Two players leap toward the basket during a basketball game between the Jewtown Ballers and the Peacemakers at Trenton and Auburn Playground on August 12, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)
On Aug. 12, the community came together at Trenton and Auburn Playground and Park, home of the Jewtown Ballers, for a summer league game against the Peacemakers, organized as part of the Free Kensington Community Basketball League.
Neighbors filled the sidelines as children played nearby and families watched the game unfold. The Peacemakers took the win, giving the Jewtown Ballers their first loss this season.
Organized by NKCDC’s Cure Violence team and Esperanza Health Center, the summer league creates safe spaces for young men in Kensington through basketball and mentorship.
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Check out our photos from the summer league below 👇
(Center) Qameela sits with Royal and Xyliek on her lap as bubbles float through the air and the sun sets at Trenton and Auburn Playground on August 12, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)Community members line the court during a basketball game between the Peacemakers and the Jewtown Ballers at Trenton and Auburn Playground on August 12, 2025.(Photo by Solmaira Valerio)(From left) Tyreek Counts, a Cure Violence outreach worker and co-founder of the basketball league; Dante Singleton and Nathan Riley, both outreach workers with Cure Violence; and Brenda Collier, corridor steward with NKCDC, watch the game from the sidelines at Trenton and Auburn Playground on August 12, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)Two players leap toward the basket during a basketball game between the Jewtown Ballers and the Peacemakers at Trenton and Auburn Playground on August 12, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)(Right) Referee Ron McClain directs the game during a basketball matchup between the Jewtown Ballers and the Peacemakers at Trenton and Auburn Playground on August 12, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)(From left) Antwan, Twan GLO, and Yahshua sit along the court as they wait for the basketball game between the Peacemakers and the Jewtown Ballers to begin at Trenton and Auburn Playground on August 12, 2025.Jenna rides a toy car across the court at Trenton and Auburn Playground passing a basketball to Royal (right) on August 12, 2025,. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)(Center) Gwendolyn Walker, president of the Trenton Playground Advisory Council, watches a basketball game between the Peacemakers and the Jewtown Ballers at Trenton and Auburn Playground on August 12, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)Players from the Peacemakers and the Jewtown Ballers shake hands after finishing their game at Trenton and Auburn Playground on August 12, 2025. The Peacemakers won the match, part of a free basketball league organized by NKCDC’s Cure Violence team. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)Luis Ramos-Soto, coach of the Peacemakers and bilingual assistant program manager of public safety, stands on the sidelines guiding his team during a basketball game at Trenton and Auburn Playground on August 12, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)Marcquise McNair, a player with the Peacemakers, holds his son Aizhon after the team’s win at Trenton and Auburn Playground on August 12, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)As the sun sets, community members gather along the court at Trenton and Auburn Playground to watch the basketball game on August 12, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)Royal rides a toy car across the court at Trenton and Auburn Playground as Jenna walks alongside on August 12, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)
Solmaira Valerio is a North Philly–born photographer and musician whose work draws on their cultural roots to capture the energy, vulnerability, and authenticity of communities while challenging stereotypes and stigma.
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