Markeshia Grant, a former Division I basketball player, and Rhiannon Potkey, a four-sport athlete in high school and veteran sportswriter, have been honored as the 11th class of Toyota Everyday Heroes. The program recognizes individuals making a difference for women and girls in their local communities through sports.
Each honoree received a $25,000 grant for their nonprofit organization.
Based in Omaha, Nebraska, Grant is the executive director of EPIC for Girls, which provides opportunities for girls of color through funding and resources. Potkey founded Goods4Greatness to ensure every child has access to the equipment needed to participate in sports.
“We provide sports like basketball, volleyball, soccer, golf,” said Grant, who noted that with flag football on the rise, EPIC for Girls will be adding that to its services. “The grant is an incredible opportunity for us to move our mission forward. We’re focused on the whole athlete. That’s mental preparedness, nutrition and hydration, and injury prevention. Those funds can go toward making sure our student-athletes are equipped mind, body, and soul.”
Potkey runs Goods4Greatness by herself, which includes all the fundraising, in addition to holding a full-time job and two part-time jobs. “Literally, this is life-changing,” she said. “I have hundreds of kids I still need to help, but I wasn’t able to because I didn’t have the funding yet. This will enable me to make a dent into that.”
EPIC for Girls was created in 2021 to build a more inclusive sports ecosystem where girls can develop confidence, resilience, leadership, and a sense of belonging, “making sure girls have safe places to play, making sure they have affordable access to sports, and also they’re learning skills that will transfer into life,” said Grant, who played at the University of South Carolina under coach Dawn Staley from 2010–12. “I’ve always wanted to be part of something bigger than myself.”
“I never felt that income should dictate whether a child could play sports; I don’t think that’s fair,” said Potkey. Founded in 2018, Goods4Greatness purchases new sports equipment for low-income kids across the country, and partner with college programs to redistribute new and used equipment to youth teams in need. “There are so many positives and life skills you get out of sports. I want to give every kid a chance on an equal playing field to have access to sports.”
Both women played point guard in their hoop days. “I love being a team player and helping others,” said Potkey. “You have to be able to relate and collaborate,” said Grant.
