Dr. Mariam Mell’Osiime Mpaata is an Ugandan-born sports activist and social entrepreneur who uses sports as a tool for social change. She founded the Junior Stars Youth Development Program in Mombasa, Kenya, to give young people safe spaces and mentorship through sport. As CEO of the Afrika Sports Foundation Center, she advances sports education and community development. She also the Founder and President of the African Women in Sports Initiative (AWISI), a pan-African network empowering women in sports. A strong advocate for children’s, girls’ and women’s rights, she champions inclusion and protection in and beyond sports. Mariam holds a Master’s degree and an Honorary Doctorate in Sports Management. She is the author of Boots Don’t Lie: From a Housewife to a Sports Activist, and she even plays goalkeeper in her free time.