Champions of Change: The RISE Podcast: Recent Episodes
Champions of Change: The RISE Podcast
With two new episodes each month, Champions of Change: The RISE Podcast gives athletes and leaders in sports a platform to tell their stories and share their perspectives on issues of race, social justice and diversity, equity & inclusion in sports. Hosted by Ian Cutler, our podcast features interviews on how athletes are making a difference in their communities, and the power of sports to bring people together, improve race relations and advance racial equity and social justice.
We were thrilled to welcome an array of outstanding guests on the Champions of Change: The RISE Podcast during the Super Bowl, and to honor Black History Month, we are excited to present a two-part series. In this second part, we had the honor of engaging with former player Picasso Nelson Jr., Antoine Wesley of the Cardinals, and Dakoda Martin of the Saints. Each interview was impactful, bringing a unique perspective and inspiring insights. Our discussions ranged from strategies for building success to the importance of community and allyship, and why representation matters. Our aim was to celebrate African Americans and allies who are making a significant impact in our communities and shine a light on their inspiring stories.
While the Chiefs and the Eagles were making history on the field, we had the opportunity to connect with leading figures in the NFL community to discuss how they are making history off the field.In the first part of a two-part series, we sat down with former NFLPA Lawyer, Joe Briggs, to discuss the impact the NFLPA has on all aspects of player development and his thoughts on how we can move forward. Next, we interviewed former NFL commissioner, Paul Tagliabue, and former player turned entrepreneur, Ryan Munday, to discuss the importance of community building, mental health, and strong leadership. Lastly, we engaged with Sheldon Day of the Minnesota Vikings and discussed how he is doing his part to support athletes and his community.At RISE, we believe there is no better way to celebrate Black History Month than by highlighting leaders who are creating history now and changing the narratives of their communities.
On MLK Day, we honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his impact on civil rights. Please tune in to the Champions of Change podcast where we explore how to carry on his work through sports and the sports community. With guests Jesse Luketa, outside linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals and Shaun Mayo, the Chief People Officer for the Arizona Cardinals, we delve into athlete activism, promoting safe spaces for dialogue, and fostering community. Get a unique perspective on how civil rights and sports intersect and discover how each of us can make a meaningful impact on society.
Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15 through October 15, highlighting the many contributions made by those with Hispanic heritage. During this month, many Latin American countries also celebrate their independence. The month is marked by the celebration of history, culture and contributions of generations of Hispanic and Latinx people that have shaped and influenced society. In this conversation, RISE's Scarlen Martinez speaks with Jhoancy Zapata, a Latina who co-owns Z-Axis Sports Management, a boutique marketing and sports agency representing clients across multiple sports.
Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15 through October 15, highlighting the many contributions made by those with Hispanic heritage. During this month, many Latin American countries also celebrate their independence. The month is marked by the celebration of history, culture and contributions of generations of Hispanic and Latinx people that have shaped and influenced society. In this conversation, RISE's Scarlen Martinez speaks with CJ Perez of U.S. SailGP, a Latina athlete who is fast becoming an icon in the sport of sailing and a shining example in the Latino community.
How equal is the playing field in sports, especially for women of color? Gwen Berry, a U.S. Olympic Hammer Thrower and social justice activist, shares her experience facing racial and gender discrimination on and off the field, and discusses the motivation for and impact of her national anthem protests for racial justice on the international stage. RISE Sr. Director of Empowerment Scarlen Martinez co-hosts her first episode alongside Ian Cutler.
Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the passage of Title IX, we speak with Sarah Axelson, Vice President of Advocacy at the Women’s Sports Foundation. Sarah joins RISE's Ian Cutler and Natalia Chino to discuss the impact of Title IX and the significance of this anniversary, assessing the landscape of women’s sports today and the progress made in respect to equality and inclusivity. She also discusses the additional barriers faced by girls and women of color and the deeper disparities that exist for them in comparison to white women and men in sports and beyond. Finally, Sarah talks about the efforts of the Women’s Sports Foundation, how they are celebrating the 50th anniversary of Title IX and the work that still needs to be done to achieve true equity and inclusion in sports.
As we approach Juneteenth, the celebration of the end of slavery in this country, we share this RISE critical Conversation from the recently held University of Maryland Sports Business Conference. With lawmakers across the country seeking to restrict the way issues of race, diversity and inclusion are discussed and taught in schools and places of work, this conversation addresses how we talk, teach and tackle racism in the collegiate space, particularly in athletics. With such legislative efforts rising in various states, Juneteenth serves as a reminder for the need to acknowledge and learn from our history and continue to push in the modern day fight for racial and social justice. In this conversation, we tackle these issues head-on, addressing athlete activism, amateurism and racial equity in college sports and the importance of engaging in honest conversations around racism and inclusivity. Moderated by University of Maryland Assistant Athletic Director of Student-Athlete Development, Resa Lovelace, the conversation features RISE CEO Diahann Billings-Burford; Kevin Blackistone, Professor of the Practice at the Phillip Merrill College of Journalism, Washington Post columnist and ESPN Around The Horn panelist; Maryland Women’s Volleyball Player Rainelle Jones; and Dr. Ronald Mower, Lecturer Kinesiology, Maryland School of Public Health.
During the height of the COVID pandemic in 2020, Denver Broncos all-pro safety Justin Simmons began joining weekly virtual sessions of a RISE multi-week leadership program with youth from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver. The program provided a safe space for teens to learn about diversity and inclusion related topics, and discuss what it means to be a champion of change for addressing racism and injustice in their communities. The impact of those sessions resonate today.
Two teens from that program, Nashara and Ray Ray, have since established themselves as leaders within their community. Mentored by Simmons through the RISE program and other engagements at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club, they’ve organized two Marches for Peace to remember those lost to violence and work towards a more equitable and safe future. They and Simmons are also back participating in this year’s in-person RISE leadership program for youth at the BGCMD, engaging a new group of students from the Broncos Club and the Suncor Boys & Girls Club on critical topics of race, identity and community building. That program concludes on May 25, so in this conversation, we speak with Justin, Nashara, Ray Ray and Angel, another student from this year’s program, to discuss the impact of these conversations and how to create more inclusive and equitable communities.
The Intercollegiate Sailing Association Inclusivity, Diversity, and Equity Task Force - otherwise known as ICSA TIDE - is dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive sailing community. Four of its student-athlete leaders – Lily Allen, University of Michigan; Preston Anderson, Bowdoin College; Michelle Lahrkamp, Stanford University; and Emi Ruth, Brown University – join us to discuss the experiences of women and athletes of color in this majority-white sport, the barriers they need to break to overcome the sport's perception of privilege and exclusivity and how they and TIDE are seeking to make the sport more inclusive at all levels.
When Jackie Robinson broke the MLB color barrier on April 15, 1947, it was as a seminal moment in the fight for racial justice that changed our country forever. But 75 years later, we must ask if we have made enough progress since. What can we learn from Robinson’s life and legacy to continue that fight both within sport and in society? As we celebrate Jackie Robinson Day and the 75th anniversary of his groundbreaking achievements, we speak with Nichol Whiteman, the CEO of the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation. Nichol shares her personal connection to Robinson and his family and tells us how the Dodgers Foundation honors his memory through its programs that empower youth, address social injustice and uplift underserved and underprivileged communities. We also discuss what it means to be a pioneer, asking Nichol how she has handled being the only woman or the only person of a color in a given professional space, and ask what she hopes others can learn from Jackie Robinson about the importance of representation and valuing diversity and inclusion.
In the height of March Madness, RISE’s Dr. Andrew Mac Intosh leads this conversation with Omar Brown (BIG TEN, Senior Vice President, People & Culture Officer), Felicia Martin (NCAA Senior Vice President of Inclusion, Education, and Community Engagement) and Bill Shelton (Group 1001 Chief Marketing Officer), as they discuss addressing challenges of racism, diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and ways to create more inclusive cultures within college athletics and beyond.
This RISE Critical Conversation was recorded in front of a live audience of college administrators and corporate sponsors at the 2022 BIG TEN Basketball Tournament in Indianapolis, and followed a workshop RISE led for that group focused on inclusive leadership. The program was organized by the Indiana Sports Corp.
Washington Commanders Head Coach Ron Rivera and Pro Football Hall of Famer Mel Blount join us from Radio Row at Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles to discuss issues of race, diversity and inclusion within the NFL and society. They also speak to their own experiences with racism and leveraging the platform of sport to advance racial equity and social justice.
