Kendall Hamilton and his mom, Dr. Gigi, the founders of Game Changer Academy, which they created to help more African American gamers become successful and get NIL deals. In the highly competitive world of esports, Kendall, a young gamer himself, rose to become one of the top 10 Rocket League players globally while still a senior in high school.
Supporting him every step of the way was his mom, Dr. Gigi, who initially did not support her son’s gaming passion. However, she later made the crucial decision to embrace his potential in gaming rather than pushing him toward her personal expectations. This shift led to Kendall’s tremendous success.
Now the two are working together to help other Black families do the same — turn their children’s gaming skills into pathways for success. They’ve already helped gamers get more than $150,000 in NIL deals. NIL stands for Name, Image, and Likeness, and it refers to the rights of college athletes to receive financial compensation for the use of their name, image, and likeness in marketing and promotional activities.
When Kendall was first starting out as a professional gamer, he was offered multiple scholarships, including three full-ride opportunities, and a lucrative NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deal. He later rose to be one of the top 15 players globally. Now, he serves as both a performance improvement coach and a mental health advocate, helping other young gamers succeed beyond the screen.
His mom, Dr. Gigi, who is a licensed psychotherapist, workforce development expert, and organizational psychologist, uses her experience to guide Black families in transforming their children from super-consumers of gaming products into professionals who use their skills to secure scholarships, NIL deals, and fulfilling careers. Together, this mother-son duo provides expert coaching that bridges gaming, mental health, and career development, helping families see the possibilities that lie beyond the console.
Their upcoming event, Game On: Virtual Experience – Gaming, Mental Health, and Personal Development, is specifically designed to help Black families and young gamers. This event, taking place on November 4th from 6-8 pm EST, provides insights into the intersection of gaming, mental health, and personal development. Attendees will learn how to transform gaming from a pastime into a tool for empowerment and financial success.
Kendall and Dr. Gigi are committed to helping the Black community rewrite the narrative around gaming. They aim to help young gamers leverage their skills to access scholarship opportunities, NIL deals, and long-term career success. As performance coaches and advocates for Black families, they guide parents in understanding their children’s unique strengths in gaming and how to turn those strengths into powerful, life-changing opportunities.
Gamers and parents are encouraged to attend their next virtual event by registering here.
For more information, visit their website at Game Changer Academy
For press inquiries or media interviews, contact [email protected] or (704) 968-2253
SOURCE: blacknews.com
