Our Founder's Story

 Derrious C. Gilmore is the founder of Gilmore Community Project and a Baltimore native whose journey reflects the power of perseverance, mentorship, and community. Growing up in Baltimore City, he overcame significant challenges after a coach chose to see his potential when many others did not—a pivotal moment that would shape his future and inspire his commitment to serving youth.

Basketball opened doors that led Derrious to collegiate opportunities in Florida, Mississippi, and Wyoming. He graduated from the University of Wyoming in 2013 with a bachelor's degree in social work before pursuing a professional basketball career in Europe. Through his experiences as an athlete, he traveled internationally, gained exposure to diverse cultures, and developed a broader perspective on leadership and personal growth.

After a career-ending foot injury in 2017, Derrious returned home and began coaching basketball at his alma mater, Lake Clifton High School. In his first season on the coaching staff, the team won a Maryland State Championship. He later earned his Commercial Driver's License in 2019 and launched a career in the transportation industry, demonstrating the adaptability and determination that have defined his path.

For more than a decade, Derrious has invested in Baltimore's youth through mentorship, basketball training, life-skills development, and community engagement. Today, he leads Gilmore Community Project with a simple but powerful belief: every young person deserves the opportunity, support, and guidance needed to realize their full potential.