OUR TEAM
Championship experience. Community heart. A collective of Baltimore youth leaders.
Behind every practice, tutoring session, and scholarship award is a crew of hard-driving educators, coaches, and innovators. The Sanctuary Collective is powered by people who know Baltimore, love its kids, and believe in the power of sports to change lives. Together, these Baltimore youth leaders bring elite basketball knowledge, academic expertise, and a commitment to whole-child wellness that sets our programs apart.
Sam Brand
CEO & Executive Director
Visionary coach, educator, and lifelong Baltimorean
Few names carry more weight in Baltimore basketball than Sam Brand. For more than two decades, Sam has dedicated his life to developing young talent, building winning teams, and proving that sports can be a launchpad for education and opportunity.
Sam’s own journey began as a standout guard at Morgan State University, where he was a three-year NCAA Division I letter winner. During his senior season he averaged 12.1 points per game and earned All-MEAC Second Team honors while cementing his place as Morgan’s all-time leader in every three-point shooting category. His reputation as a sharpshooter reflected the same precision, focus, and relentless determination that now define his leadership style…
SAM BRAND
Sam Brand
Founder & President
Visionary coach, educator, and lifelong Baltimorean
Few names carry more weight in Baltimore basketball than Sam Brand. For more than two decades, Sam has dedicated his life to developing young talent, building winning teams, and proving that sports can be a launchpad for education and opportunity.
Sam’s own journey began as a standout guard at Morgan State University, where he was a three-year NCAA Division I letter winner. During his senior season he averaged 12.1 points per game and earned All-MEAC Second Team honors while cementing his place as Morgan’s all-time leader in every three-point shooting category. His reputation as a sharpshooter reflected the same precision, focus, and relentless determination that now define his leadership style.
After graduation, Sam stayed close to the game—and to Baltimore. He joined the coaching staff at Morgan State, first as a graduate assistant and then as a full-time assistant coach from 2006 to 2010. During those four seasons, the Bears captured three MEAC regular-season titles and advanced to the 2008 NIT as well as the 2009 and 2010 NCAA Tournaments. Working alongside veteran coaches, Sam learned the intricacies of recruiting, player development, and academic support—experience that shaped his holistic approach to youth sports.
In 2010, opportunity and challenge collided. Just one week before the start of the season, Sam accepted the head coaching job at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute (Poly), his alma mater. The program was coming off a four-win season and needed a complete turnaround. Sam immediately set a new standard. Over the next decade he compiled an extraordinary 217–68 record (.761 winning percentage), leading Poly to four consecutive Maryland 3A state championships (2017–2020) and four city titles. His 2019–20 squad finished with a 26–2 record, ranked #1 among public schools in Maryland and #17 nationally.
Sam’s success went far beyond the scoreboard. Under his leadership, thirteen players earned full college scholarships, and the team maintained a GPA above 3.0 in each of his final six seasons. As a math teacher at Poly—Baltimore’s premier math and science public school—Sam helped shape academic policies that improved student outcomes, reinforcing his belief that athletics and education are inseparable when it comes to developing future leaders.
By 2020, Sam was ready to broaden his impact. He became Director of Team Melo (founded by NBA star Carmelo Anthony) and Team MD23 (launched by professional player Malcolm Delaney). These youth basketball clubs served more than 1,000 Baltimore-area athletes, offered high-level training, and even hosted international camps in Istanbul and Wellington. Yet despite the success, Sam saw a troubling trend: elite training was moving to the suburbs, leaving many city kids priced out of opportunities that once came free.
Determined to change that trajectory, Sam founded The Sanctuary Collective in 2023. Working with a diverse group of educators, trainers, and mental-health professionals, he transformed a historic West Franklin Street church into a vibrant community center that now offers donation-based youth programs, free basketball camps, academic tutoring, strength training, nutrition education, and behavioral-health support. In the organization’s first year alone, Sanctuary programs served over 750 Baltimore youth, awarding more than 400 scholarships and providing 200+ full-ride participation opportunities.
Sam’s life’s work is youth development, and it extends to his own family. His wife, Dominique Brand, serves as the Collective’s Chief Data & Information Officer. Together they are raising two young children while guiding the Sanctuary’s next phase: full building ownership and a green renovation that will redirect over $100,000 per year from rent to scholarships. From the classroom to the court, Sam continues to embody the belief that Baltimore basketball coaches can be mentors, educators, and community builders all at once.