RISE Chief Program Officer Dr. Andrew Mac Intosh leads this conversation with Dasha Smith, NFL Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer; Jim Rooney, Pittsburgh Steelers, the son of late Steelers Chairman Dan Rooney, the namesake of the NFL’s Rooney Rule; Professor N. Jeremi Duru, Professor of Sports Law at American University and author of Advancing The Ball: Race, Reformation, and the Quest for Equal Coaching Opportunity in the NFL; and Diahann Billings-Burford, RISE CEO.
The conversation covers: What does it take to create an inclusive culture? What can be done to address racial disparities in the NFL? Where does systemic racism exist in sports and how do we address it? How can organizations enforce inclusivity and create more opportunities for diverse candidates? Are policies, such as the Rooney Rule, enough?
What does it mean to be an ally in the fight against racism? In this conversation, we explore the meaning of the term allyship, the challenges that come with being an ally and ways to make college athletics a more inclusive space.
Megan Skaggs and Mary Korlin-Downs, two All-American gymnasts who are both white, are spearheading separate efforts to promote racial equity and inclusion. Skaggs, a student-athlete at the University of Florida, created a cause-based campaign, the Tiny Bow Project, raising funds and awareness for different social issues during each week of her gymnastics season. Causes thus far have included human trafficking, LGBTQ+ rights and autism, and this week her cause is 'Allyship.' She is using her platform to support RISE’s work and efforts to achieve racial justice. She’ll be wearing matching bows in her hair to represent this cause during Florida’s home meet on Feb. 11 against LSU and is getting teammates and opponents to do the same.
Korlin-Downs, who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2021, has since created a new company, Our Colour Wrap, which designs inclusive athletic tape to match a wide spectrum of skin tones for athletes of all races and colors.
RISE’s Peyton Finley and Kim Miller host this conversation with Olympic Gold Medalist Benita Fitzgerald Mosley to celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day (Feb. 2) and the start of Black History Month. Fitzgerald Mosley is Vice President of Community & Impact at LeagueApps and President of Fundplay, an initiative that supports sports-based youth development organizations in underserved communities across the country. Fitzgerald Mosley discusses the challenges that girls and women, particularly those of color, face within the sports industry, from access at the youth level to overcoming biases and hiring hurdles at the professional ranks. She also shares how the sports industry can become more equitable and inclusive.
Formed jointly by the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association in 2020, the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition is a 501(c)(4) advocacy organization that leads the NBA family’s collaborative efforts to address racial inequality and advance social justice. James Cadogan is the Coalition’s first Executive Director, a post he has held since April 2021. Cadogan previously served as the inaugural director of the Thurgood Marshall Institute at the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and spent eight years in the administration of President Barack Obama, where he was a senior official at the United States Department of Justice. Cadogan joins RISE’s Ian Cutler and Jared Shanker to discuss the Coalition’s priorities and intentions for 2022 around policing, criminal justice reform and voting rights, and shares inspiring examples of athlete activism. We also discuss how the Coalition unites NBA players, executives, coaches and team governors, as well as the overall landscape of 2022 and how advocates for racial justice in sports and beyond can build on the momentum from the last two years to achieve real progress.
Professional sailing is often associated with privilege and exclusivity, but the U.S. SailGP Team is committed to making their sport more inclusive, and is taking the necessary steps to do just that. In June 2021, they launched “Foiling First,” an initiative aimed at creating opportunities for diverse youth to pursue sailing and educating and empowering the entire sailing community to address matters of racism, discrimination and inclusivity through a partnership with RISE. RISE's Ian Cutler and Jared Shanker speak with two pro athletes from the U.S. SailGP Team who have taken different paths to reach the top of their sport but are both actively trying to make it more inclusive: Andrew Campbell is a veteran sailor who has competed for Team USA in the Olympics and participated in two America's Cup races. CJ Perez is the youngest and first Latina to compete for the U.S. SailGP Team in its history, debuting at age 18 at the Spain Sail Grand Prix in October 2021. CJ and Andrew discuss how the sport of sailing can overcome its diversity and inclusion challenges, the impact that Foiling First and RISE trainings can have for the future of the sport and the adversity they've seen and faced throughout their careers.
When RISE educates on how sport can be a vehicle for change we often explore the different ways athletes and teams can leverage their platforms to raise awareness around critical issues, and one powerful example is by wearing special apparel. This season, select players and staff from the Los Angeles Rams are wearing custom-made RISE cleats during the NFL’s My Cause My Cleats campaign to raise awareness for our mission to end racism and champion social justice. The driving force behind the Rams support for RISE is our joint community leadership program, RISE with the Rams, which is running for the fourth consecutive year. RISE with the Rams brings together athletes and coaches from five Los Angeles area high school football teams that represent a cross section of racial and socioeconomic backgrounds. The goal of the program is to develop leadership, understanding, acceptance and cultural competence for high school athletes, coaches and Los Angeles Police Department officers. In this conversation, RISE’s Dr. Collin Williams sits down with Rams defensive backs Robert Rochell and JuJu Hughes, who are wearing RISE cleats for My Cause My Cleats during the Rams home game on Sunday, December 5. They’re joined by three high school football coaches who are part of this year’s RISE with the Rams program: Cisco Saldana of MaCES, Jacob Ochoa of Glendale High School and Daniel Davidson of Western High School. Juju and Robert share their personal experiences dealing with racism and why they chose to support RISE and our mission through My Cause, My Cleats this season. The group also discusses topics such as bias and stereotypes, the importance of education around issues of racism and the impact RISE with the Rams is having by empowering young athletes to be leaders for racial justice and inclusion in their communities.
On Election Day 2021, we speak with Georgia Tech Men’s Basketball Associate Head Coach Eric Reveno, who has played an integral in helping to create the student-athlete-inspired #AllVoteNoPlay initiative taking place today across the NCAA, where coaches and student-athletes are required to pause from practice to focus on civic engagement and community action. Coach Rev joins RISE's Ian Cutler and Jared Shanker to talk about this initiative and how coaches and student-athletes can take action today to positively impact their communities. We define what it means to be civically engaged, discuss the importance of local elections, such as those happening across the country this year, and talk about the ties between voting and issues of systemic racism and social injustice.
RISE CEO Diahann Billings-Burford leads this conversation on inclusive leadership with NASCAR President Steve Phelps and NFL Executive Vice President, Football Operations, Troy Vincent. Both Phelps and Vincent are members of RISE’s Board of Directors. This conversation was part of FRED, an invitation-only forum and high-level gathering of CEO and industry leaders to discuss the future of ethical and inclusive leadership. Billings-Burford, Phelps and Vincent discuss whether there are reasonable limits to inclusivity, NASCAR’s decision to ban the Confederate flag, the NFL playing Lift Every Voice and Sing before games and share their advice to leaders aiming to build more inclusive organizations.
Gustavo Silva, Chicago Bears Manager of Youth Football & Community Programs, joins us to help celebrate Latinx Heritage Month. We discuss the importance of recognizing and celebrating diverse cultures for the sake of inclusion, equity and representation, and reflect on how such heritage months afford us the opportunity to examine the systems and structures of our society for the sake of understanding what’s required to address racism. Gustavo also shares his personal connection to Latinx Heritage Month and discusses some of the Bears key community initiatives, including the Coaches Leadership Series that the Bears and RISE ran earlier this year equipping Illinois high school and youth coaches with the skills and knowledge to effectively discuss and address matters of racism and injustice with their teams, schools and communities. (Learn more about the coaches leadership series here: https://risetowin.org/stories/2021/7-15/rise-chicago-bears-empower-high-school-coaches-to-address-racism/index.html)
We celebrate our 100th episode of Champions of Change: The RISE Podcast with Morgan Tuck, the Connecticut Sun Director of Franchise Development, a 4-time NCAA champion with UConn and a 2020 WNBA champion with the Seattle Storm. Morgan discusses her transition from player to front office and her work leading the Sun’s social justice initiatives. We also discuss the topic of bias, particularly when it comes to Black women athletes speaking out for issues of inequity, and what she learned about being an advocate from playing in the historic bubble season of 2020 when players across the WNBA united and elevated their platforms to address racial and social injustice like never before.
Anthony Pardo is Director of Partnership Activation for Major League Baseball and a leader of a Latinx Business Resource Group within MLB. Anthony just completed the Pro Sports Assembly + RISE Inclusive Leadership Course, which empowered sports industry professionals across the country to be leaders in discussing and addressing matters of racism, diversity, equity and inclusion through a 12-week course based in RISE’s curriculum. Anthony speaks with RISE's Ian Cutler about inclusive leadership, how racism impacts his life, and the role and responsibility of sports organizations and professionals to lead on matters of diversity, equity inclusion and social justice. We also dive deeper into the concept of inclusive leadership, with RISE's Sr. Director of Curriculum Dr. Collin Williams Jr.
