Movement Nurtures Growth
Creating opportunities for every child to play—body, mind, and heart.
Every Child Deserves The Power of Play
Uniting communities to build safe spaces for sports and play.
Building Fields, Building Futures
From Tallahassee to Los Angeles, we’re changing lives through play.
Playing for Keeps Association creates opportunities for children to play by uniting communities and advocating the truth that movement nurtures growth—body, mind, and heart.
Why it matters
Sports and play are not luxuries—they are essential to childhood and health. They build wellbeing, resilience, teamwork, and confidence. Yet across the U.S., too many communities lack safe, sustainable fields. Playing for Keeps is closing this gap with state-of-the-art, high-quality turf projects that change lives.
Leadership
Dr. Mimi Nartey is an educator, social entrepreneur, and former professional soccer player who represented Ghana in the FIFA Women’s World Cup. A Columbia University alumnus, she holds multiple advanced degrees in environmental biology and public health, and her work bridges sports, education, and community development. She has also taught courses in environmental sciences, public and global health, and women’s sports and empowerment at UCLA, Occidental College, and Loyola Marymount University.
Mimi has been recognized as a Modern Luxury “Dynamic Woman” and a Los Angeles Power Couple (with her husband, luxury real estate broker Kofi Nartey). She co-founded the Nartey Sports Foundation and has delivered a TEDx Talk on sports and empowerment. As a scholar, philanthropist, coach, and mother, she is committed to expanding access to sports as a driver of health, opportunity, and equity.
Dr. Mimi Nartey
Founding president
Projects
Every project creates space for children to move, play, and grow. Together with local partners and communities, we’re building safe places where play belongs to everyone.
North Hollywood, CA
Art, Sport, and Community
A full-sized turf field featured in an upcoming documentary, capturing the stories of young people finding identity and belonging through play, together with CAMPO and Athlete by Design.
Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, CA
Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, CA
A small-sided turf soccer field built on land that held a historic police station, now a symbol of restorative justice and community resilience, together with the Little Tokyo Business Association.
Tallahassee, FL
Champions Ranch Youth Sports Facility
A new turf field at this facility, founded by the Tonja and Charlie Ward Foundation, that develops character and leadership alongside athletic skills.
Chattanooga, TN
Lift After School Recreation Center
A new playground at this center, providing a safe, vibrant, and inclusive space where children can move, learn, and grow.
MacArthur Park, LA
Revitalizing a Landmark
A potential project to transform this historic public space, once known for struggle, into a new symbol of civil pride and possibility.
Apply for a grant
Exciting news is on the horizon! Soon, you will be able to apply for a grant to support your community sports project. Stay tuned for further details on how you can help transform your community’s play space from the ground up!
Get in Touch
Have a question or want to get involved?
We’re here to help you connect, support, and keep play alive for every child.