GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) Black Student-Athlete Alliance (BSAA) became an officially recognized group by the university last year.
It's a big step forward for the group of student-athletes committed to impacting meaningful change and making a difference.
The members of the BSAA executive board are:
"It was important to start the BSAA so that black student athletes and staff have a comfortable space to create a greater sense of community within the athletic department," Powell said. "It's personally meaningful to me that we are able to create this group because prior to, there was nothing of its kind within athletics. I think it serves as an opportunity to bring us together in a time meant to tear us apart."
The BSAA is chaired by
Eric Burns, senior associate athletic director for business operations and Dr.
Lauren Griffin, assistant athletic trainer.
Started in August, the purpose of the group was to provide a safe space for Black student-athletes to express themselves and to create a community committed to education, amplifying voices, and unity.
Through intimate and informational-led discussions by UNCG's Black student-athletes, awareness has been shared about the current social and political climate. Through impactful monthly Zoom calls, issues that have affected Blacks and their communities have been addressed.
They had two impactful speakers share their experiences. In September, Dr. DeAnne Brooks, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Kinesiology at UNCG, spoke on the value of supporting Black women in society. In October, Bryant Kirk White, Executive Director of ABevyInc, shared his personal story and talked on the topic of toxic masculinity.
In addition, the calls have served as a safe space for student-athletes to be vulnerable and transparent in sharing their feelings about the Breonna Taylor verdict, voting education, the presidential election, and more issues are impactful to their experiences as UNCG Black student-athletes. The BSAA co-hosted a destress day during finals with SAAC. Members also recently attended the virtual Black Student-Athlete summit.
The BSAA is committed to fostering growth towards a more diverse, equitable and inclusive community.
"For our mission to be vetted and approved by the university shows that we have their support in this effort to cultivate community on campus," Boyd said. "One of our goals is to uplift and educate the Black community. It just feels good to know we have the opportunity to reach outside of the athletic department."
