Lacing Up for Impact
In this episode of Unified Purpose, Daniela sits down with Tim and Kate Nazareth, the husband-and-wife duo behind Lace Up, a nonprofit dedicated to getting underprivileged youth in Los Angeles access to basketball—starting with the most basic need: a pair of shoes. Born during the pandemic, Lace Up began with a single donation and grew into a full-fledged nonprofit that supports kids from elementary school through college. Tim and Kate share the journey of building community partnerships, overcoming communication gaps with underserved families, and navigating the behind-the-scenes challenges of running a nonprofit while juggling full-time jobs. From starting the first girls’ basketball team at a charter school in East LA to watching a 7-year-old fall in love with basketball for the very first time, this conversation is a moving look into the daily work—and real impact—of grassroots community support.
Episode 32 of the Unified Purpose podcast, hosted by Penji, titled "Lacing Up for Impact" was published on August 12, 2025 and runs 31 minutes.
August 12, 2025 ·31m · Unified Purpose
Summary
In this episode of Unified Purpose, Daniela sits down with Tim and Kate Nazareth, the husband-and-wife duo behind Lace Up, a nonprofit dedicated to getting underprivileged youth in Los Angeles access to basketball—starting with the most basic need: a pair of shoes. Born during the pandemic, Lace Up began with a single donation and grew into a full-fledged nonprofit that supports kids from elementary school through college. Tim and Kate share the journey of building community partnerships, overcoming communication gaps with underserved families, and navigating the behind-the-scenes challenges of running a nonprofit while juggling full-time jobs. From starting the first girls’ basketball team at a charter school in East LA to watching a 7-year-old fall in love with basketball for the very first time, this conversation is a moving look into the daily work—and real impact—of grassroots community support.
Episode Description
Three Things You’ll Learn:
Why access—not talent—is often the biggest barrier to youth sports participation
From sneakers to basketballs, the resources needed to play aren’t always available. Lace Up helps close that gap.
How building trust with coaches, parents, and schools turns donations into community growth
Learn how Tim and Kate adapt their outreach and communication styles to better connect with the communities they serve.
What it really takes to run a nonprofit: fundraising, logistics, and a lot of grit
Discover the surprising reality of nonprofit work and how passion turns into impact—one email, waiver, and pair of shoes at a time.
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