Conversations with RESHANDA GRAY

Today we’d like to introduce you to RESHANDA GRAY.

Hi RESHANDA, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Reshanda Gray is a Los Angeles native who is still actively playing professional basketball. She attended Washington Preparatory High School in South Central Los Angeles, where she earned a full scholarship to the University of California, Berkeley. During her time at UC Berkeley, she had an outstanding career on the court, winning a league championship, making NCAA appearances all four years, reaching the NCAA Final Four, and being named Conference Player of the Year in 2015, along with many other accolades.

Upon completing her degree in 2015, she became the first person in her family to graduate with honors from college, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Social Welfare.

Following her time at UC Berkeley, Reshanda pursued a career as a professional basketball player in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), being drafted in the second round as the 16th overall pick by the Minnesota Lynx. Gray has over seven years of experience playing in the WNBA, having played for multiple teams, including the LA Sparks, New York Liberty(2x), Seattle Storm, Phoenix Mercury, Atlanta Dream, and Connecticut Sun. In addition to the WNBA, she has extended her talents overseas, playing professionally in Italy ( four seasons), Hungary, South Korea (two seasons), Turkey, Spain and currently in Italy.

Off the court, Reshanda is passionate about social welfare. Growing up in poverty and experiencing homelessness in her younger years, she had multiple interactions with social workers. At that time, in South Central Los Angeles, there were limited opportunities to help keep kids out of trouble or guide them through tough times the “GRAY AREA.” However, one organization provided after-school support, which Reshanda attended. That experience changed her perspective on the world she lived in and introduced her to lifelong mentors. Inspired by that program, she founded her own nonprofit in 2017, the No Gray Areas Foundation.

No Gray Areas’ (NGA) mission is to provide love, support, and opportunities to young women and girls at critical decision-making points in life through academics, socials, and athletic opportunities. NGA aims to create and facilitate a safe space, offer financial support and mentorship, skill development, and organize events that uplift young girls and women while benefiting the community.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t been a smooth road, but I’m truly thankful and blessed for my community and support system they’ve always shown up for me. That’s my “why” and what keeps me going. I love my city because it shaped who I am today, and the least I can do is give back through No Gray Areas, especially to foster youth, since I spent a lot of time in the system myself.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in playing professional basketball, but for me, it’s always been bigger than the game. I’m the Founder and CEO of No Gray Areas, a social service program that mentors young girls who find themselves in life’s “gray areas” moments of uncertainty involving confidence, career paths, or personal challenges.

My journey is one of resilience, faith, and purpose. Growing up in South Central Los Angeles, I was surrounded by drugs, violence, and instability. The mentors and after-school programs that supported me became my lifeline and inspired me to do the same for others. That’s why I created No Gray Areas to give young women the same love, support, and opportunities that changed my life.

I’m most proud of creating a name for myself and using my platform to help others. Basketball gave me a voice, but service gives that voice purpose. What sets me apart is that everything I do comes from real experience I’ve lived many of the same struggles as the girls I mentor. I can relate to them because I’ve walked that path and found a way out, and I want them to know they can too.

Growing up, Kobe Bryant was my role model because he showed that you’re never too big to give back. I promised myself that when I made it, I would do the same. Now, I’m living that promise using my story to empower others and remind them that no matter where you start, you can rise above your circumstances and become something great.

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
God brings me happiness first and foremost, he allowed me to overcome so much and write my own story. What else makes me happy is seeing my people thrive and my community come together to create real change. I came from nothing, so every moment I get to give back and see others win means everything to me. There’s nothing like seeing the smiles on our beautiful babies’ faces when they receive a new toy or shoes, or when they realize there are people out here who truly care. What makes me happiest is being a change in my community and staying true to who I am while doing it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://nograyareas.org
• Instagram: nograyareasfoundation
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reshanda-gray
• Twitter: nograyareas21