How one of KC’s earliest Esports leaders is leveling up inclusive gaming (and why it’s C-suite or bust for his next plays)

Change comes through leadership, said AbdulRasheed Yahaya, announcing he’s acquired co-ownership of one of the largest Esports facilities in the nation — positioning him to take the controller and level up on his long-standing commitment to make the industry a fair game for all. 

“To do this, I’ve always known I have to be at the decision making table,” Yahaya told Startland News, recalling past executive roles within various Esports entities including Unified.GG where he serves as chief business development officer and as founder-turned-president of Local Legends Gaming — the mobile gaming center he sold to the Unified Esports Association (UEA) in 2020. 

LEVELUP Arena at GameTime District in Overland Park

Yahaya has since acquired co-ownership of GameTime District — a 35,000-square-foot entertainment district within the Rosana Square retail center 7300 W 119th St. in Overland Park. 

“Three things that are for sure pandemic proof: video games, education, and entertainment,” he said, referring to the state of the economy amid the COVID-19 pandemic and whether its volatility gave him pause about the decision to go all-in with the company. 

“I plan to [use this opportunity to] create a pathway for players at every level — students, competitors, and even teachers seeking to continue their education to better serve their students.” 

The space is home to EXP Bar, Wingman’s Kitchen, Vivo Live, and LEVELUP Arena: a 10,000-square-foot Esports and production facility — the largest in the Kansas and Missouri region, Yahya noted, and home to the Kansas City Monarch Esports team. 

LEVELUP arena being here presented the opportunity to continue making Kansas City a major hub for Esports by giving it a physical home. The team at LEVELUP was already doing an amazing job on the competitive side of Esports and I had been searching for my next major investment — and I couldn’t think of a better time to place a stake back in Kansas City,” Yahaya said. 

Take a video tour of the LEVELUP Arena, then keep reading.

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Next level

Yahaya’s ownership in GameTime District isn’t level one in his game of brick-and-mortar entrepreneurship. He opened Local Legends Gaming Center in 2018 at 3933 Main St. in Westport — an expansion for the Local Legends gaming truck that served much of what LEVELUP now offers. 

He closed the facility in the summer of 2019 after six months of business. 

“The Local Legends Gaming Center was an experimental concept that taught me exactly what Kansas City was ready for regarding shared gaming experiences and events-wise,” he recalled. 

“Going from a 5,000-square-foot event space to a 35,000-square-foot entertainment district, entertainment seekers should expect quite the leveled-up experience.”

“With four bar options, live music, and multiple food options — we’ve brought what was once One Block South district to an inclusive experience everyone should enjoy.”

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“LEVELUP creates a hub for aspiring champions to train, compete, and create. There are so many career pathways that can stem from Esports. This space will create professional gamers and Esports professionals,” he added, noting he hopes his ownership of the facility can inspire Black and brown gamers and those from other diverse backgrounds to pursue careers in leadership and entrepreneurship. 

“In a time when representation couldn’t matter more, minorities need to see others like them in leadership and executive roles if we want to show they’re equally valuable and valued,” Yahaya said. 

“Black adults only fill only 0.8 percent  of Fortune 500 CEO roles. Obviously, at some level, every [organization] wants to be diverse. But it can easily go wrong if it isn’t authentic.”

The easiest way to (authentically) change such numbers: fill leadership positions with diverse talent, he continued. 

“Diversity and inclusion is bigger than what [a company or organization chooses to] do for, say, Black History Month. … How do you promote diversity year-round?”

For that reason, Yahaya said, he’ll never settle for a position within an Esports entity that is outside of its C-Suite or leadership team.

“Nothing less — because I’m not less,” he said.

AbdulRasheed Yahaya, LEVELUP, GameTime District

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This story is possible thanks to support from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, a private, nonpartisan foundation that works together with communities in education and entrepreneurship to create uncommon solutions and empower people to shape their futures and be successful.

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