In the heart of Harlem, New York, one man has transformed the futures of over 400 African-American and Latino young men without fanfare and without funding. Youman Wilder, the founder and president of the Harlem Baseball Hitting Academy Inc., has built a legacy rooted in discipline, mentorship, and academic excellence. Wilder holds a Psychology and Criminal justice degree. As well as a Master's Degree in Law.
 

Since its inception, the Academy has celebrated 390 college graduates, including over 370 bachelor’s degrees, 10 MBAs, and 3 doctorates. Most remarkably, 100% of the youth who have entered the Academy have graduated from college. Not one has been lost to the streets of Harlem, the South Bronx, or Washington Heights.
 

Though baseball draws them in, it’s education that keeps them.

Many of the Academy’s members have gone on to attend top universities like Stanford, Tufts, Princeton, Penn, Morehouse, UCLA, Temple, South Carolina, Virginia, and Bucknell, among many others. 
 

The Academy's reach is especially powerful given its humble resources. With no formal training facility, Wilder and his athletes train in the streets of Harlem—rain, shine, or snow. When temperatures drop, they rent public spaces, stretching every dollar to keep the mission alive.
 

Wilder, a Brooklyn native and graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School, made his mark in the early 1980s alongside 1st overall draft pick Shawon Dunston. Today, with little support, he’s created a pipeline of success for hundreds of young men—many of whom come from public housing, shelters, and single-parent households.
 

The Academy’s accolades span far beyond academics. Members have gone on to win P.S.A.L., Catholic League, and Private School championships, as well as NCAA Division I National Championships. HBHA alumni include a 2018 American League Championship MVP, a 2018 World Series winner, a 2016 MLB All-Star starter, 55 Perfect Game All-Americans, 25 Under Armour All-Americans, 10 Aflac All-Americans, 5 Team USA Gold Medalists, and 4 Gatorade Players of the Year. One even earned a place in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
 

What sets HBHA apart is not just its commitment to baseball, but its unwavering belief in lifelong learning. Wilder’s guiding mantra is "THERE ARE NO VICTIMS IN LIFE. JUST VOLUNTEERS