RISE’s Sumer 2021 intern class takes over this episode. They reflect on their time with RISE and discuss how they will apply their learnings and experiences from this summer to create more inclusive cultures in their respective campuses and communities.
Featuring RISE Summer 2021 interns: Diego Andrade-Cabrera, Morgan Chall, Alexis Cheatum, Marcus Davis, A’kiem Gardner, Bradley Polkowitz and Drew Schiffer.
Episode Breakdown: Learning about identity, breaking down biases and connecting with diverse colleagues(3:45); Key diversity concepts and applying learnings to create change(17:03); Collegiate athlete activism (27:18); Defining leadership (39:05); Biggest takeaways (41:30).
A conversation on identity and activism with Schuyler Bailar, former Harvard men's swimmer and the first trans athlete to compete for an NCAA Division I men’s team. Schuyler became the only trans athlete to compete on a Division I men’s team for all four years, graduating in 2019. He has since become a leading advocate for trans rights, mental health and inclusion in sports, and is a motivational speaker, author and so much more. RISE's Ian Cutler and Jared Shanker speak with Schuyler about fighting against anti-trans legislation in states across the country and the ways he uses his platform to educate on the trans experience and the importance of inclusivity. That includes his appearance in RISE's Champions of Change virtual experience, which highlights Schuyler's story and was featured during the USA Swimming Olympic Trials leading up to Tokyo 2020. We also speak with Schuyler about identity and its multifaceted nature, covering his personal experience through his transition and as a Korean American. We later dive deeper into the subject of identity with RISE’s Dr. Collin Williams Jr. in a new segment, “Let’s Talk About,” where we feature RISE’s definitions of key diversity concepts.
Episode Breakdown: Background and Transitioning (2:00)Importance of a strong support system for LGBTQ Youth (5:26)Finding your true self – gains and losses (7:23)Trans men competing with cis men (9:42) Being the first (10:36)NCAA policy on trans athletes (12:15)How to build an inclusive culture and support trans athletes (17:56)Burden of being the first and inspiring others (20:14)“Let’s Talk About: Identity” with RISE’s Dr. Collin Williams Jr. (22:42)Identity and intersectionality – being trans and Korean American (24:08)Fighting anti-trans bills – learn more at pinkmantaray.com/transathlete (29:32) Athlete Activism and how he effectively uses his platform (34:50)Advice for young people struggling with identity (38:00)
The Denver Broncos accomplished something this year that no other organization in sports was able to achieve. They were nominated for the ESPN Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year Award in consecutive seasons. Allie Engelken, the team’s Executive Director of Community Development, leads those efforts and joins us to discuss the impact the Broncos have had on the Denver community over the past year, from COVID relief to social justice work with RISE. Dr. China Jude is the Broncos first Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. She is one of only seven individuals working for an NFL team who is formally assigned to focus exclusively on DEI work. China discusses some of the challenges that the sports industry faces when it comes to issues of equity and diversity, and shares what it takes to build a more inclusive team and sport culture.
With the Tokyo Olympics beginning next week, Max Siegel and Renee Washington, the CEO and COO of USA Tack & Field, join RISE’s Ian Cutler and Jared Shanker. They discuss the impact of COVID on the upcoming Olympic Games, the state of athlete activism at the Olympics and the recent decision to leave sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson off the U.S. Olympic roster. Max and Renee also discuss their role on RISE’s Board of Directors and Max shares his view on the progress made by NASCAR from a diversity, equity and inclusion perspective as the owner of Rev Racing and executive manager of NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity program.
The American Ultimate Disc League, or AUDL, is the largest professional Ultimate league in North America. Like many organizations, the AUDL has deepened its social justice and DEI efforts over the last year, but for the league and the game of Ultimate, those efforts are critical to growing the sport and changing what players acknowledge is a culture that needs to be more diverse & inclusive. Part of that work includes a partnership with RISE and the new AUDL RISE & Lead Series, a 6-week virtual series where players, coaches, staff and owners are leading diversity, equity and inclusion workshops and discussions from RISE’s curriculum with their peers across the country. Matt Smith, the AUDL Director of Player Relations and Youth Engagement, and Dr. Christina Chung, the AUDL Chief Medical Officer and Co-owner of the league’s Philadelphia Phoenix franchise, co-chair the AUDL Inclusion Initiative, and join us to discuss the challenges facing the game of Ultimate and the league’s efforts to grow and become a more inclusive sport.
Ten months ago, amidst the national reckoning on race that revealed visual and violent instances of racial inequity and injustice in our country, SB Nation and The Athletic reported stories on Real Salt Lake owner Dell Loy Hansen that exposed a history of racism and what was described as a toxic work culture within the organization. Those revelations forced Hansen to put the team up for sale. Since Hansen has been away from the club, Real Salt Lake has genuinely embraced the need to address racism, diversity, equity and inclusion up and down the organization, be leaders in their community and advocate for those causes. They’ve worked closely with us at RISE and our Chief Program Officer Dr. Andrew Mac Intosh to hold multi-week leadership programs and trainings, from players and staff in their youth academy all the way up to senior staff and executives with their MLS club, and this week RISE will be onsite as Real Salt Lake is partnering with the Vancouver Whitecaps to celebrate Juneteenth when the two clubs resume their MLS season this Friday, June 18, at Rio Tinto Stadium outside Salt Lake City. Anthony Beltran, the team’s Assistant General Manager, and Arnold Rijsenberg, RSL Academy’s Director of Coaching, have been instrumental in bringing these DEI trainings to the organization in hopes of fostering a more inclusive culture from top to bottom. Tony and Arnold join us to discuss the progress made, the work that still needs to be done and the importance of this week’s Juneteenth celebration in light of all they have been through as individuals and as an organization.
Akil Baddoo is the rookie outfielder for the Detroit Tigers who has hit the major leagues by storm both on and off the field. After not playing for two years due to injury and the pandemic, the 22-year-old homered off the first pitch he saw as a big-league player, hit a grand slam in his second game and a walk-off single in his third. But what’s more special about Akil is how he converted his early success into a fundraising campaign for social justice. Akil created an NFT series around his MLB debut with proceeds going to RISE and Detroit RBI. We speak with Akil about his journey to the big leagues, overcoming personal and professional adversity and what from his own life inspires him to be an advocate for racial equity and social justice.
Pittsburgh Steelers Director of Community Relations Blayre Holmes Davis and Youth Football and Player Relations Manager Mike Marchinsky discuss the ways the Steelers and their players are addressing social justice issues in their community. They also talk about the RISE Coaches Leadership Series that the Steelers hosted for top high school football coaches in the Pittsburgh area this spring, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to effectively discuss and address matters of racism and injustice with their teams, school and communities.
Ryan S. Clark, National NHL and Seattle Kraken reporter for The Athletic joins RISE's Ian Cutler and Jared Shanker to share insight and reporting on the NHL’s approach to addressing social justice and making the game of hockey more inclusive. Plus, we talk about diversity and inclusion and the importance of representation in sports media, and the responsibility journalists have in asking athletes questions around social justice issues. We also talk about the experiences of BIPOC players and journalists in hockey and Ryan's experience covering the Kraken, which will take the ice for the first time next season.
UCLA Women's Basketball players Michaela Onyenwere, Lauryn Miller, Camryn Brown and Charisma Osborne discuss More than a D.R.E.A.M., the social justice initiative they created this season in response to the events of 2020. As we celebrate National Student-Athlete Day, RISE's Ian Cutler and RISE Group 1001 Fellow Michelle Picard speak with these four young leaders about the inequities they face as young Black women and student-athletes, and what is required to address them. Plus, they share what they learned interviewing famous UCLA alums like Gabrielle Union, Cari Champion and Baron Davis as part of their social justice efforts, share their experiences from the NCAA Tournament amidst the pandemic and discuss the controversy around disparities between the men’s and women’s games that were exposed there last month.
