OUR MISSION

The SmileForJosh Foundation’s mission is to transform the lives of inner-city youth with community events, athletics, and mentorships as well as raise awareness of cardiac health risk in high school student-athletes through education and advocacy. We are a certified 501(c)(3) non-profit organization formed in honor of Joshua Christian Level.

Established in 2017
OUR CURRENT PROJECTS

Goal:  $5000

Donated 36%
The S4J Scholarship Fund

The SmileForJosh Scholarship Fund rewards students attending Guilford County Schools. The Scholarship Fund honors Josh Level, a high level student-athlete who passed far too soon.

Goal:  $10000

Donated 6%
The 2020 Josh Level Classic

In May 2020, we want to take the Josh Level Classic to new heights! Let’s keep the tradition alive and make this year’s Classic the best one yet!

Goal: $5000

Donated 4%
The Smile. Documentary Premiere

Details coming soon!

THE JOSH LEVEL CLASSIC

Our headline event…

Now in our 7th year, the JLC has been our Foundation’s marquee event to date. Since its inception in 2014, the event has been growing in popularity and recognition. To date, we have had 12 NBA Players participate in the event, and 95 Division-I student athletes overall.

The Josh Level Classic is a National Charity Showcase Event featuring some of the nation’s top high school basketball players annually. North Carolina has garnered the title of the “HoopState” the past several years as the grassroots scene is loaded with talent. The Josh Level Classic brings in all of the top players from the state and beyond to compete, as well as honor someone who was once in their shoes.This annual event brings together the community and has more than 1000 fans come to Greensboro, NC to watch each year.

A WORD FROM OUR FOUNDER, KANAYO OBI-RAPU

“The Smile For Josh Foundation is a way for everyone in the community to actively give back and help make a brighter future for the youth. I made a promise to Josh that I would keep his legacy alive through helping the community we grew up in. We want to ensure that the children in our communities are given opportunities to succeed and reach their full potential We were always told we were going to be the generation that changes the world – Let’s Start Today!”

Our Past Events
27 Sep10:32
27 Sep10:32
Sep 2018
Sep 2018
back2schooldrive

SmileForJosh x P.O.E. Community Day and Back to School Drive

In August 2019, we partnered with an organization called P.O.E. to provide a Community Day and back to school drive for the youth in Greensboro. P.O.E. is led by former standout Division One athletes Sam Hunt and Diante Baldwin who were also former teammates of Josh. Additionally, we partnered with local barbershop Kingdom Cuts, where all students who showed up on Saturday received a free haircut, so that they could go back to school feeling confident as ever. Outside of the shop was a bounce house, music and food where all could come and enjoy the last Saturday of the summer. Together, we provided over 100 bookbags stuffed with school supplies, as well as two large containers full of miscellaneous supplies. Supplies were distributed to those who attended our event and the leftovers were dispersed throughout select schools in Guilford County.
26 Sep11:30
26 Sep11:30
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Level Up Basketball Camp

We partnered with the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club to put on a free basketball clinic for all of the students and kids at the club. Some of our JLC alumni came back to help coach and instruct the kids on drills. There were four stations working on skills such as shooting, ballhandling, and team play. Afterwards, there was a pizza party and hang out session!
27 Aug10:33
27 Aug10:33
Aug 2018
Aug 2018

Giving Back

The SmileForJosh Foundation partnered with the Triad Basketball Academy to sponsor a Christmas Giveaway for the youth of the inner-city of Greensboro, NC.
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27 Jul10:34
Jul 2018
Jul 2018
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Experiences

In partnering with some young NBA talent such as Bam Adebayo, Harry Giles, and Theo Pinson (all Josh Level Classic alums), we have been able to take some inner-city youth to several NBA games to check out some of their favorite basketball superstars.
01
INNER CITY YOUTH MENTORSHIP

Providing opportunities and experiences for the youth to build character and leadership skills.

02
STUDENT ATHLete cardiac health risk awareness

Often overlooked and under-stressed, cardiac health issues are the #1 cause of death on school campuses.

03
COMmunity events and development

Bringing together the community through self-empowering and inclusive events.

Our Team
jacob_honeycutt
Jake Honeycutt
COO
Reggie_perkins
Reggie Perkins
Vice President
kanayo_obirapu
Kanayo Obi-Rapu
President/Founder
christian_hairston
Christian Hairston
Executive Board Member
josephlevel
Joseph Level
Executive Board Member
Our Partners

In order to promote community service and build tomorrow’s leaders, the SmileForJosh Scholarship program grants one-time awards for $1,000 to high school students who are nominated or submit an application in recognition of their community service, academic performance, and leadership potential. Eligible candidates must reside in Guilford County, maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better, and be accepted to attend a 2 year or 4 year institution.

Year after year, we’ve been blessed to be able to make the Josh Level Classic the premiere Showcase Game in North Carolina, and thanks to the continuous support shown by this community through both time and money, the Josh Level Classic has now begun to grow on a national scale.

For next year’s game, we want to continue to take the Josh Level Classic to the next level! In previous years, we’ve been able to bring in the best talent in both North Carolina and surrounding states. This year is no different; you can count on the Josh Level Classic to showcase the very best that this region has to offer!

In addition to showcasing player talent at our game, we’ve also been able to showcase the talent of other members in our community; including partnering with apparel companies to produce Josh Level Classic gear, allowing for NC based content creators to stream our games, and letting fans grab food from local caterers in the Greensboro area.

As a board, we know that the success we have is due to the support that we receive from you, the community. The majority of the funds that we receive to put on this event comes from donations given by you and others. We need your help to keep this tradition alive. Our goal is to put on an unforgettable basketball event in honor of an unforgettable basketball player, friend, brother, and son. Donate today and let’s make this Josh Level Classic the best one yet!

In 2020 we are looking forward to yet another exciting event as we unveil the official SmileForJosh Foundation Documentary. For the last year and a half Kai McNeil, one of the most promising videographers in the state, has worked to shine a light on our Foundation as well as the Josh Level Classic Showcase Event. This film helps the world get an inside look at the work the young men of the SmileForJosh Board put in with the help of the community to honor Josh Level and keep his name alive.We formed our Non Profit Organization in 2017 as a way to transform the lives of inner city youth as well as raise awareness of cardiac health risk among student athletes. Our vision for the 2020 Documentary premier is to create an educational, yet fun and engaging event for the community. Here at the SmileForJosh Foundation we pride ourselves on using our platform to provide mentorship opportunities for those who are less fortunate, as well as collaborating with other foundations and organizations who align with our vision. Money raised for this event will be used to secure the venue, sponsor kids, bring in food and vendors as well as help provide giveaways for the youth and guests that attend such as clothing,posters, and other merchandise.