AKBAR MAJEED

HE IS: The cofounder of Concrete2Green
(C2G), a Charlotte-based company that
transforms vacant inner-city lots and
unused spaces into eco-friendly indoor
and outdoor soccer fields.  C2G opened
its pilot center in Charlotte’s Eastland
Mall in January and is planning projects in
Atlanta and Chicago.  Within the next few
months, Majeed will also be touring the
country with portable courts to pique
kids’ interest in futsal, or freestyle soccer.

MORE THAN A GAME: A social worker
and lifelong soccer enthusiast, Majeed
says the sport offers kids a win-win
scenario.  “It keeps them off the street
and promotes a healthier lifestyle,” he
says.  “And it opens them up to learning
about different cultures, because if you
play soccer you have to know about the
international game.”

CHANGING PERCEPTIONS: In many
African-American communities, soccer
is considered a “suburban sport,” Majeed
says.  But with C2G’s efforts, he has started
to see it become more socially acceptable
in the inner city.  “People have to see [the
sport] and experience it before they start
to embrace it,” he says.
—Nicole Saunders
Photography by Richard Israel

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