RISE's Ian Cutler moderates a conversation on Culture, Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Toronto Sports and Business Association’s 10th Annual Sports Industry Conference with Kim Davis, Senior Executive Vice President of Social Impact Growth Initiatives & Legislative Affairs for the NHL; Jason Sinnarajah, Senior Vice President of Business Administration for the Buffalo Bills; and Sam Toles, a media & technology executive who most recently served as Chief Content Officer at Bleacher Report. Learn more about the University of Toronto Sports and Business Association and find other panels and speakers from their annual conference at www.uoftsportsbusiness.com
Fresh off their historic "bubble" season in Lake Placid, New York, NWHL stars Tera Hofmann, Rebecca Morse, and Saroya Tinker of the Metropolitan Riveters and Briana Mastel of the Boston Pride, discuss gender equity in sports and their efforts to raise awareness around racial injustice. Joining RISE’s Peyton Finley and Michelle Picard, a RISE Group1001 Fellow and the NWHL Deputy Commissioner, the players share why they used their platform this season to fight racism and talk about the importance of taking risks and engaging in difficult conversations with teammates, family, friends and fans in order to create change. They share what they’ve learned about finding their voice as socially active athletes and how they overcome negative feedback to their activism to continue advancing equity and inclusion. (photo credit: Michelle Jay)
Trevor Baptiste is a professional lacrosse player for the Premier Lacrosse League’s Atlas LC, National Lacrosse League’s Philadelphia Wings and a U.S. men's national team gold medalist. Trevor joins RISE's Ian Cutler and Jared Shanker to talk about the newly formed Black Lacrosse Alliance, an organization of players who are determined to make the game more inclusive at the professional, collegiate, high school and youth levels. We speak with Trevor about his own experiences as a Black athlete in a majorty white sport, the encounter with police that motivated him to speak out for racial justice and steps the BLA, PLL and NLL are taking and should be taking to grow the game of lacrosse and make it more inclusive.
Part II of the Sixth Annual RISE Super Bowl Critical Conversation features a conversation with three Walter Payton Man of the Year nominees in Trey Flowers (Detroit Lions), Justin Simmons (Denver Broncos) and Andrew Whitworth (Los Angeles Rams). Tracy Wolfson (CBS Sports) moderates and is also joined by RISE CEO Diahann Billings-Burford.
Patrick Mahomes and Tyrann Mathieu of the Kansas City Cheifs join Tracy Wolfson of CBS Sports and Diahann Billings-Burford, RISE CEO, for Part I of RISE's Sixth Annual Super Bowl Critical Conversation.
At the start of the NFL season in September, Miami Dolphins players shared a powerful video in which they called for the league and team owners to go beyond the optics and statements of support for social justice, and follow the players lead in committing more resources to create real tangible change in our country. Dolphins running back Patrick Laird was one player featured in that video and played a key role in the Dolphins Social Impact Committee, which the team formed this season to effect change in areas of civic engagement, economic empowerment, education and community impact. We speak with Patrick about how the team found its voice and determined their key areas of focus, the specific initiatives they spearheaded and the experiences he’s had that inspire him, as a white athlete, to join the fight for racial equity and social justice.
When Jennifer King was named an assistant running backs coach for the Washington Football Team last month she became the first full-time Black female position coach in NFL history. Sam Rapoport, NFL Senior Director for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, has spearheaded a number of historic initiatives to create more opportunities for women in football, including one a few years back where King first met Ron Rivera, Head Coach of the Washington Football Team. King and Rapoport join this special Super Bowl episode to celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day, and speak with RISE’s Erin Pellegrino, a former Special Teams coach at the University at Albany, about their football journeys, obstacles they’ve overcome, the importance of representation and how to create more opportunities for women in sports.
Paul Tagliabue talks about his tenure as NFL Commissioner and his role as co-chair of RISE. He shares his perspective on issues of race and diversity, and how sports are used to drive social change. Plus, how the NFL can build on the Rooney Rule, what it takes to be an inclusive leader and reflecting on his Super Bowl experiences.
Kirk Walker is an Assistant Softball Coach at UCLA and co-founder of the Sports Equality Foundation, a newly launched TikTok initiative that provides a space for LGBTQ student-athletes and coaches to be their authentic selves and advance inclusion and acceptance within the larger sports community. Kirk was considered the first openly gay NCAA Division I male coach when he came out publicly in 2007 while head coach of Oregon State’s Softball team, and recently was named the Outsports 2020 Male Hero of the Year for his role as a leader for LGBTQ coaches and student-athletes in college sports. We speak with Kirk about his personal journey, the issues facing LGBTQ athletes and coaches, the importance of intersectionality and addressing issues of race and equity in the larger discussion about inclusion and how coaches, athletes and administrators can create more inclusive cultures within their teams and athletics communities.
Torrey Smith and Joanne Pasternack discuss their involvement with a new initaitve, Atheltes' Voices, a program dedicated to providing tools, guidance, and mentorship for athletes to grow their social impact. Smith and Pasternack also share what it was like inside the San Francsico 49ers organization in 2016 when Collin Kaepernick first took a knee to protest racial injustice and discuss the growing influence athletes have to effect social change. We also discuss the events at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 and how it will impact the way athletes continue to advocate for social justice.
Reagan Coleman left her high school cheerleading team in Daphne, Alabama, after several of her teammates posted a photo to social media while holding a shirt that read, “I love Redneck boys” and had an image of the Confederate Flag. Reagan and retired Rear Admiral Margaret Kibben, the US Navy’s 26th Chief Chaplain, join RISE's Dr. Andrew Mac Intosh to discuss the aftermath after participating in a RISE critical conversation to address the incident in the community.
Phaidra Knight is one of only two American women inducted in the World Rugby Hall of Fame and was USA Rugby's Player of the Decade, but now in her post-playing career, she will begin her term as president of the Women’s Sports Foundation in January 2021. She discusses her athletic career as a multi-sport star, upcoming role at the WSF and how our country can better support women athletes, experiences with an intersectional identity and serving as a role model for the LGTBQ+ community as a proudly gay woman.
Kalley Armstrong, a former captain for Harvard's women's hockey team, shares how her grandfather, Hockey Hall of Famer George Armstrong, who led the Toronto Maple Leafs to four Stanley Cups and was one of the first Indigenous players to play in the NHL, inspired her to reconnect with her roots and launch a hockey development and mentorship program for First Nations youth in Ontario, Canada. Co-hosting this episode with Ian Cutler is Michelle Picard, RISE's Group 1001 Fellow. Michelle is a former teammate of Kalley’s at Harvard and won a Silver Medal for Team USA at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. Michelle is also the NWHL Deputy Commissioner and is a former player in the league.
Scott Pioli discusses the state of diversity and inclusion in the NFL, why he's personally given back to HBCU’s, the impact athletes and sports had leading up to the 2020 U.S. Election, and how athletes can continue growing their influence on issues beyond their sport.
Jen Bryant and Frank Morrison collaborated for a new book titled “Above the Rim” that looks at the life and career of Elgin Baylor, an NBA Hall of Famer as a player and former NBA Executive of the Year.
The book focuses on a relatively lesser-known moment of athlete activism in the late 1950s. Baylor, then a player on the Minneapolis Lakers, took a stand by taking a seat and refusing to play after he was denied a room at a West Virginia hotel. It resulted in the NBA changing its rule, and it was among the earliest instances of activism in the NBA.
RISE recently led sessions with both the Jacksonville Jaguars and Michigan State football team as part of its nonpartisan voter education and registration initiative, RISE to Vote. In the first of two interviews in this episode, Jaguars WR Chris Conley sheds light on his family's connection to the civil rights movement and how discussions about voting is changing in NFL locker rooms. Then, the Spartans' head coach Mel Tucker discusses his response to the national reckoning on race as one of only a few Black FBS coaches, and he talks about why he's dedicated to educating his players about civic engagement and leaving an off-field legacy.
Alonzo Carter is an assistant football coach at San Jose State University and one of the most influential voices in college sports today. RISE’s Jared Shanker speaks with Carter about two initiatives that are helping re-examine and redefine the sports and coaching landscape – first, the West Coast Zoom Clinic, where Carter has hosted in excess of 7,000 coaches, many of color, to talk about several topics affecting them, including issues of race. And second, we discuss his role in the new National Coalition of Minority Football Coaches with Maryland’s Mike Locksley and some titans of the game like Ozzie Newsome, Doug Williams, Mike Tomlin, Debbie Yow and Nick Saban to promote more opportunities for coaches of color. We also discuss the suspension of San Jose State’s football season because of the COVID-19 pandemic and much more.
BIG EAST Conference Commissioner Val Ackerman joins RISE's Ian Cutler and Jared Shanker to discuss the conference's new partnership with RISE and empowering student-athletes to be social justice advocates. Plus, we talk about the state of college sports amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and her tenure as the first WNBA President and how the league and its players have become leading voices for social change.
