Kwamie was born in Hampton, VA and raised in Newport News, Virginia, He was his mother, Darial Lassiter Cockerham, oldest of four. Growing up, his grandparents’, Roscoe, Sr. & Fannie Lassiter’s home was always special to him. He always thought it was a great place where family was first and where he learned Christian values. His passion to give back undoubtedly comes from watching his grandparents take care of the world with a lot of love, compassion and understanding. He continued observing this from his grandparents even through his adult age. What was most impressive to him was that they did all of this without a great deal of financial means. As he got older, he finally understood it was God who made it all possible. It was very clear to him that helping and giving back was imperative.

Kwamie attended Menchville High School in Newport News before heading to the University of Kansas where he studied Communication/ Public Relations with a great stop in between while receiving an Associate of Arts at Butler County Community College (Go Grizzlies!).
After playing football at the University of Kansas from 1991 to 1994, he was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 1995.

Kwamie resided in Chandler, AZ until his passing in January 2019. He was an avid golfer and very involved in community supporting various local charities. His wife Ericka and his children continue to keep Kwamie’s legacy alive and will continue his vision through The Kwamie Lassiter Foundation.