Corinthia Benison

Hi, my name is Corinthia Love Benison, Founder/Executive Director of RCM. This is not a bio; here is my story. I was born and raised in Harlem in a single parent household with my loving mother and two siblings. Growing up I witnessed the impacts of substance abuse, drugs, and violence in my community. At the age of 10, I picked up a basketball and my life changed forever. I could not put it down! My early enrollment in community-based organizations fostered my growth and fueled my passion for basketball. At 14, with my mom’s consent, I made a life changing decision to attend Holderness School, a prestigious boarding school in New Hampshire. I wanted out of Harlem. There I was exposed to the outdoors, a challenging academic environment, and my view of the world expanded. I began to flourish in my education which translated to basketball, and other team sports. Harlem has always stayed with me though: I missed my family, friends, the food, and cultural diversity. By my Junior year, I was a New England All-Star, invited to play at Pat Summit’s (the most winningest coach in NCAA history) Elite Camp, and spent my summers traveling while playing for NYC Exodus Hoops and Abyssinian Baptist Church. My exposure led to a scholarship to play Division I basketball at the University of Delaware (a few notable alumni: our president Joe Biden and first lady Dr. Jill Biden, super bowl champion Joe Flacco, and Elena Della Donne WNBA All-Star). This chapter in my life came with a new set of challenges. Balancing intense fitness and training, my rigorous academic schedule, personal gym time, and a social life was hard. Throughout my four years I managed the challenges of winning and losing as a team, missing the cultural diversity of home, and at times it became mentally stressful. By my senior year I figured out how to incorporate where I am from and where I was going in my life. I graduated in 2010 with a degree in Political Science and Government and minor in legal studies. I returned home to Harlem where I worked in Health care for 10 years. Basketball taught me discipline, teamwork, and accountability. Every step in my journey I was faced with challenges, but it was my faith, perseverance, resilience, and the support of loved ones that got me through life's highs and lows. I understand and relate to challenges youth face today as they develop and find their place in the world. I came back to Harlem to help improve the lives of young people and to give back what was given to me.