With the WNBA season set to begin July 25, two-time WNBA Champion Renee Montgomery will not be with her team, the Atlanta Dream. She has instead decided to forgo the season to focus on various social justice initiatives and the fight against racism. RISE's Ian Cutler and Jared Shanker speak with Renee over Zoom about her decision to skip the season and the specific social justice goals she’s set for herself this year. Plus, we speak with Renee about the open letter she wrote to team co-owner and U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler of Georgia and the fallout from it, after Sen. Loeffler criticized the Black Lives Matter movement and the WNBA's support of it. Finally, we talk about Renee’s recent participation in a RISE Digital Learning Series critical conversation on Empathy, Sport and Law Enforcement, where she engaged police officers from around the country on what can be done to bridge the gap between law enforcement and communities of color.
Sam Sessoms is a junior guard for Penn State University’s Men’s Basketball team who organized a Black Lives Matter protest in his hometown of Philadelphia with fellow student-athletes from rival schools following the murder of George Floyd. We talk to Sam about building this coalition of student-athletes, his experience as a Black student-athlete at predominantly white institutions and next steps, including police reform and how he hopes college athletes, coaches and administrators will address issues of racism and inclusion going forward.
Jim Rooney of the Pittsburgh Steelers and N. Jeremi Duru, a professor of sports law at American University and Counsel to the Fritz Pollard Alliance, discuss the NFL’s Rooney Rule, which is designed to create more coaching and executive leadership opportunities for minorities. We discuss the rule's evolution and effectiveness addressing larger issues of bias and systemic racism, and explore what more can be done to increase inclusive leadership across the league and beyond. Plus, with the nation focused on addressing racism following the murder of George Floyd, we assess how leagues and teams have responded to calls for more action and engagement in tackling these critical issues.
Minnesota native John Thomas, a former NBA player and current VP of Basketball Development for the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx, and Kim Miller, RISE’s VP of Programs and a resident of South Minneapolis, join us for a conversation about the murder of George Floyd, the ensuing nationwide protests around police brutality and systemic racism, and the impact of athletes and the sports community in creating change. We discuss the current situation in Minneapolis and a town hall conversation led by RISE within the Timberwolves and Lynx organization about what they can do to address racism and foster real change in their community.
Milwaukee Bucks Guard George Hill and Kristen Ingram, CEO of PLUS ONE Society, talk about their work with the NBA confronting social justice issues. They share the impact of programs like the Play for Justice initiative, which humanizes the stories of people in incarcerated communities and draws attention to the need to address issues of racism and criminal justice reform.
Charles Grantham served as the first Executive Director of the National Basketball Players Association and currently heads the Center for Sports Management at Seton Hall University. He talks about the history of labor negotiations in the NBA and what lessons can be learned from collective bargaining when trying to lead a movement and create structural and systemic change. Co-hosting with Ian Cutler is RISE's Sr. Director of Curriculum, Dr. Collin Williams Jr. the co-author of The Miseducation of the Student-Athlete: How to Fix College Sports. Collin helps facilitate a conversation with Professor Grantham about the state of college athletics and the rights of student-athletes.
Seth Waugh, CEO of the PGA of America and a member of RISE's Board of Directors, talks about how the golf world has been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, and how he envisions a return to play once conditions are safe. Plus, growing the game and how the PGA is striving to make golf a more diverse and inclusive sport. What does it takes to be an inclusive leader, especially during a time of crisis? Finally, we speak about the latest topic of our RISE Digital Learning Series, "Privilege." How does understanding your own privilege help you address social inequities and create opportunities for those who don't share that same privilege? How is Golf, as a sport, overcoming its history of being an exclusive game, and using the sport to drive diversity and inclusion?
As a reminder, if you’re interested in learning more about our digital learning series, and this week’s topic of Privilege, be sure to check out www.risetowin.org/digitallearning.
Denver Nuggets forward Paul Millsap, a 4x NBA All-Star, discusses his role as the first ever PGA WORKS Ambassador and his partnership with PGA of America to advance diversity and inclusion in golf. Also, how the coronavirus pandemic is impacting him and the NBA, memories of Kobe Bryant, his personal experiences with racism and finding his voice as a professional athlete. Plus, the power of athlete activism and RISE’s latest topic from its digital learning series, Sports as a Vehicle for Change.
Katrina Adams shares her experience after testing positive for COVID-19, and talks about the impact the global pandemic is having on the tennis world. Adams was the youngest, the first African-American and the first former professional player to serve as President of the United States Tennis Association. She's currently Vice President of the International Tennis Federation. We discuss her groundbreaking career, experiences with racism, the legacy of tennis players like Althea Gibson and Arthur Ashe driving social change and her efforts to make the game more inclusive and promote racial and gender equity.
RISE VP of Curriculum Dr. Andrew Mac Intosh discusses issues of racism that have arose out of the COVID-19 pandemic, and how sports serve as an effective tool for understanding important concepts such as perspective taking and stereotyping that are critical in the midst of this crisis. Plus, RISE Manager of Events & Marketing Peyton Finley shares her story from working at the Pac-12 Men's Basketball Championships in Las Vegas as the sports world suddenly shut down.
How is diversity and inclusion defined? How can students, athletes and university athletics departments lead their campus community in advancing those values? That was the subject of this critical conversation moderated by RISE CEO Diahann Billings-Burford at Stony Brook University on Feb. 12, as part of the America East Conference #SpreadRespect initiative. This edited live recording features: Maya Brown, a Stony Brook student and assistant editor at the university’s student-run newspaper, The Statesman; Kimberly Joy Dixon, Stony Brook’s Director of Employer Engagement and Diversity Recruitment; Cameron Avery, a Stony Brook international cross-country student-athlete; TJ Morrison, a Stony Brook football student-athlete and member of the Black Student-Athlete Huddle, and Diamond Weaver, a Stony Brook Assistant Football Coach.
Sharing more from our coverage at Super Bowl LIV in Miami, we speak with New York Jets running back Ty Montgomery (1:43), Minnesota Vikings defensive back Trae Waynes (14:22) and Cincinnati Bengals defensive back Jessie Bates III (24:09). They each share stories about the complexities of their identities, the way they use their platforms to create change and their experience addressing issues of race on the field, in the locker room and beyond the game. Ty talks about his work supporting foster children and shares how Aaron Rogers played an important role in how the Green Bay Packers responded to the movement of on-field player protests for social injustice and the criticism that athletes faced for those actions. Trae talks about his passions for Animal Rights and Civic Engagement, and shares a personal experience with racial profiling. Jessie talks about his biracial identity and how he uses his platform to empower youth and support single moms.
A conversation on race, athlete activism, diversity and inclusion from Super Bowl LIV in Miami with NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations, Troy Vincent, Pro Football Hall of Famers Cris Carter and Aeneas Williams, and former NFL player and Executive Director of The White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council, Scott Turner. The four NFL legends and community leaders share personal stories on the power of sports, their experience with racism and how everyone can play a role in advancing equality, broadening perspectives and bringing people together.
From radio row at Super Bowl LIV in Miami, New York Jets linebacker Brandon Copeland talks about winning the 2020 Alan Page Community Award from the NFL Players Association for his work uplifting underprivileged youth, and talks about the progress made by NFL players in the fight for social justice. He also shares how he's been inspired by athletes like Kobe Bryant, Anquan Bolden and Haloti Ngata.
From Radio Row at Super Bowl LIV in Miami, former NFL Running Back and Dancing with the Stars Champion Rashad Jennings, and Celebrity Chef Aliya LeeKong discuss advancing diversity & inclusion in their respective fields. Plus, their partnership through RealEats to promote health & wellness,
From radio row at Super Bowl LIV in Miami, former NFL wide receiver Bethel Johnson talks about how Muhammad Ali inspires his community activism and how racism prevented him from becoming a baseball star, turning his focus to football instead. Plus, winning two Super Bowls with the New England Patriots at the start of their dynasty.
From Radio Row at Super Bowl LIV in Miami, we speak with Jason Jenkins, Miami Dolphins Senior Vice President of Communications and Community Affairs. Jason talks about the role he and his staff play in preparing for the Super Bowl as the game's host city and team, and discusses the Dolphins' approach to engaging the community, improving relations among law enforcement and youth and addressing issues of racism and social justice.
On a special episode to honor Martin Luther King Day, we speak with his daugther, Dr. Bernice King, CEO of the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change in Atlanta. Dr. King reflects on her father’s life and discusses the state of civil rights in our country today. We also talk about the role of sports and athletes in raising awareness around issues of inequality and racism. As RISE prepares to use Super Bowl LIV in Miami to advance the conversation around inclusion and social justice, we look back with Dr. King on the events that RISE and The King Center partnered on last year, during Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta, to educate and empower sports leaders to take action in addressing racism and injustice. Finally, Dr. King shares personal memories of her parents, talks about how The King Center is continuing their legacy and delivers her message for the country on Martin Luther King Day 2020.
