Black Leaders In Sport Network’s Post

🌟 Five years ago, a serendipitous match at Whitehawk brought two exceptional Black officials, Joel Mannix and Aji Ajibola, together. ⚽️🤝 Not only did this game foster a deep friendship, but it also sparked a journey towards a higher purpose. A mission that will continue, influencing lives and shaping futures, long after their time as officials. 🚀 This purpose is not just about changing rules; it's about changing mindsets and creating new possibilities. 💡 It has galvanised many, including myself, to drive change and work towards a more inclusive future. 🌍💪 Each time we see increased representation, it's likely that the efforts of Aji and Joel are woven into that progress. 📈 Their dedication and hard work are helping the fabric of the communities see themselves reflected in roles they may not have previously considered. 🌐 The power of representation is immense - it inspires, motivates, and opens doors to new beginnings. 🚪🌟 Every success story reported, every barrier broken, is not just an individual achievement; it's a beacon of hope that lights the way for others. 💫 I am excited to watch Aji's journey and look forward to the day he officiates in the premier league. 🏆🎯 Here's to a future where everyone has the best seat in the stadium. 🏟️🥂 Aji Ajibola Joel Mannix Arran Williams The Football Association EFL (English Football League) The Premier League Kent FA Raj Randhawa Minesh Gupta Farai Hallam Jeff Davis Kevin Yusuf Coleman Lauren Emmerson, LMSW Lorraine Humm Martin Cassidy Tom Amber Tom Webb #ChangeMakers #RepresentationMatters #HigherPurpose #InclusionInSports https://lnkd.in/eBbgTZ9T

Honoring Excellence and Embracing Inclusion: Recognizing Negro League Records Alongside MLB Historic Records Let's celebrate the marking of a significant milestone in the journey toward genuine inclusion in the world of baseball. The official integration of Negro League records alongside Major League Baseball (MLB) records is not just a rectification of historical oversight; it is a celebration of excellence and an acknowledgment of the indomitable spirit of the athletes who played under the most challenging conditions. This inclusion is a powerful testament to the fact that celebrating all isn't exclusive but a sincere form of honest inclusion. By recognizing the achievements of Negro League players, we are not only honoring their extraordinary contributions to the sport but also reinforcing the continued importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in every sphere of life. In our journey toward a more equitable society, it is essential to remember that DEI is not merely a policy or a set of guidelines. It is a commitment to acknowledging and valuing the diverse experiences and talents that everyone brings to the table. Just as the Negro League players have enriched the legacy of baseball, so too does a diverse workforce enrich our organizations, drive innovation, and foster resilience. As we celebrate this momentous step in baseball history, let us also renew our commitment to DEI in our professional and personal lives. Let us continue to create spaces where every voice is heard, every talent is recognized, and every individual has the opportunity to excel. #Inclusion #Diversity #Equity #NegroLeagues #MLB #HonoringExcellence #DEI #CelebrateAll #BaseballHistory #InclusionMatters

💡 Insight: nearly all Black soccer fans believe the sport's popularity has skyrocketed in their community, but fewer than 50% believe opportunities to participate have kept pace. We connected with participants of Black Star—our player and fan engagement brand facilitating growth of soccer in Black communities—to help marketers and other industry stakeholders better understand how this audience views their soccer (and non-soccer) interests. Read up on insights from the following areas: ⚽ Opinions on participation and representation ⚽ Origins of soccer fandom ⚽ Favorite leagues, teams, and players ⚽ Soccer consumption habits ⚽ Favorite music, favorite snacks, and more!

The NBA did not allow black players to participate until 1950. #blackhistorymonth Since then, Basketball has grown to be the most popular sport in North America. Beating out other competitors in the industry such as Hockey and Baseball who have seemingly not done enough work on the barriers to entry for blacks and other minority groups. This fact raises questions on other faucets of community that have raised gates keeping blacks and other minorities from joining the industry e.g. industries looking at credit scores as a disqualifying factor for most applications. Are these industries missing out on the expertise brought by black people and other minorities from their unique lived experiences? Could we see a change and growth in these industries by bringing down this gates? Who really benefits from from the gates of gatekeeping? The wider community? Investors? The status quo? Something to think about -- Do the gates we put up in these industries work to our benefit? or against us? ...stopping us from being able to access the ideas on the other side of the gate, ideas that might be worth exploring and key to connecting dots needed for growth #blackhistory #blackhistorymonth #blackhistorymonth2024

#facts NBA = No Black-owned Assets 1. There's no majority owner in the National Basketball Association who is of African American heritage. 2. The NBA could of started with a blacked owned, all black basketball team. 3. The NBA's economic objectives are global and international, not domestic resulting in more investment beyond the US boarder then in the US. 4. The African American community has been negligent in stewarding the athletic talent and creating institutions to do so. 5. The No Backboard Basketball League is purposed to create new, #blackowned , economic lanes for black and brown athletes, entrepreneurs, and creatives. Article: NBA = No Black-Owned Assets https://lnkd.in/gfTaDmfw

Congrats Jason Tatum for your well deserved victories! In taking a closer a look at how culture makes profits for NBA2K , the data shows that 95% of the video game value comes from exploiting Black creativity, likeness & influence. (Kellogg Brand Report 2023) It’s not OK to exploit Black Athletes without reinvesting in Black communities. We call forward Take-Two Interactive, National Basketball Association (NBA) and THINK450 to ethical trade. Join the movement to change how the world participates with Black Culture. https://lnkd.in/grivzfwc #EthicalTrade #GetMADE Note: CALL FORWARD is an invitation to fix unacceptable behavior causing harm with a sustainable solution benefiting people, planet & profits.

Since 2021, the NFL has included “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” in the Super Bowl in honor of Black History Month. This year, the criticism seemed louder, calling the song divisive and even offensive to our national anthem. Some even booed Andra Day as she belted out the inspirational tune. Much of that criticism stems from the song’s nickname as the Black National Anthem. 📚Quick History Lesson James Weldon Johnson wrote, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” as a poem in honor of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. His brother set it to music and a group of school children performed it for a celebration for the late president. Fast forward to 1919, one of the most violent years for Black Americans post Civil War. The NAACP declared “Lift Every Voice and Sing” their official song. They began promoting it as the Black National Anthem and as a rallying cry for the fight for freedom and justice. In 1919, the United States did not have a national anthem. We didn’t get that until 1931 when Congress officially made the “Star Spangled Banner” our national anthem. So is “Lift Every Voice and Sing” divisive? I’d say quite the opposite. The song doesn’t say lift Black voices, but every voice. Singing it is recognizing and honoring our history. It doesn’t replace or compete with our national anthem. It is a song that inspires and envisions liberty and justice for all. For those who take issue with its 125 year old nickname, is it the semantics that’s the issue or just the concept of freedom and justice for all? https://lnkd.in/eTmg8MJJ #lifteveryvoiceandsing #blackhistorymonth #blacknationalanthem #nfl #superbowl #andraday #nationalanthem #bhm #dei #diversityequityinclusion #superbowl2024 #diversity #historyfacts #historylessons #naacp

Stephen A. Smith and the Lack of Black Coaches in the NBA In this video, we discuss why Stephen A. Smith missed an opportunity to advocate for more black coaches in the NBA. Join the conversation as we analyze the impact of representation in the league. #StephenASmith #BlackCoaches #NBA #RepresentationMatters #SportsTalk #BasketballAnalysis #RaceInSports #DiversityandInclusion #SportsCommentary #NBAUpdates

Throughout Black History Month, we honor the profound contributions, struggles, and triumphs of Black individuals and communities. Today let's look at the individuals that caved the path in sports! - Jack Johnson was the first African American heavyweight champion and his reign lasted from 1908-1915. 💪🏿 - Jackie Robinson was the first African American to play Major League Baseball. ⚾ - Althea Gibson was the first African American on the LPGA Tour. ⛳ . . . #educative #lifeateducative #altheagibson #jackierobinson #jackjohnson #blackhistorymonth #africanamericanhistory #blackhistoryweek #supportdiversity #diversityandinclusion #diversity #inclusion #edtech #techcompany #techindustry #software #softwareengineer #softwaredevelopment #greatplacetowork #fastestgrowingcompany #joinnow #applynow #blackathletes

Today, I want to highlight the importance of being intentional in recognizing and rectifying historical injustices. Major League Baseball (MLB) has taken a significant step by including the statistics of Black players who were previously excluded due to segregation. This long-overdue acknowledgment not only honors the incredible talent of these athletes but also sets a precedent for doing the right thing. One standout example is Josh Gibson, whose remarkable achievements were never fully recognized. In fact, Gibson's stats surpass those of legends like Babe Ruth. By including his and other Black players' records, we are finally giving them the recognition they deserve. Let's continue to strive for fairness and inclusivity in ALL aspects of life! We still have a long way to go!! full video here (snip of video attached) https://lnkd.in/exGjmkQn #MLB #Inclusion #HistoricalJustice #JoshGibson #IntentionalActions #recognition #honor #beintentional