SUMMER 2022 / REAL-LEADERS.COM 79 LEADING LEADERS Investing Pro Athletes on Impact Investing: ‘Capital GetsThings Done’ A group of professional athletes have come together to show how investing can generate beneficial social impact — alongside healthy financial returns capital, influencing culture, and creating a community.” The group’s membership is a Who’s Who of elite athletes and includes NBA champions, pro bowlers, and Super Bowl winners. But it’s what members are doing outside the game that may eclipse their stardom. Among I AM Nation’s members are ex-NFL linebacker Spencer Paysinger, the producer, creator, and writer of All American, the successful CW Network series inspired by his life; Cliff Avril, Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl champion and pro bowler, who is today a real estate entrepreneur; former New Orleans Saint Marcus Colston, a professor at the University Over the past year, in communities across the country, Derrick Morgan has quietly built the Dream Team of impact investors. With a unique playbook and the grit and determination that made him a star linebacker for the Tennessee Titans, in 2021 Morgan launched I AM Nation, a network of 40 professional athletes that have come together to share knowledge, pool resources, and educate each other on ways to meet collective goals in business and impact investing. By building a collective of athlete investors, I AM Nation has the influence and critical mass needed to break down barriers and open opportunities for its members and the communities they come from. “I AM Nation is the go-to platform for the athlete that has ambition to continue to grow after the game,” says Morgan. “It’s centered around group economics, and the common thread is the greater good and giving back. We’re investing together, building our networks, and finding creative ways to give back to our communities.” Leger Douzable, a former defensive lineman who’s now a college and professional football broadcaster, adds: “What do we want to accomplish with our investments? It’s all about leveraging “The power of I AM Nation to pool resources and assets brings an advantage to the community over other investment groups.” — JOHNATHAN CYPRIEN 76 MONEY 77 CLIMATE ACTION 78 SOCIAL IMPACT 74 INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY 79 INVESTING
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