Kyle Harrison is a veteran, accomplished lacrosse player and one of the few black professional players in the sport. He is a player and league executive in the Premier Lacrosse League, where he serves as head of player relations and diversity and inclusion, as well as plays midfielder for the Redwoods Lacrosse Club. Kyle was a seven-time Major League Lacrosse All-Star and a three-time All-American in college, where he won the Tewaaraton Award as the country's most outstanding player during his senior year at Johns Hopkins University in 2005 while leading the Blue Jays to an undefeated national championship season. Kyle has committed to using his platform to advance diversity within the sport and joins us to share his experience as a person of color in a majority white game and his efforts to grow lacrosse and make it more inclusive. We also talk about what’s in store at the annual national lacrosse convention, LaxCon 2020, hosted by US Lacrosse and PLL in Philadelphia January 10-12.
Former NFL linebacker Rennie Curran opens up about overcoming racism and adversity he's faced on and off the field that motivates him today as a personal development coach. He also talks about working with us at RISE to facilitate workshops with NFL rookies that teach players about identity, leadership, inclusion and the power they have as athletes to be advocates for racial equity and social justice. Finally, Rennie discusses his work as an author, a motivational speaker and CEO of Game Changer Coaching, and shares stories from his days in the NFL, CFL and University of Georgia where he won the Sugar Bowl and faced Heisman Trophy winners Tim Tebow and Mark Ingram.
Skyler Nash, a redshirt sophomore on the University of Vermont men’s basketball team, faced racism and life-threatening challenges growing up on the South Side of Chicago. But those experiences helped him realize the power of his platform and that he could be more than an athlete. We speak with Skyler about finding his voice and how he's become a community leader for equity and inclusion. He shares how he and his teammates handled negative reactions to athlete protests of social injustice and why he created the first affinity group for student-athletes of color on his campus. We also talk about how the athletics community can inspire more inclusivity on college campuses and why he's so passionate about getting his peers to vote and be civically engaged.
To celebrate Veterans Day, we welcome General George Casey, a retired four-star general who served as the 36th U.S. Army Chief of Staff under Presidents Bush and Obama from 2007-2011. General Casey, who sits on RISE's board of directors, spent 41 years in the U.S. Army. In our conversation, he shares stories from his time in service, ways to support veterans and his philosophies on teamwork, diversity and leadership - including what he learned as a 21-year-old working for Vince Lombardi during the 1969 NFL season. Co-hosting with Ian Cutler this episode is RISE's Erin Casey Pellegrino, whose brother Patrick Casey served under General Casey in Afghanistan in 2009.
Former WNBA guard Edniesha Curry is the only female coach in Division I Men’s Basketball. When she was hired by the University of Maine men’s basketball team as an assistant coach last season, she became just the fourth woman to ever serve in that role and the first to do so since 2002. In this episode, Coach Curry shares her unique perspective on advancing inclusion throughout athletics, after participating in the America East Conference Spread Respect Forum, Oct. 20. She speaks about being a role model for women, how to address the challenges that student-athletes of color face at predominantly white institutions, what her experience playing and coaching overseas taught her about being a diversity and inclusion advocate and what needs to be done to create more opportunities for women to coach in the men’s game both in the NBA and at the college level.
Walter Powell says he retired from the NFL because he felt his purpose was to help create change. After playing four years in the league, he left the game to create a political startup company, Politiscope – an app that objectively breaks down politics, provides unbiased profiles on elected officials and empowers people to be more civically engaged by helping them register to vote. We speak with Walter about his unique journey to the NFL, how the recent wave of athlete activism and player protests helped inspire him to act and why he’s motivated to use his platform as an athlete to empower others and effect change.
Dr. Katrice Albert, the NCAA Executive Vice President of Inclusion and Human Resources, discusses how the NCAA is advancing diversity and inclusion within college athletics and addressing some of the challenges in that space. She speaks about the power of empathy, sharing a personal experience with racism from her childhood, and talks about how the NCAA and RISE work together to empower student-athletes, coaches, administrators and athletic staff to combat discrimination, lead difficult conversations and foster more inclusive campus environments.
Bill Rhoden, the award-winning columnist for ESPN's The Undefeated, discusses the history and current state of athlete activism, and key stories he's following heading into the NFL season. He also talks about the importance of diversity in sports media and his storied career -- how he discovered his passion for journalism, his 35 years at the New York Times and the all-time athletes he’s had the opportunity to cover, including Willie Mays and Muhammad Ali.
Cappie Pondexter retired from the WNBA just before the start of the 2019 season as one of the league’s greatest players of all time. A two-time league champion, 7-time all-star and Olympic gold medalist, Cappie's influence on the court is well-documented, but her bold voice and fashion statements have impacted so many players off the court, as well. Cappie was a featured panelist at an event hosted by RISE and The Shadow League in New York City entitled, The Vocal Black Athlete, where she discussed topics like identity and the evolution of athlete activism. In this episode, Cappie dives deeper into these subjects, talks about how she found her voice to advance her own advocacy work playing under legendary coach C. Vivian Stringer at Rutgers University and shares how she broke the mold of what it means to be a successful female athlete. She also discusses her career, saying there's no better duo in league history than she and Diana Taurasi from the Phoenix Mercury and shares fun insights from the 2008 Olympics, like winning a gold medal, bonding with Dwight Howard and eating private meals prepared by LeBron James' personal chef.
Stacey Ullrich talks about Under Armour winning a 2019 ESPN Humanitarian Award thanks to the company’s collaboration with RISE and the NBA on Building Bridges Through Basketball – a 10-week community leadership program that uses basketball to unite local youth and law enforcement in cities across the country. The program teaches topics like identity, diversity, perspective taking and conflict resolution. Stacey also talks about some of the incredible work Under Armour is doing to better communities in places like Baltimore, how companies and brands consider an athlete’s social activism when deciding to invest and work with them and her favorite stories of athletes who she has personally seen impact the lives of young people, from Steph Curry to Misty Copeland.
Elise Ray-Statz is a national champion and Olympic medal-winning gymnast who’s now head coach of the gymnastics team at the University of Washington, where she’s led the Huskies to top-20 finishes in back-to-back seasons. Elise was part of RISE’s Northwest regional coaches training at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma last month, where coaches from schools throughout the region learned about ways to foster inclusive environments within their team, campus and community by exploring topics such as identity, perspective, and power and ways to engage their students in difficult conversations around race and diversity. Elise joins us to talk about that and her experience competing in the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia, where she and Team USA earned a bronze medal in one of the more controversial Olympic games.
To celebrate Pride Month, we re-share our conversation with professional Javelin thrower and LGBTQ+ advocate Nika Oullette. Nika is an ambassador for Athlete Ally, an organization that aims to activate the athletic community to exercise their leadership to champion LGBTQ+ equality. Our conversation with Nika stems from an event last July when RISE teamed up with Athlete Ally to engage USC and UCLA student-athletes in Los Angeles, empowering them to advocate for racial and LGBTQ equality and explore ways to unite and mobilize the sports community across various social justice movements. In this interview, Nika speaks about her experience being one of four openly gay sisters in her family, the intersectionality of social justice movements across race, gender and sexuality – among other aspects of diversity – and the role the athletic community should play in addressing larger issues of inequality.
Molly Engstrom is a 2-time Olympic Medalist and 4-time World Champion for USA Hockey, who was named the world’s best defenseman from the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver. She’s played professionally in North America and in Sweden, and recently participated in a session at the USA Hockey Annual Congress in Colorado Springs on diversity & inclusion led by RISE and White Men as Full Diversity Partners, where players, coaches and administrators discussed addressing racism and diversifying the sport. Molly shares insights from that conversation, talks about her professional career and Olympic experience, and discusses the state and future of women’s professional hockey with the best players in the U.S. and Canada actively calling for better pay, better conditions and a stronger professional league in North America.
Keith Gill was named commissioner of the Sun Belt Conference in March 2019, becoming the first African-American commissioner of a NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) conference – the highest level of Division I college football. Just two months into his tenure, the Sun Belt hosted its first ever conference-wide Diversity & Inclusion Summit, in which RISE played an integral role. Gill discusses his vision for the Sun Belt Conference and collegiate athletics from a diversity & inclusion perspective and the conference's recent summit, the significance and responsibility of becoming the first African-American commissioner of a NCAA FBS conference and the need for more diversity in leadership positions in sports and society.
