Meshach Obafemi is a multifaceted professional whose day-to-day responsibilities extend beyond his job title. As a Security Guard at Trophy Room in Chicago and a youth Basketball Coach with The Salvation Army Chicago Metropolitan Division, Obafemi demonstrates a strong commitment to both public safety and community mentorship. With a background in Early Childhood Education and an evident passion for youth development, Obafemi’s trajectory illustrates how practical experience, education, and community engagement can intersect in a meaningful way.
Early Life and Education
Meshach Obafemi was raised in the Beverly neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago. A proud African American male, he often references the influence of his upbringing in shaping his community-first mindset. His educational journey began at Saint Rita of Cascia High School, a private, all-boys Catholic institution known for its emphasis on discipline and faith-based education.
Obafemi’s decision to pursue higher education reflects a deliberate effort to build a career in service of others. Enrolling at National Louis University, he pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and Teaching. As of 2024, he is completing his junior year. His educational focus is geared toward becoming a certified basketball coach in Illinois, allowing him to continue mentoring youth in a more formalized capacity. This decision reflects a clear understanding of how structured education and licensure can enhance his community impact.
Professional Role at Trophy Room
By day, Meshach Obafemi works as a Security Guard at Trophy Room, a well-known sports lounge located in Chicago, Illinois. Trophy Room blends the city’s sports heritage with a vibrant social atmosphere, making security and order essential components of its customer experience.
In this role, Obafemi ensures guest safety, manages crowd control, and helps foster a secure environment that aligns with city regulations and the venue’s hospitality standards. His presence at Trophy Room reflects a growing trend in urban centers—where security professionals are expected to deliver both safety and customer service.
This position also places him at the crossroads of two worlds he values deeply: security and sports. It’s a setting that complements his personal and professional identity, allowing him to remain connected to Chicago’s sports culture while applying practical, situational awareness skills.
Community Impact Through Basketball Coaching
Since May 2021, Obafemi has been an integral part of the The Salvation Army Chicago Metropolitan Division, serving as a Basketball Coach and Gym Assistant. This role extends far beyond physical training. He is responsible for:
- Coaching youth basketball practices and games
- Tracking scores and player statistics across multiple sports
- Maintaining facility safety standards
- Providing mentorship and guidance to young athletes
The scope of his work includes both athletic development and character building. In urban environments like Chicago, youth sports programs often serve as safe havens—spaces where children learn structure, discipline, and collaboration. Obafemi’s leadership in this space gives him a direct influence on shaping the lives of young participants, many of whom rely on these programs for stability and mentorship.
His four-year tenure with The Salvation Army also signals long-term dedication rather than short-term engagement, making him a dependable figure in the lives of the children and families he supports.
Educational Philosophy and Long-Term Goals
Obafemi’s pursuit of a degree in Early Childhood Education speaks to a broader professional objective: licensed basketball coaching in the State of Illinois. This goal integrates formal education with athletic coaching, two disciplines that demand patience, structure, and emotional intelligence.
The duality of his interests—education and athletics—positions him uniquely within the broader education sector. While many early childhood educators focus solely on classroom instruction, Obafemi brings physical activity, teamwork, and sportsmanship into his model of learning. He sees coaching as a form of teaching, one that takes place not behind a desk but on the court.
This approach aligns well with modern understandings of child development, where physical and social-emotional learning are treated as inseparable. Obafemi’s hands-on work with children through sports complements the pedagogical strategies he’s studying in his coursework.
Personal Identity and Local Engagement
Obafemi identifies deeply with his Chicago roots. He is a lifelong supporter of local teams: the Chicago Bulls, Blackhawks, Bears, and Cubs. Sports are more than entertainment for him—they’re part of his identity and community connection. They inform not only how he spends his time but how he relates to others, especially youth who see professional athletes as role models.
