Play Forward. Grow Forward.
About GenForward
GenForward Sports began with Coach Amara’s belief that sports should feel welcoming, joyful, and accessible to every child. She saw how intimidating it can be for kids to try something new (especially a new sport) where pressure, comparison, and fear of “getting it wrong” can take the fun out of play. At the same time, more kids were spending time on screens instead of moving, connecting, and building confidence, a shift that only grew after COVID-19.
GenForward was created to change that experience.
Through engaging enrichment and after-school partnerships, we reintroduce sports as a place where kids can be brave, make friends, and discover what their bodies and minds can do. Our programs support mental well-being, confidence, resilience, and teamwork, skills that matter just as much as dribbling or scoring. Most importantly, we keep sports fun, positive, and pressure-free, so every child can feel proud of trying, growing, and playing their way forward.
Meet the Founder of GenForward: Amarachi Chidom!
As a Bay Area native who grew up in Oakland, sports have always been central to my life. I began high school at Bishop O'Dowd High School before transitioning to boarding school, two very different environments that pushed me to grow. Through those changes, being part of a team helped me stay confident, adapt, and build meaningful relationships. Sports gave me stability, community, and a sense of belonging.
I grew up in a sports family, where competition, commitment, and support for one another were simply part of daily life. I later attended Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens, continuing my athletic journey at the collegiate level.
As I’ve watched the next generation grow up, I’ve been excited, but I’ve also noticed gaps in confidence, connection, and inclusion. I wanted to create a space where every child feels welcomed, supported, and empowered to grow.
GenForward Sports is that space!
We use sports as the vehicle, but our purpose goes far beyond the game. We focus on building confidence, discipline, resilience, and strong communication, helping young athletes not only develop their skills but also believe in themselves and in each other.
