About Our Legacy
G.R.O.W. Athletes exists to build champions on and off the field — disciplined, confident young people, raised inside a community that honors where excellence comes from.
“Building spaces where people grow, connect, and thrive.” — Seneca D. Hart
Our Mission
G.R.O.W. Athletes began as a natural extension of G.R.O.W. Lifestyle — Seneca D. Hart’s members-only community built around Growth, Relationships, Opportunities, and Wealth. As G.R.O.W. families raised the next generation, the need became clear: a private athletic league that trains young people in strength and conditioning while instilling the same standard of discipline, respect, and legacy carried by their parents.
That legacy isn’t abstract to us — it’s personal. Seneca Hart and Taj Bland are both proud members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. The values of the fraternity — achievement, discipline, brotherhood, and service — are woven into the DNA of how we run this league, how we coach, and what we expect from every athlete who wears the G.R.O.W. shield.
Seneca’s own path — from Virginia State University, an HBCU, to building one of Newark’s most respected private lifestyle communities — is proof of what that standard produces. We built this league to pass it to the next generation.
Our Cultural Foundation
A significant number of G.R.O.W. families are connected to Historically Black Colleges and Universities and the National Pan-Hellenic Council’s nine historically Black fraternities and sororities — known as the Divine Nine. We built G.R.O.W. Athletes to celebrate and pass down that legacy.
A Tradition of Scholarship & Service
HBCUs and the Divine Nine share a foundation of academic pride, mentorship, and community service stretching back generations. Many of our parents and coaches carry that legacy directly — as alumni, current students, or members of one of the nine NPHC organizations. We weave those values into how our coaches teach: encourage your teammate, represent your family well, and earn what you have through discipline.
Founded Within the Brotherhood
Seneca D. Hart and Taj Bland are both members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. — one of the most storied fraternities in the Divine Nine. The Kappa standard of achievement, discipline, and brotherhood isn’t something we reference from a distance. It’s the standard our founders live, and the standard this league is built on.
The Divine Nine
Honoring the National Pan-Hellenic Council organizations represented in our community:
Alpha Phi Alpha
Alpha Kappa Alpha
Kappa Alpha Psi
Omega Psi Phi
Delta Sigma Theta
Phi Beta Sigma
Zeta Phi Beta
Sigma Gamma Rho
Iota Phi Theta
Leadership
This summer’s spotlight focus trains grades 7, 8 & 9 at Essex County, NJ. The league itself is open to athletes ages 7–18 year-round.
Seneca D. Hart
Founder & CEO, G.R.O.W. Lifestyle · CEO, VIP Fitness NYC
A former collegiate football athlete at Virginia State University, Seneca holds a B.S. in Health Education & Recreation from VSU and an MBA in Marketing. He also founded Y.A.D.A. (Young Artist Development Association), a Newark nonprofit empowering youth through creative arts and media education.
Taj Bland
COO, G.R.O.W. Lifestyle & Athletes
A former D-1 collegiate track athlete at the University of Miami, Taj serves as COO of G.R.O.W. Lifestyle & Athletes, overseeing operations and leading speed development, endurance training, agility, and explosive power work for every athlete.
Program Partners
Y.A.D.A. · VIP Fitness NYC · Essex County, NJ
G.R.O.W. Athletes runs in partnership with Y.A.D.A. (Young Artist Development Association — also founded by Seneca Hart), VIP Fitness NYC, and trains out of Essex County, NJ
Faith Driven
Community Focused
Youth Empowered
Membership is limited and reviewed on a rolling basis.
Start your family’s application today.