L to R: Current BCYC Program Manager Habib Faye; longtime BCYC Coach, Bicycle Coalition Board Member, and Jahiem’s mentor Jerry Jacobs; BCYC alum & Shippensburg graduate Jahiem; BCYC alum and coach Maurice Jones; and former Program Manager Malaku Mekonnen.
This past weekend, a Bicycle Coalition Youth Cycling (BCYC) cohort made the three-hour drive from Philadelphia to Shippensburg University to celebrate the long-awaited graduation of BCYC alum, Jaheim Williams, from Shippensburg University with a Bachelor of Science in Supply Chain Management.
Jaheim’s relationship with BCYC spans many chapters. He came to the program as a young participant eager for competition, and later became a member of the Youth Advisory Council, an All-Star rider, scholarship recipient, and then returned to pay it forward as a coach and mentor. Throughout his college journey, he continued to stay involved, stopping by Sedgley to get his bike checked out, riding with and coaching BCYC youth athletes, and representing BCYC wherever he went, speaking thoughtfully and passionately about the program.
One thing that was especially clear throughout the day was just how much Jahiem and Coach Jerry mean to each other. It showed in the steady stream of hugs, handshakes, words of praise, and quiet moments of gratitude. Their relationship – built over years through practices, conversations, challenges, and consistent presence – embodies what mentorship at BCYC is meant to be. It goes far beyond getting youth on bikes or building confidence in riding skills. It’s about giving young people the tools to move through challenges with competence and self-belief, and to know that someone will show up for them in moments of struggle and moments of celebration alike.
Somewhere along the way, the line between coach and teammate quietly disappears and mentorship turns into kinship.
BCYC Program Manager Habib Faye sat down for a conversation with Jaheim:
Jaheim, thanks for taking the time. We want to talk about your overall experience: your journey with BCYC and what led you to where you are now as a proud new graduate. When did you start with BCYC? What got you into it? Did you do any cycling before?
I can say how I started cycling. I think I’ve told this story five or six times, but it never gets old. My cousin Calvin got me into it. Me and him are like brothers—we compete, we push each other, we want to beat each other.
The first day I showed up, I remember seeing Kieran—our old coordinator—and everyone at the table was just warm and welcoming. And the first thing I said was, “I’m here to beat Calvin.” Ever since that day, I really fell into it.
What kept me coming back was what cycling brought out of me personally. Within the first year, I got to go to Atlantic City and race. I met coaches like Berman, Blake, and others I’m still close with today. The connections I made—that’s really what kept me in the program.
Cycling became something mental for me. When I get on the bike, the stress just leaves. I’m focused on the ride, the scenery, the music. Everything else pauses for a few hours. It gave me space to breathe.
Over time, it became more than a hobby—it became my life. I talk about cycling, I breathe cycling. Even though my girlfriend doesn’t really understand it, I talk about it all the time. Not just riding, but mentorship—being able to give kids like Elijah what I got from the program, and even more.
You mentioned mentorship, which feels like a big part of your story. You graduated, received a scholarship, gained a mentor—and now you’ve become one yourself. What has that journey been like?
I met Jerry around ninth or tenth grade, around the time I joined the race team. From the start, he welcomed me in.
Jerry taught me more than cycling. He taught me presentation, breathing through stress, and most importantly—showing up. He always told me: keep pushing, keep doing the work, keep showing up.
There was a point in my second year of college when I was close to getting kicked out. I remember talking to Jerry, and he said, “The same discipline you put into finishing a race—you need to put that into college.” That stuck with me.
I’ve carried that mindset into every part of my life—school, relationships, family, everything. Finish all the way through the line.
Honestly, if I didn’t show up to that race where I met him, I don’t know where I’d be today. His mentorship has been deeply impactful. Everything I learned from him, I absorbed—and now I’m trying to pass that on to the kids I coach. I’m planting the same seed he planted in me.
You’ve talked about Jerry showing you the world, literally. Can you share what that experience meant to you?
Jerry showed me the world. I had never been overseas before. When he told me about the Italy trip, I was scared. I’d never been that far from my mom or family.
I didn’t believe it was real until I landed in Europe and saw him. That moment—I never would’ve dreamed of that when I first started cycling. To this day, I talk about it with random people and always give Jerry credit.
He took me outside my comfort zone, outside the U.S., and helped me build connections across the world. That showed me how much he truly cared—he wanted nothing from it except for me to succeed and eventually lead the next group.
Your family was clearly proud at your graduation. How do they feel about Jerry and about cycling overall?
At first, it was strange. My family didn’t know Jerry. But once my mom met him, she understood his role in my life.
My family doesn’t really understand cycling. When I first came home in kit, my mom was like, “What is that?” But what they understood was that cycling was bigger than the bike, bigger than the jersey.
They saw how it made me feel. They saw the exhaustion, but also the smile. They saw dedication. I tried basketball and football—those didn’t stick. Cycling did.
My mom supported me fully—driving me to races, calling to motivate me, telling me to focus on myself. Cycling became part of our family, even if they didn’t understand the mechanics.
Jaheim’s family and friends at his graduation, including his twin brother, sister, and younger brother Donald, who is a member of the BCYC team at Pickett.
What did it mean to have Jerry at your graduation?
Jerry was one of the first people I called when I knew I was graduating. I wanted him there to see the outcome of what he helped build.
Seeing him at graduation felt like everything came full circle. I remembered that first conversation freshman year—him asking, “Is this what you want to do?” And me saying yes.
That was the moment he committed to me, and I committed to seeing it through. As long as he didn’t give up on me, I wasn’t giving up on myself.
Is there something you’d want Jerry to hear directly from you?
Jerry, you were a pillar in my life. You gave me experiences I’ll never take for granted. You gave me your time, your support, your belief.
You reminded me that the bike can pause—that school comes first. Those moments made or broke my college career.
You are one of the most impactful people in my life. Everything you taught me, I’m passing on. I’m planting the same seed you planted in me.
Thank you for believing in me, for checking in on my life, my mental health, my family. You created a safe space where I could be honest. For that, I’m forever grateful.
Now that you’ve graduated, what role do you see yourself playing with BCYC moving forward?
As an alumnus, I feel a responsibility to give back. BCYC fixed my bike, supported me, and gave me opportunities.
I want to give back not just money, but love. Coaching, speaking, helping at events—whatever I can do. BCYC helped shape me, and I want to support the next generation.
You now have a degree in Supply Chain Management. What does the future look like for you?
Right now, I’m applying for jobs and getting back into training. In the next few years, I’d love to work in the cycling industry—supply chain, manufacturing, distribution.
Long-term, I want to create my own cycling brand—something for everyone, especially my family and community. I want it connected to BCYC. I want to be around for the long run and build something meaningful for Philadelphia.
For someone considering supporting or joining BCYC, what would you want them to know?
BCYC is family-oriented. It’s more than cycling. They push love. They teach you life skills—careers, professionalism, confidence.
They step in where you’re lacking and help you grow. They plant a seed and water it all the way through. They don’t ask for anything except to see you succeed.
Years later, you realize how much influence they had on your life.
We are always looking for more enthusiastic people to join our BCYC team. If you or someone you know is interested, please reach out to Habib Faye at habib@bicyclecoalition.org
Safe streets are a right, not a privilege. We’re creating a stronger community WITH YOU! Investing in our year-round advocacy and education work makes Greater Philadelphia a safer and more fun place to ride—right now, the Coalition is asking 750 folks to join or renew their support for another year to continue that work. More info here.