Dwyane Wade, Travis Diener literacy efforts give back to Milwaukee

Twenty years after leading the Marquette men’s basketball team to the Final Four, two former Golden Eagles are giving back to the community.

Dwyane Wade and Travis Diener are making efforts to boost literacy in Milwaukee.

“It’s important for us to interject ourselves with the kids. They’re the future, obviously. That’s what we love to do,” Wade said.

Slam dunks filled The Facility sports complex in Mequon as Wade and Diener hosted a young women’s basketball camp.

The camp is part of a new three-day event, called ‘Wade vs. Diener,’ where the two compete against each other to see who will raise the most funds for youth literacy programs in Milwaukee.

“Try to catch kids at a very young age. If they’re not at a certain reading level by third grade – especially in the inner city, in the cities of minority communities – going to the next grade, you get left behind,” Wade said. “We want to make sure that they get the opportunity to succeed and get sped up if they’re behind.”

Named after his sister, Wade currently funds The Tragil Wade-Johnson Summer Reading Program through Marquette University. Proceeds from the entire Wade vs. Diener weekend will help fund literacy programs like it.

“Just trying to pay it back, pay it forward,” said Diener.

“We just want to bring more awareness to the community of Milwaukee what we’re doing, and it’s all about the kids,” said Wade.

The two former Marquette teammates showcased their bond – competing together to show the young ladies the ropes.

“The goals of these camps is just to have a lot of fun, so you can help them navigate that passion in a positive way,” Diener said.

“I remember all the camps l went to as a kid,” said Wade.

Sunday July 23, 2023, Wade and Diener hosted a Tee Off Party. More information is available on their website at https://e.givesmart.com/events/wq9/.