Leadership Team
The Sanctuary Collective succeeds because of a dynamic group of professionals who complement Sam’s vision with expertise across education, wellness, and nonprofit leadership. Their collaboration ensures that every participant experiences holistic youth development—from physical fitness to emotional health.
Tiffany Taylor-Watson
Chief Operating Officer
Tiffany brings a mix of boardroom strategy and founder-level grit to every venture she touches. For more than two decades she has led high-growth businesses across wealth management, franchising, and social-impact sectors, designing scalable operations and building teams that deliver measurable results.
As a proven C-suite operator, Tiffany helped drive a boutique wealth management firm’s assets from $40 million to nearly $1 billion, launching new market verticals, creating a full-service brokerage, and rebranding the firm for national visibility. She has also founded, acquired, and turned around multiple franchise…
Jamal K. Atkins
Program Manager & Facilities Director
Jamal brings a double threat to The Sanctuary Collective: world-class technical expertise and decades of global basketball leadership. With more than 25 years of experience in engineering design, implementation, and team development, Jamal has built and managed complex audio, video, and security systems across the United States, Europe, and Africa. His projects range from high-tech military installations in Zambia to campus-wide communications networks, giving him the kind of logistical skill that keeps big visions on schedule and on budget…
Tyler Reddy
Chief Legal Officer
Tyler brings a rare blend of sports-industry savvy and high-stakes legal expertise to The Sanctuary Collective. A graduate of California Western School of Law with a J.D. focused on business transactions, Tyler has built a career at the intersection of athletics and law—protecting ideas, negotiating deals, and structuring partnerships that keep organizations growing and secure.
Before earning his law degree, Tyler logged years inside the game itself, working for the Denver Nuggets (NBA) and Colorado Avalanche (NHL) and supporting athlete representation at various sports agencies. Those experiences ga…
Dakari Taylor-Watson
Community Partnership Director
Dakari is a systems thinker and relationship builder who turns bold ideas into programs that transform schools and neighborhoods. With a Master of Public Health from Morgan State University and more than a decade leading high-impact initiatives across Washington, D.C. and beyond, Dakari specializes in strategic planning, program design, and partnership development that move the needle for students and families.
Currently serving as Manager of Connected Schools DC+XQ with District of Columbia Publi…
Greg Butler, Jr
Director of Education
Greg’s path to leadership was forged in the streets of Baltimore during the 2015 uprising following the death of Freddie Gray—a moment that sparked his lifelong commitment to justice and youth empowerment. His voice and perspective connected him with city leaders, including Governor Wes Moore, whose book Five Days: The Fiery Reckoning of an American City drew on voices like Greg’s. He also gained mentorship under Deputy Mayor Bob Maloney and the Baltimore Fire Department, grounding his activism in both passion and civic responsibility.
A proud graduate of Baltimore Polytechnic Ins…
Melany Glascoe
Executive Assistant & Executive Projects Manager
Melany keeps The Sanctuary Collective moving at game speed. As Executive Assistant, she provides the high-level administrative and organizational support that allows programs to run smoothly and leaders to focus on growing Baltimore’s premier youth movement. From coordinating schedules and tracking grants to managing daily operations, Melany makes sure every practice, tutoring session, and community event happens without a hitch.
A proud product of Baltimore’s Park Heights neighborhood, Melany brings a personal understanding of the challenges—and the…
Robert BranD
Fundraising Advisor
Robert J. Brand is a public policy strategist, social innovator, and photographer whose career spans more than five decades at the intersection of technology, health policy, and economic justice. As the founder and longtime President and CEO of Solutions for Progress, Inc., he led the development of technology-driven tools to combat poverty, most notably The Benefit Bank Online Service, which has helped hundreds of thousands of households secure more than $2 billion in tax refunds and public benefits.
Robert’s professional work has consistently focused on expanding access, reducing inequality, and strengthening public systems. He has held leadership roles in government,…
TIFFANY TAYLOR-WATSON
TIFFANY TAYLOR-WATSON
Chief Operating Officer
Tiffany brings a mix of boardroom strategy and founder-level grit to every venture she touches. For more than two decades she has led high-growth businesses across wealth management, franchising, and social-impact sectors, designing scalable operations and building teams that deliver measurable results.
