Belia Zibowa was born and raised in Zimbabwe. A very tall and athletic child, her height often made her feel self-conscious. “Growing up, I used to slouch all the time,” she says. “I wanted to fit in so bad. Then one day I stepped onto the basketball court and literally, this moment changed my life. On the court, I stood up for the first time. I lifted my body, put my shoulders back, and stood tall. Basketball changed the way I felt about myself.”

Upon graduating university, Belia became the manager for a provincial women’s basketball team and three years later was elected Vice President of Promotions for the Basketball Union of Zimbabwe. Currently the Regional Program Director at Africa Outreach USA, Belia hopes to serve as a positive example for what is possible for young girls in Zimbabwe. “The environment in which we live is stifling our young people. We have to find a way for hard work to matter again; for dreams to become reality. I want basketball to be the tool that opens doors for these young girls. I want them to see that it is not just basketball, but opportunities for education, for travel, and for sports administration careers.”