Building the Next Generation of Changemakers
Beyond the Game. Beyond Limits.
Founded by Metta World Peace, Artest University is reimagining athlete education.
Where mental health, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and leadership come together to prepare the next generation for life beyond sports.
Changing Lives, One Game at a Time
Founded by NBA Champion and global mental health advocate Metta World Peace, Artest University (AU) is dedicated to empowering youth and athletes to thrive—both on and off the court—through education, mental wellness, and economic opportunity.
AU bridges the gap between sports and life, equipping students with the knowledge, confidence, and community to build purpose-driven futures. From navigating NIL and personal brand development to creating family-led business management models, AU helps athletes take ownership of their legacies and prepare for lasting success.
Our Story
The heart of Artest University is rooted in Metta World Peace’s journey—a story of resilience, transformation, and giving back.
Growing up in the Queensbridge projects of New York, Metta faced family separation, community challenges, and mental health struggles. Despite the odds, he forged a remarkable path—earning a college degree, achieving an NBA Championship, founding Artest Management Group (AMG) and Artest Media Group, and ultimately co-founding Artest University to carry forward his mission.
What began in 2007 as Xcel University evolved into The Artest Foundation in 2019, and now into Artest University, Inc. — a reimagined institution focused on education, empowerment, and emotional wellness for under-resourced youth and athletes across the country.
AU represents Metta’s lifelong commitment to helping others overcome adversity and build sustainable futures — for themselves, their families, and their communities.
Our Mission & Vision
To empower student-athletes and young adults to thrive in life, sport, and society through holistic education that integrates mental health, financial wellness, entrepreneurship, and personal brand development.
To redefine athlete education and create a global movement of leaders who measure success not by performance — but by purpose.
Rooted in the vision of the Artest Management Group (AMG), Artest University (AU) offers transformative education and real-world learning pathways that prepare young people to become well-equipped adults, parents, and partners.
AU empowers graduates to lead in diverse industries — including healthcare, childcare, wellness, real estate, finance, sports, and entrepreneurship — supported by the AMG portfolio of companies. Through this integrated ecosystem, AU helps students build sustainable careers, strengthen families, and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
Our work goes beyond academics. We promote the importance of mental wellness, financial literacy, and family partnership, ensuring that every participant is prepared not only for career success, but for a balanced, purpose-driven life.
Artest University is powered by the story of Metta World Peace — NBA Champion, entrepreneur, and global mental health advocate.
From growing up in the Queensbridge projects of New York and navigating family and mental health challenges, to achieving success on the world stage, Metta’s journey is one of resilience, transformation, and giving back. His experiences inspired the founding of Artest University — originally launched as Xcel University in 2007, later evolving into The Artest Foundation in 2019, and now into Artest University, Inc.
Today, AU continues Metta’s lifelong mission: to educate, empower, and equip the next generation with the tools to reach their full potential — both on and off the court.
Join the Movement
Together, we can help every student and athlete turn their passion into purpose — and create lasting impact that extends far beyond the game.
Our Core Pillars
At Artest University, we’re dedicated to helping young people transform potential into purpose — equipping them with the mindset, skills, and support to thrive in every area of life.
Through our six core pillars, we build the foundation for lifelong success — on the court, in business, and within the community.
At AU, we’re not just preparing students for success — we’re breaking cycles, building confidence, and creating pathways to lasting opportunity.
By investing in education, family, and purpose, we empower the next generation to reach their full potential — and lift their communities along the way.
Mental Health & Emotional Resilience
Therapy, mindfulness, and mentorship to build confidence and break stigma.
Financial Literacy & Wealth Building
Budgeting, investing, and financial planning to create generational wealth.
Career Development & Entrepreneurship
From launching startups to managing NIL deals, students learn how to transform their talents into sustainable ventures.
Personal Brand & NIL Management
Guidance on marketing, contracts, and media strategy to help athletes own their name, image, and likeness — turning influence into long-term opportunity.
Family & Business Management
Workshops that teach athletes and their families how to establish strong business foundations and manage legacy ventures together. Parental Partnership: Working alongside parents to support community growth.
Leadership & Purpose
Mentorship and community service that develop the heart and character of changemakers.
Wellness and Health
Wellness and health awareness is a major focal point of Artest University. Metta World Peace has been an advocate of mental health sharing openly his wellness and health journey with the public most recently through his documentary with Showtime “Quiet Storm: The Ron Artest Story.”
The Mission of Artest University
focuses on parenting and partnership working with the youth of underprivileged communities through sports activities, education, financial literacy, and mental health awareness.
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Art
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by KarinaMoore
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Art
Design
Improve editing skills
by KarinaMoore
- 20hr
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$500
Art
Design
Improve editing skills
by KarinaMoore
- 20hr
- 6 Lectures
Introducing the Athlete Futures Accelerator
A fast-track, high-impact program designed to prepare athletes for success beyond sports.
Through asynchronous professional development courses on the ICARUS AI platform, immersive workshops, mentorship, and real-world projects, participants gain the tools to thrive in every arena of life.
They’ll build emotional resilience, financial confidence, and leadership skills—while learning how to navigate NIL opportunities, develop personal brands, and establish family-led business strategies that sustain long-term success.
Community Impact:
Public events, panels, and masterclasses are ticketed — proceeds fund AU scholarships, athlete-led startups, and community youth programs.
- 4-Week Intensive: Pop-up academy for off-season athletes
- 8-Week Hybrid Accelerator: Coaching + entrepreneurship labs
- 12-Week Cohort Program: AU’s flagship pathway for purpose-driven careers
Powered by Collaboration
Our Partner Ecosystem
At Artest University, we deeply believe in the power of partnership as the foundation of our ecosystem.
We collaborate with mission-aligned organizations and innovators who share our vision — to build equitable pathways in education, entrepreneurship, and wellness for the next generation of changemakers.
At Icarus, education is viewed as the foundation of freedom and a human right. Equitable access to knowledge empowers individuals to shape their futures, uplift communities, and drive global progress.
In partnership with Icarus AI, Artest University is developing an institution of higher learning with a rigorous, evidence-based academic curriculum supported by advanced AI technology. Through this collaboration, AU will offer degrees and professional certifications across multiple disciplines — delivered in-person and online via a proprietary, AI-powered learning platform.
Leveraging Icarus’s proprietary software, Artest University is revolutionizing access to education by making it more interactive, data-informed, and community-driven.
The platform enables real-time performance tracking, personalized learning, and collaborative engagement — fostering a vibrant ecosystem of shared knowledge, mentorship, and innovation.
link: https://icarus.education
Founded by Alok Chanani, BuildOps connects trade professionals and students to new career pathways through technology, mentorship, and education. Together with AU, BuildOps advances vocational readiness and life skills development for athletes and youth transitioning into new industries.
Link:
An art marketplace and investment platform redefining how creators build wealth. Supported by Artest Management Group (AMG), Ujamma bridges creativity, community, and commerce — helping emerging artists turn passion into sustainable enterprise and ownership.
Be Part of the Movement
Whether you’re an investor, educator, athlete, or brand partner — there’s a place for you at Artest University. Together, we can create opportunities that redefine the future of sports, education, entrepreneurship, and community impact — empowering the next generation to lead with purpose on and off the court.
Get Involved with
Artest University
Tell us how you’d like to be part of the mission we’ll reach out with upcoming programs, partnership opportunities, and events.
