Andrew Lovedale
Aug. 11. By Dave Yochum. Access to Success (A2S), a non-profit based in Davidson, is hosting their annual fundraising event the evening of Oct. 8 at Vail Commons on the Davidson College campus.
International reach
Founded by a Davidson alum Andrew Lovedale, it focuses on providing sustainable programs that generate positive change for Nigerian children and their communities.
Lovedale is a former Davidson basketball player—his teammate was Steph Curry—who grew up in Benin City, Nigeria, where A2S focuses its work. Lovedale went on to play basketball abroad professionally, primarily in France.
Background
After the opportunities Lovedale was afforded that brought him to Davidson College, he decided he wanted to provide that love and consistency to children like him back home. What began as an outreach program is now an organization dedicated to providing sustainable programs that generate positive change for kids and community.
A2S serves about 10,000 children and youth each year, with the opportunity to reach more with our newly built facility.
The Youth Center
After 12 years of developing primarily educational and entrepreneurial programs in Nigeria, A2S opened a Youth Center facility. This year’s fundraising event will celebrate this milestone for the organization and support the operational cost of the facility which will serve 240 children daily as well as provide resources for A2S’s 62 university scholars and space for a variety of community outreach events.
Season of Promise
A2S is in their Season of Promise—a 10-year period of growth where they plan to be a more financially sustainable organization.
A2S has an annual budget of about $1 million.
Lovedale is founder and president, but functionally he is executive director. He visits the team in Nigeria quarterly and is otherwise here in the Davidson office full time.
This is his calling—he doesn’t take a salary from A2S.
The event
This year’s Soulful Supper will consist of a VIP hour, social hour, and main event with a presentation from Lovedale and other key members of Access to Success.
A traditional Nigerian meal will be served for the main event.
Click here to buy tickets.
