Jason hails from the south suburb of Harvey, Illinois. Jason attended Maya Angelou elementary school and Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School. Jason Griffin went on to attend Thornridge High School where he was a student-athlete and was a four-year letter-man in football, basketball, and baseball. He began his college career at Iowa State University where he continued his success as a student-athlete as a defensive back on the Iowa State football team. Jason completed his education and collegiate sports career at Southern University A&M, in Baton Rouge, and pursued the pathway to become a professional athlete. He later earned a Master’s degree in International Trades from Louisiana State University.

Jason is entering his 13^th year as strength and conditioning specialist. In 2009-12 seasons, served on the Oakland Raiders strength and conditioning staff. From 2012-15, he served as a strength and conditioning coach in the New York Mets organization, 2016-18 served as the Chicago White Sox-Ace Director of Strength and Conditioning. He currently is a strength and conditioning consultant for professional sports organizations. Jason Griffin has an array of entrepreneurial pursuits. He is the Founder and CEO of IMR Athletics Sports Performance, in addition, Jason is a youth motivational speaker to motivate, inspire, and encourage our youth throughout various communities in the country. Jason Griffin always had a philanthropic spirit which naturally led him to establish The Jason Griffin Foundation in 2007. The Foundation, coupled with Jason’s commitment to serving his community, has helped change the lives of many children, single mothers and single fathers all across the Country; and promoting education, advancement, sport camps, arts, and activities for the youth. A few most recent notable contributions and recent achievements of Jason Griffin and the Jason Griffin Foundation are:

December 2020, Jason Griffin Foundation Christmas charitable donation to Jesse White Learning Academy grades K-2nd, June 2020, Jason Griffin Foundation scholarship was awarded to one senior from District 205 High Schools: Thornton, Thornridge, and Thornwood in amount of $1,000 each; December 2018, Jason Griffin Foundation 10 School Christmas Tour, over 40 students received a pair of shoes, multipurpose backpack, and gift card for their parents. Harvey School District 152 and West Harvey-Dixmoor School District 147 schools that were selected out of the 10 schools included Maya Angelou elementary, King elementary, and Rosa Parks middle school. In February 2018, Griffin donated 450 backpacks to the entire Rosa Parks middle school in recognition of 6 students doing the right thing after finding a gun on school grounds. In 2017, Jason received the District 205 Jefferson Award Outstanding Service By A Professional Athlete; he donated 2,500 back to school bags that every student received in Harvey School District 152; the donation of new Rawlings gloves and balls to the Youth Baseball Association of South Suburban 2017 baseball clinics. In September and October of 2016, the foundation hosted the “Jason Griffin Foundation New Balance Backpack Giveaway Education over Violence Tour” that encouraged over 1,800 students throughout the South Suburban and Chicago area to fight violence by staying focus and excited about education; November and December of 2016 donation of 500 coats to Harvey Park District. The foundation strongly supports the youth of Harvey, Harvey School District 152, Thornton Township School District 205, and the South Suburban and Chicago area. Additionally, the Foundation sponsors Gwendolyn Brooks Middle school annual Christmas Toy Drive Basketball game to raise toys for kids throughout the community, 2012 – present, the Jason Griffin Foundation award has been given to 36 students throughout the area and nationally in the last 6 years for students with academic excellence.

Jason Griffin, dating back to his sophomore year in College has always shown a keen interest in the youth; during the breaks, Jason would give back his time by speaking to elementary, middle, high schools, and summer camps. Jason has always had a big heart and desire to make a difference. Thus, he seized the opportunity to give back and help the youth community. After achieving success as a speaker, Jason became a nationwide youth motivational speaker; making appearances and participating in speaking engagements all across the Country. Griffin speaks on topics relevant and impacting today’s youth like the importance of education, gang violence/crime, and health and wellness. Jason endeavors to motivate, inspire, and encourage our youth. Jason heads his own national mentor program entitled “Never Give Up”, where he gives support, guidance, and mentors the youth to build character, leadership, and responsibility. Jason Griffin is revered for his great smile and humanitarianism. Jason attributes much of his success to God, close friends and three special people in his life; Mother Leonia Jackson, Brother Dr. Roosevelt Griffin and late passing Grandmother Iris Marie Robinson.