As a proven C-suite operator, Tiffany helped drive a boutique wealth management firm’s assets from $40 million to nearly $1 billion, launching new market verticals, creating a full-service brokerage, and rebranding the firm for national visibility. She has also founded, acquired, and turned around multiple franchise operations in fitness, health, and retail—accelerating revenue, earning industry awards, and mentoring emerging franchise leaders.
Earlier in her career, Tiffany built entrepreneurial ventures for celebrities, nonprofits, and consumer brands, helping organizations raise millions globally and expand into new domestic and international markets. A sought-after speaker and media voice on wealth building, entrepreneurship, and leadership equity, she’s been featured on national television, notable podcasts, and various conference stages as a keynote and favored panelist.
Today, through her work at T. Watson and as a trusted advisor to boards and founders, Tiffany continues to help visionary teams build businesses that scale with discipline and endure with purpose, while championing diversity and next-generation leadership.
JAMAL K. ATKINS
JAMAL K. ATKINS
Program Manager & Facilities Director
Jamal brings a double threat to The Sanctuary Collective: world-class technical expertise and decades of global basketball leadership. With more than 25 years of experience in engineering design, implementation, and team development, Jamal has built and managed complex audio, video, and security systems across the United States, Europe, and Africa. His projects range from high-tech military installations in Zambia to campus-wide communications networks, giving him the kind of logistical skill that keeps big visions on schedule and on budget.
Off the court, Jamal is equally accomplished on it. As Founder and Director of the Basketball Academy of Excellence, he has spent two decades coaching and mentoring athletes across Southern Africa and Europe, earning certifications from FIBA Africa and FIBA Europe and a USA Basketball Gold Level Coach designation. He has led youth life-skills programs that reached tens of thousands of students, developed national basketball leagues, and guided amateur and professional teams on multiple continents.
At The Sanctuary, Jamal blends this global perspective with a deep love for Baltimore youth—using technology, coaching, and life-skills training to create opportunities that extend far beyond the hardwood.
TYLER REDDY
TYLER REDDY
Chief Legal Officer
Tyler brings a rare blend of sports-industry savvy and high-stakes legal expertise to The Sanctuary Collective. A graduate of California Western School of Law with a J.D. focused on business transactions, Tyler has built a career at the intersection of athletics and law—protecting ideas, negotiating deals, and structuring partnerships that keep organizations growing and secure.
Before earning his law degree, Tyler logged years inside the game itself, working for the Denver Nuggets (NBA) and Colorado Avalanche (NHL) and supporting athlete representation at various sports agencies. Those experiences gave him a firsthand understanding of how contracts, branding, and player development shape the business of sports—a perspective he now uses to safeguard The Sanctuary’s mission and growth.
As Chief Legal Officer, Tyler manages everything from corporate governance to partnership agreements to ensuring that every sponsorship, scholarship, and community partnership stands on solid legal ground. Whether negotiating with major corporate sponsors or advising on the capital campaign to purchase and renovate The Sanctuary’s historic home, Tyler combines the precision of an attorney with the competitive drive of an athlete to keep Baltimore’s premier youth movement protected, compliant, and ready to scale.
DAKARI TAYLOR-WATSON
DAKARI TAYLOR-WATSON
Community Partnership Director
Dakari is a systems thinker and relationship builder who turns bold ideas into programs that transform schools and neighborhoods. With a Master of Public Health from Morgan State University and more than a decade leading high-impact initiatives across Washington, D.C. and beyond, Dakari specializes in strategic planning, program design, and partnership development that move the needle for students and families.
Currently serving as Manager of Connected Schools DC+XQ with District of Columbia Public Schools, Dakari leads a groundbreaking effort to reimagine how schools, agencies, and communities work together. In just months, he has grown a network of partners—from Fortune 500 companies like Deloitte and NASA to grassroots organizations—by more than 240%, while managing budgets, training teams, and embedding equity into every system.
Previously, Dakari spent eight years with Communities in Schools of the Nation’s Capital, where he scaled operations across multiple campuses, secured major grants, and designed data-driven programs supporting thousands of students. A Fulbright scholar and global traveler, he brings a multicultural perspective and a talent for turning complex challenges into sustainable solutions.