His commitment to the city extends beyond sports fandom. He actively supports his wife, Nia Scaife, in her entrepreneurial journey. She owns and operates The Simple Purpose Skin and Beauty, a local business offering skincare products and wellness services. Obafemi’s support of his spouse’s venture reflects his broader approach to life—community-driven, team-oriented, and rooted in shared purpose.
By actively engaging with both local sports culture and small business ecosystems, Obafemi contributes to multiple pillars of Chicago life. His influence is not confined to gymnasiums or lounges; it extends to homes, schools, and storefronts.
Navigating Multiple Roles
What stands out about Meshach Obafemi is his ability to navigate multiple roles simultaneously. By balancing academic commitments, security duties, and coaching responsibilities, he demonstrates an ability to manage diverse demands without compromising on quality or commitment.
In practical terms, this means working evenings at the Trophy Room, spending weekends coaching youth, and finding time for university coursework in between. It’s a demanding schedule that requires discipline, time management, and physical endurance.
This juggling act also makes him a relatable figure for many Chicago residents—people who, like him, wear multiple hats to build stability and create impact.
Coaching as a Catalyst for Youth Empowerment
For many young Chicagoans, especially in underserved communities, sports serve as a vehicle for personal development. Obafemi’s role as a basketball coach is not just about teaching plays or drills. It’s about helping young players:
- Learn conflict resolution through teamwork
- Build self-confidence through structured achievement
- Understand accountability through consistent practice
By framing coaching as mentorship, Obafemi helps instill values that are transferable to academics, relationships, and eventual careers. His consistent presence at the gym, game days, and practice sessions provides a rare form of stability in environments that can sometimes be unpredictable.
The respect he earns from the youth he mentors stems not just from his knowledge of basketball, but from his willingness to show up, listen, and care.
Connection to Broader Social Outcomes
Obafemi’s work intersects with broader social outcomes related to youth empowerment, public safety, and education reform. In communities like South Side Chicago, professionals who serve in these intersecting fields often help address systemic challenges.
- Youth sports programs are proven to reduce violence and school dropout rates.
- Early childhood education is linked to long-term academic success and improved life outcomes.
- Visible, trusted security personnel contribute to a safer and more community-friendly environment in public venues.
Obafemi operates at the intersection of these outcomes. His work may not always make headlines, but its cumulative impact contributes to the social infrastructure of the neighborhoods he serves.
Looking Ahead
As Obafemi completes his final year at National Louis University, the path ahead appears to offer multiple avenues. With a degree in Early Childhood Education and future coaching licensure, he could potentially:
- Become a certified physical education teacher
- Lead youth programs full-time at a nonprofit or school district
- Launch his own coaching or mentorship initiative
- Continue combining part-time roles to serve different segments of the community
Regardless of the direction he chooses, the foundation he has built—through experience, education, and consistent service—positions him to make lasting contributions in any setting.
Final Thoughts
Meshach Obafemi represents a working model of community engagement in action. He is not defined by a single job title or academic pursuit but rather by how these components interact. Whether it’s keeping patrons safe at a popular sports lounge, coaching youth on a city basketball court, or studying pedagogical theory at a Chicago university, Obafemi brings purpose and focus to each role.
His story illustrates how dedication to one’s community, especially when backed by formal education and real-world experience, can result in meaningful contributions across various spaces. In a city that often relies on grassroots leadership to address systemic gaps, individuals like Meshach Obafemi offer a steady and credible presence.
FAQs
1. Where does Meshach Obafemi currently work?
He works as a Security Guard at Trophy Room, a sports lounge in Chicago.
2. What degree is Meshach Obafemi pursuing?
He is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and Teaching at National Louis University.
3. How is Meshach involved with youth sports?
He coaches youth basketball at The Salvation Army Chicago Metropolitan Division and also serves as a Gym Assistant.
4. What are his career goals?
He plans to become a licensed basketball coach in the State of Illinois and continue mentoring youth.
5. What community does Meshach Obafemi come from?
He is from the Beverly neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago.