Honoring a Town Hero

By Maya Mackey

On August 16th, Subrina Miller, CEO and founder of the local Heads Up Foundation, was crowned a 2024 Playmaker by the Los Angeles Rams. Yes, those SUPERBOWL champion rams! The award came about through collaboration of three power players – The Rams Foundation, Los Angeles County of Parks and Recreation and Heads Up. 

The Los Angeles Rams spearheaded the pLAymakers program as a tribute to former Rams player, Kenny Washington. Washington, who spent his entire life in L.A., became the first Black person to sign a contract with the NFL after graduating from UCLA. He repped number 13 and due to his barrier breaking legacy, there are 13 pLAymakers that get selected every year and rewarded for their work the greater LA community. 

Subrina Miller was specifically chosen for being a beacon of light in Inglewood. Motivated by her personal hardships, Miller looked around and saw that she and her family were not so different from the other families in the community. Heartbroken by seeing kids show up to school without the proper attire or the necessary books and supplies, Miller decided to serve other families in spite of her own troubling circumstances. 

The LA Rams built a symbiotic relationship with Subrina Miller in 2016, just shy of their move back to the West Coast. Community outreach is at the core of the Rams organization and so once they caught word of the community service Heads Up carries out, they lent a helping hand. Subrina Miller volunteered at a later event and they have continued to support one another since moving into their permanent home at SoFi Stadium. 

“With the increase of gentrification, a lot of people have been left behind and I want to help them get back on course. I’m asking for donations that will support families in housing, clothing and shelter. But we don’t just service children, we service the whole family – parents who are looking for jobs or wondering how to start a business. A lot of those families who were struggling before work for us now.” 

The weather was great and the vibes were high that sunny Friday afternoon. Not only did Rampage, the Rams mascot and the LA Rams street crew come up to bless Heads Up with a $5,000 check, LA’S #1 Hip-Hop station, Power 106 came through to amp up the kids. They even did a raffle to reward hard working parents.

In addition to Power 106 and The Rams, there were activations from Planet Fitness and information booths full of resources to help folks navigate the city including Metro, Anthem Blue Cross and the LA County departments of Mental Health Services and Social Services. Thanks to the LA County of Parks and Recreation, kids and teens were able to receive backpacks and school supplies, completely free of costs. Free tacos were also available for families. The Heads Up Foundation balanced out the tasty tacos with nutritious veggies – offering bags and boxes of fresh vegetables, also free of charge. 

Heads Up motto is “reach back and help somebody.” It’s safe to say they accomplished that mission last week.

If you would like to make a donation to support Subrina Miller’s work, you may give directly at headsupfoundationinc.org. 

The Inglewood community would like to thank the Los Angeles Rams and the Heads Up Foundation for their dedication to improving the lives of Angelenos and the LA County Parks and Recreation department for hosting several back to school resource fairs in the greater LA area.. 

If you are in need of emergency resources like food or financial assistance to keep up with bills, please dial 211. They’re here to help.