At The Sanctuary Collective, Dakari blends his passion for youth advocacy, community, corporate partnership, and DEI expertise to help Baltimore’s next generation learn, lead, and thrive on and off the court.
MELANY GLASCOE
MELANY GLASCOE
Executive Assistant & Executive Projects Manager
Melany keeps The Sanctuary Collective moving at game speed. As Executive Assistant, she provides the high-level administrative and organizational support that allows programs to run smoothly and leaders to focus on growing Baltimore’s premier youth movement. From coordinating schedules and tracking grants to managing daily operations, Melany makes sure every practice, tutoring session, and community event happens without a hitch.
A proud product of Baltimore’s Park Heights neighborhood, Melany brings a personal understanding of the challenges—and the promise—facing city youth. Her background spans more than a decade in administration, public service, and youth support, including roles in education, program coordination, and family resource assistance. Along the way she has helped students stay on track academically, planned community events, and connected families to services that strengthen independence and well-being.
Melany holds an A.A. in Early Childhood Education from the Community College of Baltimore County, along with certifications in Grant Writing, CPR, First Aid, and Crisis De-escalation. She combines these skills with a deep commitment to lifelong learning and community care. At The Sanctuary, Melany channels her expertise and Baltimore pride to help build a safe, inspiring space where sports become a bridge to growth, healing, and opportunity for youth and families.
GREG BUTLER, JR
GREG BUTLER, JR
Director of Education
Greg’s path to leadership was forged in the streets of Baltimore during the 2015 uprising following the death of Freddie Gray—a moment that sparked his lifelong commitment to justice and youth empowerment. His voice and perspective connected him with city leaders, including Governor Wes Moore, whose book Five Days: The Fiery Reckoning of an American City drew on voices like Greg’s. He also gained mentorship under Deputy Mayor Bob Maloney and the Baltimore Fire Department, grounding his activism in both passion and civic responsibility.
A proud graduate of Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, Greg played on the school’s first citywide competitive basketball team in years under Coach Sam Brand—now his colleague at The Sanctuary. That experience instilled values of teamwork, resilience, and leadership that remain central to his work with Baltimore’s youth.
Professionally, Greg served for five years as Dean of Students at Green Street Academy, where he mentored and guided middle and high school students. Today, he leads as Director of Education at The Sanctuary Collective while continuing hands-on mentorship as Dean of Students at the Baltimore Leadership School. Through academics, mentorship, and athletics, Greg champions Sanctuary’s mission: to equip young people with the life skills and supportive environments they need to thrive on and off the court.
ROBERT BRAND
Robert BranD
Fundraising Development Advisor
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Board & Collective Contributors
Behind the day-to-day staff is an active interim board of civic leaders, entrepreneurs, and educators who share a deep commitment to nonprofit leadership Baltimore families can trust. Board members guide strategic planning, fundraising initiatives, and the ongoing capital campaign to purchase and renovate the historic church. Their combined expertise in finance, education, and community engagement provides the stability needed for long-term impact.
A True Collective
What makes The Sanctuary unique is the way these leaders work together. Coaches collaborate with tutors. Strength trainers coordinate with behavioral-health experts. Data analysts meet with community volunteers to share insights. This cross-disciplinary teamwork ensures that every child receives the full benefit of holistic youth development—from physical fitness and academic support to mental-health resources and mentorship.
The culture is one of shared purpose and mutual respect. Staff members regularly meet to review progress, celebrate wins, and refine programs based on student feedback. Volunteers are treated as valued partners, not just helpers, and are included in professional development opportunities. The result is an environment where innovation thrives and young people see adults modeling the teamwork and resilience they are encouraged to practice on the court.
Join the Team Behind the Dream
Our staff and board have proven that a single historic building can house elite basketball training, academic excellence, and whole-child wellness. But we can’t do it alone. Whether you’re looking to volunteer, mentor, or sponsor a program, there’s room for you on the team that’s shaping Baltimore’s next generation of leaders.
When you volunteer with youth basketball in Baltimore, you become part of a movement that is restoring the city’s proud tradition of accessible, high-quality sports and education. When you donate, you help provide scholarships, healthy meals, and safe spaces for hundreds of children each year. And when you share your professional skills—whether in marketing, tutoring, or event planning—you help The Sanctuary Collective expand its reach and deepen its impact.
