I have been an athlete my whole life. From the moment I could walk, I was in an organized sport. For most of my childhood, the only thing I thought about outside of myself and my family was my sport, volleyball. That was until February 26, 2012. That was the night Trayvon Martin was tragically killed and the innocence of my childhood was stripped away. I was just 11 years old, and as I watched the news, all I could see was my brother and my father in Trayvon’s picture. It still keeps me up at night hoping that they are not the next ones to fall victim to the despairing and disappointing reality of racism in America. My dad has always raised me and my siblings to understand what it means to grow up Black in America, but those lessons didn’t set in until that moment. As a child coming to terms with the harsh realities of life, I quickly learned that race wasn't just a superficial difference, but a deeply ingrained societal issue with profound consequences. Witnessing such injustices at a young age made me lose some of my innocence, but it also ignited a fire within me to confront and dismantle systemic racism.
Since then, I knew I wanted to change the world. As I grew older, I realized I could leverage my platform as a student-athlete to talk about the social injustices that I am passionate about. During my collegiate volleyball recruiting process, I made a point to go to a school that would value my voice as an aspiring activist. I chose Colorado State University, where I felt supported as I found my calling for activism. During my time at Colorado State, I had many opportunities to grow in my leadership as well. I was honored to be a student-athlete leader on the Together Initiative — an initiative established through Colorado State Athletics to combat racism within the CSU Athletics community. I was able to publish an op-ed titled “Why I Won't Stick to Sports,” and I had the opportunity to meet New York City Councilman Yusef Salaam.
I knew that my platform could reach even more people and new audiences, so I transferred to Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU), the #1 public Historically Black College and University in America to continue developing my voice. At FAMU, I have had the opportunity to gain hands-on experience, allowing me to plan and execute multiple projects related to social justice and student activism. During my journey, I realized that personal advocacy alone was not enough to move the needle forward on equity and justice for all. A turning point in my advocacy was moving from talking only about my own experiences to talking about systemic injustices. As I made this transition, I came across The Team’s Engaged Athlete Fellowship — a group of people with similar values committed to promoting social change and civic engagement. Through my fellowship, I have been able to work with people who share my passion for justice and equality. As a Fellow, I have been able to continue my advocacy efforts while gaining critical skills and resources that can directly impact my community. I immersed myself in a project aimed at raising awareness, advocating for policy reform, and fostering dialogue within my community. Through organizing workshops, participating in community outreach initiatives, and leveraging social media to spark conversations, The Team’s Engaged Athlete Fellowship has empowered me to take my advocacy to the next level.
Looking back on the impact from that night in 2012, my burning desire remains to do everything I can in my communities to prevent a similar tragedy. I have been lucky to be able to use my platform as a student-athlete to touch so many lives in my communities. Throughout all my work, I have aimed to share what I know in order to educate and protect the Black and Brown people in my community. My project with The Team was a mentorship program called “Why Voting Matters,” hosted by Griffin Middle School. I had the opportunity to go into a classroom and talk about the importance of civic engagement, what voting means to Black and Brown communities, and the legislative process. The kids loved the curriculum and wanted a chance to make their voices heard, so we worked on a mock legislative bill for the school community which aimed to reallocate and increase the lunch budget by 2% to help address their concerns over school lunches. By the end of the mentorship, the mock legislation passed.
For so long, the Black community has fought for their right to vote; it was an all-consuming struggle, paid for even with the lives of some of our ancestors. Enfranchisem*nt is so crucial that even after the right was obtained, multiple forces and systems have tried to diminish it — meaning the lessons past generations learned must still be taught today. By shifting my focus from personal advocacy to collective action and education, I’ve not only expanded my own understanding of social justice, but also contributed to building a more informed and engaged community.
It wasn't always my intention to become an activist in my community, but it has grown to become a part of who I am just as much as being an athlete is. I found that the educational aspect of activism drew me in. I funneled the passion I experienced during protests into educating myself and those around me. When I lived out the commitments I made during the protests, I felt a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment. I started in my own community: my teammates, coaches, and family. While my athletic abilities will eventually fade, I will always be a Black woman in America with a platform that aims to teach and hopefully one day see a world that fulfills the statement “liberty and justice for all.” My goal is to shift the societal perception of civic engagement and the political process, and I believe voting is the first step in this process. This year, we have the opportunity to vote up and down the ballot — for our mayors, local representatives, governors, and our president.
Let's actively participate in our democracy rather than watching it from the sidelines. I urge you to find your voice through athletics — or whatever hobby makes you feel as free as athletics has done for me — and utilize it to bring about significant change. The change we wish to see in the world must start with us. It's time to enter the political process and speak up for those who are silent and marginalized, as well as for ourselves. Together, let's hold our officials accountable and make sure they speak for everyone's interests. Let's work toward equity and justice, tearing down the obstacles that stand in the way of people reaching their greatest potential. Let's participate in local elections as well, where decisions have a direct influence on our communities, and not just during major election years. Let's interact with our neighbors, talk about the things that really matter and try to figure out solutions together. Let's support laws that uplift equity and inclusivity while giving historically oppressed people more voice.
The power lies within us, within our collective will to create a better future. Let's wield it together, united in our commitment to building a society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. So, let's lace up our sneakers, step onto the field of democracy, and play our part in shaping a brighter tomorrow.
More than 1019 colleges and universities currently participate in the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, including Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. Learn more about ALL IN and support our work here.