Corey Mays is a former NFL linebacker and an alum of the University of Notre Dame. Despite being undrafted in 2006 out of college, he played 5 seasons in the NFL before retiring in 2011 to become an entrepreneur and angel investor. He also serves as president of the Chicago chapter of the NFL Alumni Association. Corey joins us to talk about his difficult path to success in the NFL, his transition to business after football and his recent work to inspire others to use their platform to effect change, in sport, in business, in the community and by exercising their right to vote.
Isaiah Stanback is a former NFL player who starred at the University of Washington, was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys and went on to win a Super Bowl with the New York Giants in 2011. Since retiring from the NFL, Isaiah co-founded Steadfast Fitness & Performance, a personal training facility in Texas. He's also finding ways to help educate youth and student-athletes on leadership, inclusion and the importance of voting and civic engagement. We spoke with Isaiah about his NFL experience and the NFL Draft, his upcoming plans to address student-athletes at his alma mater about engaging in our democracy, and how he’s discovered the power of his platform to effect change.
Adia Barnes, Arizona's women's basketball coach, led the Wildcats to the Women’s NIT Championship this spring, following a season in which the team won only six games. Adia, who also played at Arizona and is the program's all-time leading scorer, talks about being one of the few female coaches of color in the sport, and discusses the importance of diversity in leadership and coaching. She also shares how she’s worked with RISE to empower her student-athletes to lead others in advancing values of inclusion and equality, and tells us about winning a WNBA championship and playing with all-time greats like Sue Bird and Lauren Jackson.
Dr. David Wall Rice, associate professor in the Department of Psychology at Morehouse College and Director of the Institute for Social Justice Inquiry and Praxis at the Andrew Young Center for Global Leadership, discusses the second annual Leadership & Sports Advocacy Workshop at Morehouse College, March 27-29, which empowered professional athletes who are invested in social impact causes with the skills and tools to use their power and platform to be effective advocates for change. The workshop is the product of a partnership of RISE, the NFL and Morehouse College, and featured athletes from football, basketball, wrestling, track & field and bobsled.
Former all-pro defensive tackle Tommie Harris talks about empowering student-athletes and how we as a society can advance unity, diversity and equality by learning from lessons in sports. He also shares the best advice he ever received from an NFL coach. Tommie will be a featured panelist along with former NFL RB Larry Johnson and NFLPA Staff Counsel Joe Briggs in an upcoming campus conversation April 2nd at Prairie View A&M University that will be moderated by RISE, entitled "The Power of Sport: Creating a Nation Committed to Equality & Social Justice." Jahmeilla Hunter, a graduate student at Prairie View A&M who is researching athlete activism, speaks about the importance of this conversation and why she and her classmates are organizing this event on their campus.
Amy Huchthausen has been commissioner of the America East Conference for eight years. She's the first woman to lead the league and is the only Asian-American woman to be the commissioner of a NCAA Division I athletic conference. Huchthausen joins us to talk about America East’s Spread Respect Initiative, which through athletics furthers awareness and education to ensure equality, respect and safety for all athletes and teaches understanding of identity in regards to race, ethnicity, gender, religion and more. She also discusses how athletic conferences look to empower student-athletes, and the different ways that collegiate athletics can lead diversity and inclusion initiatives on campus and beyond. Huchthausen also talks about the thrill of last year’s America East men’s basketball champion, UMBC, beating No. 1 Virginia as a 16-seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker and Syracuse alum Cam Lynch joins Champions of Change: The RISE Podcast to discuss the Bucs' community work through their social justice initiative, interacting with law enforcement and the military in Tampa and the personal reasons behind his passion for reaching out to those impacted by the criminal justice system. Lynch also shares how he plans to pursue broadcasting after his playing career, and tells us what it was like to broadcast the Super Bowl for an international audience.
TJ Adeshola, the head of Twitter Sports, talks about how athletes use Twitter to advance the causes they are about, how Twitter monitors online hate speech and the exciting new ways that Twitter is enhancing the fan experience for watching live events.
Super Bowl Champion Ryan Mundy, who played with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Chicago Bears and New York Giants, visits Champions of Change: The RISE Podcast at radio row from Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta to reflect on joining RISE’s Super Bowl Civil Rights Tour of Atlanta this week with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank and other NFL players and executives. Mundy describes how visiting sites such as the birth home of Martin Luther King Jr. and Ebenezer Baptist Church helped provide context and perspective to today's drive for racial equity and social justice and united players and executives for a common cause. We also speak with Ryan about playing in and winning a Super Bowl.
Visiting radio row at Super Bowl LIII, NFL running back Orleans Darkwa discusses how he discovered his platform as a professional athlete, how he and his teammates address issues of social justice, his personal experiences with racism and the journey of being a free agent in the NFL.
From radio row at Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta, ESPN and The Undefeated's Senior NFL Writer Jason Reid reflects on moderating RISE's 4th Annual Super Bowl Town Hall, "Champions of Change: Tackling Social Justice Together," and discusses the role the NFL plays in driving social justice. Panelists from the town hall on sports and social and criminal justice reform included Cleveland Browns owner Dee Haslam; Atlanta Falcons safety Ricardo Allen; NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations Troy Vincent; former NFL Commissioner and co-chair of RISE’s board of directors Paul Tagliabue; RISE CEO Diahann Billings-Burford, former NFL player Brian Banks and Dr. Bernice King, daughter of Martin Luther King Jr and CEO of The King Center. The full town hall can be seen on RISE's Facebook page: /RISEtoWINorg, or on The Undefeated's Facebook page: /theUndefeatedsite
Officer Danyell Robinson of the Detroit Police Department has a passion for engaging youth in his community through sports. Enter Building Bridges Through Basketball, a 10-week program uniting local youth and police through basketball training and hands-on learning focused on leadership, conflict resolution, identity and diversity, designed to break barriers and strengthen the community. RISE partnered with the Detroit Pistons to bring the program to Detroit for the second time this past fall. Officer Robinson shares how it helped Pistons players, officers and youth build trust and create better understanding.
Jacques McClendon and Jonathan Franklin of the Los Angeles Rams talk about ‘RISE with the Rams’ – a season-long program that united the football teams from Morningside High School in Inglewood and Oaks Christian in Westlake Village, two California high schools of different racial and socioeconomic backgrounds, that along with LAPD officers and Rams players, broke barriers, built leadership and cultural competency skills and worked to strengthen the LA community. McClendon and Franklin also discuss their respective roles with the team as Director of Player Engagement and Manager of Community Affairs and Player Engagement, and the different ways they’ve seen athletes affect positive change in a community throughout their careers.
Kim Davis, the NHL’s executive vice president of social impact, growth initiatives & legislative affairs, talks about the league’s efforts to diversify its sport and fan base, how it addresses incidents of racism and is engaging in community initiatives. Davis also shares findings from a recent league report on shifting demographics in the United States and how that will affect the future of hockey.
Etan Thomas, who played for nine years in the NBA, shares insights from interviews he conducted with fellow athletes for his latest book, “We Matter: Athletes and Activism.” He also talks about how he discovered the power of his platform to advocate for social justice, shares his own experiences with racism and law enforcement, discusses participating in the DISC Sports Diversity & Inclusion Symposium hosted by RISE in Detroit and describes what it was like to guard Shaquille O’Neil and play alongside Michael Jordan.
Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, a Georgetown University sociology professor and Detroit native, sat with Detroit Free Press columnist Rochelle Riley to discuss the intersection of race, sports and society. The conversation was part of the evening reception at the sixth annual DISC Sports Diversity & Inclusion Symposium, hosted by RISE on Oct. 9 and 10 in Detroit on the 50th anniversary of the Detroit Tigers 1968 World Series Championship. DISC stands for the Diversity and Inclusion Sports Consortium, whose members represent the country’s major sports leagues and organizations. They gather each year to discuss and create tangible solutions that drive greater diversity and inclusion in today’s sports culture. In this episode, Dyson and Riley also discuss the role of the Tigers’ 1968 championship in uniting the city after the Detroit Uprising of 1967, the history of athlete activism and its impact in today’s society.
