Financial Literacy Advocate & Former Professional Basketball Player with The Basketball League

Michael Simpson, a native of North Chicago, Illinois, made a name for himself as a standout basketball player. Earning a collegiate scholarship, he began his journey at Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, WI, where he played a pivotal role in securing a national championship. Seeking new challenges, he transferred to Saint Xavier University in Chicago, IL, helping his team win their conference title and earning All-American Honorable Mention. With an unrelenting drive, he dedicated himself to the game, determined to take his talent to the professional level. For six years, Michael relentlessly trained and pursued his dream of playing professionally, facing constant setbacks but never losing faith. His perseverance paid off when he earned a spot with the San Diego Waves in The Basketball League (TBL). However, his professional career was short-lived, and upon returning home, he found himself searching for a new purpose. During this transition, he co-founded “Rar Attire” with a childhood friend, experiencing early success but ultimately facing unforeseen challenges that slowed the business down. It wasn’t until he began coaching and training youth basketball through Simpson Elite Training, a program he built with his brother, that his true passion revealed itself—mentorship and community impact. Determined to make a lasting difference, Michael took on a role as a behavior para in his local school district, building meaningful relationships within the community. However, he knew he wanted more—to create something of his own that would solve a major issue affecting his people. Recognizing the lack of financial literacy as a generational barrier, he invested nearly $700 dollars into earning financial education credentials through the NFEC. His mission became clear: to equip young people with the knowledge and resources to take control of their financial futures. Through his dedication to financial literacy, mentorship, and youth development, Michael is committed to helping the next generation break cycles and build generational wealth.

TBL and the NFEC work together to spread financial literacy throughout TBL’s professional sports league communities. This campaign kicked off in 2020 with the objective to train TBL teams, executives, and staff how to teach personal finance. Other partners that generously support the campaign include Barons, Broad St. South Podcast with Angel Martinez, and the fans and teams in the 49 TBL cities.