Meet Demas Fleming | CEO & Security Manager

We had the good fortune of connecting with Demas Fleming and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Demas, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
After volunteer coaching for the city of Lancaster’s Park and Recreation Youth Basketball for nearly 4 years, I discovered how much unexposed basketball talent the Antelope Valley has. I have been blessed to meet some dedicated and hardworking boys and girls that desire to play travel basketball, but maybe couldn’t afford it, or their parents didn’t have the free time to dedicate to traveling. This sparked a desire in me to give back to the community and provide positive guidance to these young athletes. My commitment to my community impelled me to start a nonprofit organization focused on nurturing basketball talent while instilling values of resilience and commitment. My vision includes empowerment, resilience, dedication, and community spirit. Through my nonprofit organization, I am able to assist the youth with uniforms, travel tournament fees, and necessary equipment.

What should our readers know about your business?
It has been a rewarding journey thus far. Antelope Valley Outlaws Athletics is not just a travel basketball organization but a family. My organization is not focused solely on winning but, improving as players and individuals.

What sets me apart is my focus is on teaching the youth about patience, accountability, resilience and grit. I am never in an at win moment. My approach as a coach is to educate and help my players understand and identifying when new learning is taking place.

I am proud that my coaches work towards building environments for our players to flourish in. I am excited when players develop skills and game intelligence. We used practices as learning opportunities for our players. I want my players to look at it as though each practice or game is a new canvas and they are the artists painting their dreams.

Founding this nonprofit was definitely a challenge. I received a great deal of assistance from my business consultant Mr. Keppen with the nonprofit application, building my website, and creating a business plan.

it was a challenge to find gym space for my teams to practice. A lot of school districts denied my use of facilities applications and i found myself paying out of pocket to rent the outside basketball courts at our local parks. It was during the summer and often the heat would be too much to practice. I finally was granted access to indoor gyms and two local middle schools.

I have learned to stay working and focused on the end goal of finding a gym space we can all our own. My ultimate goal is to one day have an AV Outlaws practice facility here in the Antelope Valley.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am die hard LA Clippers fan so we would for sure attend a basketball game.
I love eating some good soul food so we would eat at Fixins in the LA live area near the staples center.
We would go to Venice beach and ride either bikes or scooters on the shoreline and eat some good snacks.
I would also find a concert to attend since they’re always going on in the LA area.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First and foremost without God none of this would be possible. To my wife, Andrea Fleming, for always believing in my dreams and supporting me at all costs. I want give much love and appreciation to my friend and fellow Coach/Assistant Director Thaddeus Robinson. He has been my right hand during the founding of this organization. He volunteers his time and is the pinnacle example of a leader, coach, and father. Second, is 12U Assistant Coaches Jason Davis and Coach Dom. Coach Davis volunteers his time and has made a profound impact on the success of his team and proven to be a positive leader and youth mentor. New to the Outlaws family is Coach Dom. He has been energetic, connects with the players, and boosts confidence. Third 13U Assistant Coaches Raul Rojas Sr. and David Nicholson. These two gentlemen have demonstrated dedication and leadership within my organization by being positive leaders and role models. They are always willing to go that extra mile for me by holding practice in my absence, giving rides to the players to and from practice, and lastly providing that constructive criticism to the players during practices and games. I also want to give much love and recognition to my Secretary, Daisy Rojas, She works effortlessly to keep the parents and players updated on practices and game times. She is extremely supportive and represents the Outlaws in a magnificent manner. Lastly, but not least, to my day one parents and players. I thank you all for allowing me to be in your children’s lives and to lead them in a direction of success and development. Thank you for showing up for them and cheering us on in our wins and losses.

Website: https://avoutlaws.com

Instagram: avoutlaws_athletics