Paul Tagliabue, the former NFL commissioner who also is co-chair of the RISE Board of Directors, speaks with outgoing RISE CEO Jocelyn Benson at the sixth annual DISC Sports Diversity & Inclusion Symposium. Their conversation was a keynote event of the symposium, which was hosted by RISE on Oct. 9 and 10 in Detroit. DISC stands for the Diversity & Inclusion Sports Consortium, whose members represent the country’s major sports leagues and organizations. They gather each year to discuss and create tangible solutions that drive greater diversity and inclusion in today’s sports culture. In this conversation, Tagliabue discusses his experience advancing diversity and inclusion throughout his personal and professional life and the core values that are required to create that type of culture. He also talks about his time leading the NFL and the impact of athlete activism.
Portland Timbers forward Jeremy Ebobisse says his passion for social justice and education reform stemmed from following the story of Trayvon Martin’s shooting death in 2012, when Ebobisse was just 15 years old. Now, as a professional athlete, Ebobisse has come to realize the power of his platform to advocate for such important causes and affect change. He discusses the core of these issues and his personal experience as an athlete addressing racism, activism and issues of inequality. Ebobisse also talks about the work RISE, the Timbers and Stand Together have done engaging youth and law enforcement in the Portland area to build skills such as perspective taking and strengthen communities.
David Baker, president and CEO of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, talks about how he’s personally experienced the power of sports to unite people of different backgrounds and instill values of inclusion and equality. He also shares some of his favorite stories of telling players they’ve been voted into the hall of fame and discusses the #HuddleUpAmerica Town Hall that the hall of fame hosted with RISE and Jim Brown’s Amer-I-Can organization in September. The event brought youth and law enforcement together in Canton, Ohio, for leadership programming and discussions about increasing awareness, knowledge and skills to empower youth and communities to drive change.
Rashad Jennings, a former NFL running back and “Dancing with the Stars” champion, speaks about the responsibility athletes have to use their platforms to create positive change. Jennings shares some of the stories he told student-athletes at the University of Texas at Austin while speaking to them last month as part of RISE’s nonpartisan RISE to Vote campaign and gives insights from his new book, “The IF in Life,” including his personal experiences facing racism.
Professional javelin thrower Nika Ouellette grew up as one of four openly gay sisters, which she says allowed her to be herself and inspired her to advocate for LGBTQ equality and inclusion. Ouellette also discusses how she fell in love with the javelin throw, trying to qualify for the Olympics and the important role athletes at all levels can play in combating racism and homophobia. Ouellette participated in Athlete Activism and the Fight for Equality, an event hosted by RISE and Athlete Ally on Monday, July 16, at the Galen Center at USC. Professional athletes spoke with student-athletes from USC and UCLA about advocating for racial and LGBTQ equality and mobilizing the athletic community across various social justice movements.
Former NFL safety turned tech investor Ryan Mundy speaks about his first experience with racism, empowering student-athletes to advocate for equality and how he transitioned to life after football. He also shares what it was like playing in two of the greatest rivalries in football: Steelers-Ravens and Michigan-Ohio State. Mundy participated in Athlete Activism and the Fight for Equality, an event hosted by RISE and Athlete Ally on Monday, July 16, at the Galen Center at USC. Professional athletes spoke with student-athletes from USC and UCLA about advocating for racial and LGBTQ equality and mobilizing the athletic community across various social justice movements.
Part I of Athlete Activism and the Fight for Equality, an event by RISE and Athlete Ally featuring a panel moderated by The Undefeated’s Jemele Hill that included: MLS' Minnesota United FC’s Collin Martin – who recently came out as the only active gay male athlete in major American team sports; three-time Pro-bowler and Super Bowl champion Brendon Ayanbadejo; tech investor and Super Bowl champion Ryan Mundy; pro javelin thrower and All-American Nika Ouellette; and ESPN analyst and former NBA player Jay Williams. Hill speaks with Martin about his decision to come out on Twitter during the MLS season, gets insight from Williams and Mundy on how athletes can best utilize their platforms and asks Ayanbadejo and Oullette about what it means to be an ally for equality. The event, Monday July 16, was for student-athletes at USC and UCLA, and was meant to empower them to advocate for racial and LGBTQ equality and mobilize the athletic community across various social justice movements.
Taylor Peay of Real Salt Lake discusses the importance of teaching student-athletes about diversity and inclusion and having them explore the labels they use to describe their identities. Through his team, Peay recently participated in a RISE leadership workshop with student-athletes in the Salt Lake City area as part of Major League Soccer’s Soccer For All Month.
FC Dallas forward Francis Atuahene shares his journey from growing up in Ghana to playing professional soccer in the United States. He also talks about the importance of Major League Soccer’s Soccer For All Month and what he got out of participating in a RISE workshop with student-athletes in Dallas that focused on identity and diversity as part of that initiative.
Nine-year MLB veteran Doug Glanville taught a course called Communication, Sports and Social Justice at the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania during the spring 2018 semester. The course examined the relationship between sports and the power to communicate for social justice. Glanville, a former ESPN MLB analyst who serves as a baseball insider for NBC Sports Chicago and contributing writer for The New York Times, joined the RISE Podcast to discuss what he and his students learned this semester and his personal experience with racial bias, media and developing relationships with law enforcement that inspired him to design the course and empower athletes to be effective advocates for social progress.
Galen Duncan, vice president of Kings Academy & professional development for the Sacramento Kings, shares an inside look at how Kings players and management reacted to the fatal shooting of Stephon Clark and how the organization decided to embrace a leadership role in addressing these issues and uniting their community.
Retired 15-year NFL veteran Takeo Spikes joined The RISE Podcast to discuss his participation in the RISE Civil Rights Pilgrimage in Alabama and the Advocacy in Sports Workshop hosted by RISE, the NFL and Morehouse College. He shared important lessons for athletes, teams and leagues that he’s learned about effective advocacy work and talked about his new book, “Behind the Mask.”
Retired professional tennis player and Grand Slam Champion Melanie Oudin joined The RISE Podcast to discuss the differences in athlete activism for those playing individual sports vs. team sports. Oudin also discussed what she learned from participating in the first Advocacy in Sports Workshop hosted by RISE, the NFL and Morehouse College.
Lorenzo Alexander of the Buffalo Bills spoke with Ian Cutler on the RISE Podcast – A Super Bowl Special. Alexander discussed the work he and the Bills have done in the community with youth, law enforcement and other groups.
Josh McCown of the New York Jets spoke with Ian Cutler on the RISE Podcast – A Super Bowl Special. McCown discussed leadership on the field and in the community, as well as his work on the “Let’s Listen Together” committee.
Retired NFL wide receiver Isaac Bruce spoke with Ian Cutler on the RISE Podcast – A Super Bowl Special. Bruce offered advice for younger players looking to make a difference in their communities.
Seth DeValve of the Cleveland Browns spoke with Ian Cutler on the RISE Podcast – A Super Bowl Special. DeValve discussed the importance of awareness related to social justice issues.
Cameron Jordan of the New Orleans Saints spoke with Ian Cutler on the RISE Podcast – A Super Bowl Special. Jordan discussed athletes using their platforms to be positive role models for children.
Pro Football Hall of Famer Tim Brown spoke with Ian Cutler for the RISE Podcast – A Super Bowl Special. Brown spoke about the importance of role models and giving back.
Jocelyn Benson, CEO of RISE, spoke with Ian Cutler for the RISE Podcast – A Super Bowl Special. Benson spoke about RISE’s work over the past year, its programs and events during Super Bowl week, the report on athlete activism it will release Friday and RISE’s plans for the future.
Eric Winston of the Cincinnati Bengals spoke with Ian Cutler on the RISE Podcast – A Super Bowl Special. Winston discussed NFL players together being a force for good in our country.
Scott Pioli, assistant general manager of the Atlanta Falcons and a RISE Board of Directors member, spoke with Ian Cutler on the RISE Podcast – A Super Bowl Special. Among various topics, Pioli discussed the RISE to Vote national nonpartisan voter-registration program, which he co-chairs for RISE.
Brandon Copeland of the Detroit Lions spoke with Ian Cutler on the RISE Podcast – A Super Bowl Special. Copeland talked about giving back to his community and instilling that value in others.
Welcome to The RISE Podcast - A Super Bowl Special, a platform for athletes to tell their stories and share their perspectives on how sports can be used to promote equality and improve race relations. We’ll be coming to you from Radio Row at the Mall of America in Minneapolis, the site of Super Bowl LII, starting Wednesday night, January 31st . We’ll be speaking with NFL players about activism and social justice, and how sports can bring people together.
Be sure to follow us here on Soundcloud or through Twitter (twitter.com/risetowin) and Facebook (facebook.com/RISEtoWINorg), and check out our website, RISEtoWIN.org, to catch every episode of The RISE Podcast - A Super Bowl Special.
(Music: Pre-Game Warm Up by Audiobinger)