CBID Conversations: Marshall Cho Says Leadership Begins With Looking Beyond Yourself

This month, we welcomed Marshall Cho, head coach of the Nike Hoop Summit World Team and founder of the Meadow Park Basketball Program, as our latest ‘DIG In’ speaker for a conversation about leadership, identity, and the experiences that have shaped his unconventional journey.

Long before coaching some of the world's most talented young basketball players, Marshall taught math in Harlem and the South Bronx through Teach For America. While his career has since included international coaching assignments, championship teams, and elite basketball programs, he reflected that the impact he made in the classroom remains one of his proudest accomplishments. Success, he reminded us, is measured not only by accolades but by the lives we influence along the way.

One of the session's most memorable themes was Marshall's belief that we should "think lightly of ourselves and deeply of the world." He illustrated this through the story of coaching a standout player from Benin. After a game, rather than focusing on his own performance, the athlete spoke passionately about representing his country and encouraged others to learn more about its people and culture. For Marshall, it was a powerful reminder that leadership begins with curiosity, humility, and recognizing that every person carries a story worth understanding.

Marshall also spoke movingly about the person who made his own journey possible: his mother. Her sacrifices after immigrating from South Korea and her unwavering belief in his potential throughout her battle with breast cancer continue to shape the way he leads others. Her example reinforced one of his central messages: the greatest leaders invest in people first.

Whether discussing classrooms, basketball courts, or communities around the world, Marshall challenged us to think beyond individual achievement and consider the impact we have on those around us. His stories reminded us that courage, presence, and trust are built through everyday actions, and that our greatest legacy is often found in the opportunities we create for others.