Kareem’s Story
Kareem Rosser is the author of the award-winning memoir, “Crossing the Line: A Fearless Team of Brothers and the Sport that Changed their Lives Forever.” He was born and raised in West Philadelphia. At the age of eight, Kareem began riding horses and playing polo through the local non-profit, Work to Ride after his brothers discovered a barn full of horses riding their bicycles through Fairmount Park. Founded by Lezlie Hiner, Work to Ride empowers inner city youth through horsemanship, equine sports, and education programs.
“Work to Ride saved my life and my family’s life, as it took us away from the drugs and violence we faced in our community and at home.”
In 2007, Kareem received an academic scholarship to Valley Forge Military Academy where the structure, discipline, and diversity of military school impacted his life for the better. He made history in 2011 when he led the Work to Ride team, featuring his brother Daymar Rosser and Brandon Rease to a National Interscholastic Polo Championship, becoming the first ever African American polo team to do so. As a result he earned the Polo Training Foundation Male Interscholastic Polo Player of the Year award. In 2015, he led Colorado State University to a collegiate National Championship and received the Polo Training Foundation Intercollegiate Player of the Year award.
Kareem graduated from Colorado State University with a bachelor’s degree in Economics in 2016. After graduation, he returned to Philadelphia to work as a financial analyst. Kareem is also a board member and treasurer of the Work to Ride program. Since 2018, he has led development efforts for Work to Ride, helping to raise millions to support the program and their state-of-the-art barn renovation.
Watch the stadium ground breaking below:
In 2021, Kareem released his ALA award-winning memoir. The book has received critical acclaim and landed on some of the book world’s most esteemed reading lists.
“Crossing the Line is a story of hope and perseverance. I want folks to know when they’re down or they’re struggling, it’s a part of life and I hope this story can inspire or uplift whoever may need it at the time.”
He has traveled to Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America to play in some of the world’s most prestigious polo tournaments including the Townsend Cup, Unicef Cup, and more. Kareem has been featured on HBO Real Sports, 60 Minutes, ESPN E: 60, NBC Today’s Show and numerous other national publications. He has also been featured as a model in campaigns for Ralph Lauren Polo.
One of Kareem’s life missions is to inspire and empower others by sharing his story and life experience through keynote speaking. He has spoken at many notable corporations and academic institutions including the SEI Investment Company, Mars Inc., Accenture, Ralph Lauren, Colorado State University, and many more.
Kareem is the co-founder of the Philadelphia Polo Classic, the city’s first ever polo event. The PPC welcomes over 3,000 guests annually to Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park, attracting local and national audiences for a sensational event centered around polo matches featuring the sport’s greatest champions. Proceeds from the PPC benefit the Work to Ride program.
Courtesy of Ralph Lauren Polo