As an innovative Founder, esteemed Career Basketball Coach, and former Professional Basketball Player, Marquetta “Coach Q” Dickens has devoted her 16-year career to fostering growth and development in value-aligned environments. Dickens is steadfast in her mission to generate opportunities that nurture personal growth and empower individuals to realize their potential and contribute meaningfully to society.

Dickens is the driving force behind Freedom Org, a Community Development Corporation committed to devising comprehensive, holistic solutions for traditionally under-resourced areas. Guided by her commitment to living faithfully and upholding her family’s legacy of societal transformation, she founded the organization to foster economic development, equitable educational alternatives, agricultural independence, and the preservation of heritage within these communities.

With a Bachelor’s degree in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management, her educational background lays a strong foundation for her work. Additionally, Dickens earned a Master’s degree in Student Affairs & College Counseling. This advanced education not only underscores her belief in the importance of education but also shapes her coaching-centric leadership style.

Throughout her career, Dickens has applied her developmental approach predominantly in the sports sphere. As a career basketball coach and therapist, her leadership style – characterized by positivity, determination, and an ethos of hard work aligns seamlessly with her community endeavors. Dickens’ experience as a Head Coach, Assistant Coach, and Assistant Director of Athletics has enabled her to cultivate emerging leaders both on and off the court at esteemed educational institutions, including William Peace University, College of St. Elizabeth, Community College of Philadelphia, Monmouth University, and North Carolina Central University.

As Chair of the NCAA Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee, Dickens has utilized her influential voice to boost Leadership Development, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in sports. And her dedicated involvement in the NCAA panel, ‘Growing the Game: Women’s Basketball in the Spotlight, ‘and Program Director for Own Your Energy further reinforces her unwavering commitment to this cause.

Dickens’ journey from professional basketball player to respected community leader has propelled those around her, equipping individuals with valuable skills and fostering environments ripe for impact. Her dynamic approach to societal innovation, complemented by her extensive professional experience and firmly rooted values, allows her to constantly create spaces for leaders to unleash their potential and make a difference in their communities. As Dickens strides into the future, her vision remains resolute: a world where everyone is empowered to carve their own path to greatness.

Nanna Rivers, is a big ball of ENERGY, love, light and peace. Physically, Nanna shows up in the world as a mother, life partner, friend, CEO of Own Your Energy and Nanna Rivers Coaching, Energy Leadership Index Master Practitioner, Certified Professional Coach, Reiki Master Teacher, Meditation Teacher, Speaker, Women’s Basketball Hall Of Famer, European Professional Basketball Champion, Division 1 Women’s Basketball Collegiate Coach, NC State Women’s Basketball Player, and a NCAA Division 1 Basketball Referee.

Nanna attended NCState University and was a women’s basketball 4 year letter winner under the Legendary Coach Kay Yow. Afterwards, she went on to play professional basketball in Europe for 5 years. Shortly after playing, she decided to continue to give back to the game as a Division 1 basketball coach and a
NCAA Division 1 basketball referee, under the likes of Anne Donovan and Charlene Curtis.

Nanna realized that something was missing from sports. In every sector of the game the focus was majorly on the physical game and the mental, emotional, spiritual and cellular level of the game were hardly ever discussed in depth.

Certified since 2013 in Coaching and as an Energy Leadership Index Master Practitioner from the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (IPEC). These certifications revealed to Nanna that the sports world needed a holistic journey.

Now, Nanna is the CEO of OWN YOUR ENERGY where they provide a variety of services that holistically supports their clients mental, emotional and physically health. They promote mastering self awareness to effectively leverage energy leadership. Ultimately, they equip you to win in the game of life.