D.C., she connected with local organizations that embraced her efforts. Over time, she realized she wanted to create her own foundation to uplift grassroots programs that often go overlooked.
“Big national programs get a lot of attention, but I wanted to help smaller initiatives. The foundation allows me to use my platform and resources to support those who might otherwise be ignored,” she explains.
Atkins also has a personal connection to education—many of her family members are teachers. She understands how much educators sacrifice, often spending their own paychecks on essential classroom items.
“It’s great when teachers get apples and gift cards, but what they really need is financial relief,” she says. “They shouldn’t have to use their own money to buy tissues for the classroom. That may seem like a small expense, but over a year, it adds up—especially for kindergarten teachers.”
The Impact of Supporting Teachers and Students
Atkins has seen firsthand how her foundation’s efforts make a difference.
“The reactions are incredible,” she says. “When we started by giving back on Teacher Appreciation Day, the responses were overwhelming. Teachers would say, ‘You have no idea how much this means to us’ or ‘You’d be surprised how much I spend on pencils alone each year.’”
She highlights the struggles in lower-income areas, where many students can’t afford supplies from school-provided lists. As a result, teachers often bear the financial burden.
“It’s not the kids’ fault, and it’s not the teachers’ fault—it’s just the reality of our economy,” she explains. “Knowing they don’t have to spend as much of their paycheck is a huge relief. Teachers care deeply about their students. Some even take kids in or do whatever they can to support them daily.”
The Link Between Teacher Support and Student Success
Atkins believes that when teachers feel supported—both emotionally and financially—it directly benefits students.
“We all know that poem Cause I Ain’t Got a Pencil by Joshua T. Dickerson. It’s one of my favorites,” she says, referencing the powerful piece about a student’s struggles outside the classroom.
Encouraging Youth Entrepreneurship
Last summer, Atkins partnered with a youth entrepreneurship program to equip students with the skills and knowledge to build their own businesses.
“When I got to D.C., I was amazed at how young kids were thinking about money. Fifth graders were asking, ‘How do I become an accountant? How do I invest?’” she recalls.
Realizing their curiosity, Atkins and her team sought out organizations already doing this work and found ways to support them.
“We didn’t just want to introduce something random—we wanted to bring in resources these kids actually cared about,” she explains.
The program led to remarkable success. Several students continued building their businesses, with some already operating their own ventures—selling candles, crochet items, safety tools, and even launching clothing brands.
“I was in the process of starting my own clothing brand at the same time,” Atkins shares. “So as they learned, I was learning, too. We even showed them where we made mistakes and where we succeeded. It was great to let them know, ‘I’m doing this at 27 or 28, and you’re doing it at 15! You’re already ahead of me.’”
Creating Opportunities for the Future
Atkins understands the entrepreneurial mindset is more important than ever.
“Everyone wants to know how to be an entrepreneur these days. But you won’t know if it’s for you unless you learn,” she says.
By listening to young people, providing teachers with critical support, and investing in future leaders, Atkins is proving that her impact extends far beyond basketball. Through her foundation, she’s empowering communities—one classroom at a time.
