Moore Truth

BY BECKY OSKIN

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, communication major Mahiri Moore Jr. harnessed the power of his nonprofit foundation to help vulnerable kids. Volunteers mobilized a book drive and donated 1,516 books to children in Victorville, California. A Marvel fan, Moore also dressed up as Black Panther to deliver books in Davis.

Moore founded his nonprofit, Moore Truth More Change, as a high school senior to empower and inspire underprivileged and underrepresented youth. “I hope to become a role model for kids who think the only way out of their environment is through sports,” he said. Now a college sophomore, he also produces a podcast that features interviews with successful professionals who came from an underprivileged background.

His efforts were recognized this year by Chancellor Gary S. May and the Sacramento Kings. May received one of the team’s 2021 Dream All-Star Awards honoring Black community leaders during Black History Month, and chose Moore to share the honor.

Moore said that growing up in Southern California’s Inland Empire, he and his friends idolized basketball players and dreamed of going pro themselves. Now, Moore says, he can tell people, “You don’t have to dribble a basketball to make it to the NBA.”

Listen to Moore Truth More Change podcast