Founders Story
88 Solez was created out of both experience and responsibility.
Growing up in Philadelphia, basketball was more than a game. It was structure, community, and a consistent space to grow. It provided access to environments, relationships, and opportunities that extended far beyond the court. At the same time, it became clear that not every girl was given the same level of exposure, support, or encouragement to fully explore her potential.
That awareness stayed with me.
Over time, I built a career in workforce development, organizational strategy, and public service, focusing on how systems can be designed to create access and equity at scale. That work provided a deeper understanding of what it takes to build something sustainable, intentional, and impactful.
88 Solez is where those two worlds meet.
It was created with a clear purpose: to give back to the city that shaped me by building something that expands what girls see as possible for themselves. Not just within basketball, but in how they understand their identity, their voice, and their place in the world.
This is not about creating another program. It is about creating a different kind of experience.
Through initiatives like Sole Stories, girls are given space to explore who they are while developing as athletes. They are encouraged to think beyond the game, to see themselves as multidimensional, and to move with confidence in spaces that may not have always been designed for them.
88 Solez reflects a belief that when girls are supported with intention, access, and exposure, they do more than succeed. They begin to define their own paths.
And for me, this work is personal. It is about returning to where it started, and building something that ensures the next generation of girls from Philadelphia has both the opportunity and the space to fully become who they are.
Aliyah M. Abraham - Founder
Aliyah M. Abraham is the founder of 88 Solez, a Philadelphia-based initiative focused on developing confident, capable, and self-aware young women through basketball, mentorship, and intentional exposure.
A Philadelphia native, Aliyah created 88 Solez as an extension of both her lived experience and her professional work. Her career has centered on building pathways for access, leadership, and long-term development, particularly for girls and women navigating spaces where opportunity is not always evenly distributed.
She has served on multiple boards, including the Arcadia University Board of Trustees, and is the founder of the BAAAU Travel Fund, which provides financial support for students of the African diaspora to study abroad. These efforts reflect a broader commitment to expanding how young people see themselves and the world around them.
Aliyah holds a Master’s degree in Organizational Development and Leadership and brings experience in workforce management and human capital strategy. Her work is grounded in building structured, sustainable models that prioritize both access and impact.
As a coach, mentor, and advocate, she approaches development holistically, with a focus on identity, confidence, and long-term growth. Through 88 Solez, she partners with community leaders and organizations to create opportunities that support girls not only in sport, but in how they navigate school, career, and life.
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