Black Girl Fest Studios’ Post

“If we show emotion, we’re called dramatic. If we want to play against men, we’re nuts. And if we dream of equal opportunity, we’re delusional. When we stand for something, we’re unhinged. When we’re too good, there’s something wrong with us. And if we get angry, we’re hysterical, irrational, or just being crazy. But a woman running a marathon was crazy. A woman dunking, crazy. Coaching an NBA team, crazy. A woman competing in a hijab; changing her sport; landing a double- cork 1080; or winning 23 grand slams, having a baby, and then coming back for more, crazy, crazy, crazy, and crazy. So if they want to call you crazy, fine. Show them what crazy can do.” It’s only crazy until you do it. It’s a mindset. A focus. A deep seated spirit. It’s an inner strength to keep your feet planted firmly on the ground, no matter what presses against you. It’s confidence. It’s belief. It’s a way of life. #EmpoweredWomen #WomenInLeadership #BreakingBarriers #Strength #Confidence #Equality #Inspiration #WomenWhoLead #WomenInBusiness #FemaleEmpowerment #WomenSupportingWomen #Nike #CrazyWomen www.oxfordleadership.com https://lnkd.in/gH_hDC2i

Exploring the Speed Debate: Myth or Fact? Is it true that African Americans excel in short-distance races? Let's dive into the facts and explore this intriguing topic. Check out the article: https://lnkd.in/dFq-WJX6 #SPOTCOVERY #RunningMyths #AfricanAmericanAthletes #Speedsters #highlights

Please watch the video to the end. Words fail me!

Yesterday in the middle of the Black Monday where the markets were crashing across the world, few people noticed a little important moment in sports history that represents not only personal superation but also the power of diversity in achieving results. Let's break this moment down. Over there in Paris a talented young black Brazilian woman, Rebeca Andrade, coming from a country of no real tradition in gymnastics beat what the media has been calling the “best athlete in the world”, Simone Biles. Superation? Yes for sure… Rebeca grew up in a very poor family in the Brazilian slums, and on several occasions had to walk miles to practice alone as her family didn't have the means to take her. What else? Being recognized in a country where soccer and volleyball are the main sports is also a win that made Rebeca the single best Olympic athlete in Brazil’s history. So as people say with dedication, talent and hard work you can achieve the Olympus. But I am sure that someone will remind us that you also need support and the right conditions to prosper. So as a manager, think about that. But that was not it! Why are Simone and Jordan bowing to Rebeca on the podium in a sport where the top of the stand is the ultimate glory and translates in millions of dollars to both of them? If I need to guess, I think it was some portion of recognition of what Rebeca had just done against those two. Reinforcing that even in competition you need to have some grace when you lose and recognize and learn from your competitors. But not only that. They were all celebrating that for the first time in the history of Olympic sport, yes all history, we had an all black women podium. Remember that not only this is an important moment for black women across the sports but it is even more historical in floor gymnastics. Why is that? Because if you go back in Olympics history Simone is the only black woman in the top 15 all time medalists in this sport that has been dominated by European white girls since its inception. The only other non-Eastern European is Shannon Miller, alsoAmerican. When nobody thought that black women could compete in a white dominated sport, the three finalists yesterday showed that investing in diversity and different perspectives on the sport may show champions in the arena but also in real life. Congratulations to the three! And hoping the few of us that paid attention learned something. #leadership #dei #inclusion

“The official also expressed deep regret for what they described as an honest error” Please don’t make the mistake of seeing this as just a very remarkable act of racism from a white adult to a black child gymnast. Gymnastics Ireland has since apologised following formal mediation with the child’s parents, saying the act was unintentional. Many anti-racism/DEI advocates are criticised for “reading more into it” i.e. overplaying the significance of this type of humiliating mistreatment by viewing it as a representation of a general societal issue with wider importance as opposed to an isolated incident. So you can expect this post to be criticised. The treatment of this black child is not to be seen as an isolated incident without any wider societal importance. Medal ceremonies are to represent fair outcomes. The treatment of this gymnast is representative of centuries of the unfair treatment of black people— 👉🏾 the denial of black medals in sports, entertainment, housing,, education, healthcare, criminal justice, employment (e.g. when qualified black candidates fail at job interview). If the sole black child has publicly won with her team, but has been ‘unintentionally’ denied a medal in full view of her white teammates, it indicates that the racism is embedded - that anti-black racism is the default position. Some call this unconscious bias. Others argue this was conscious/deliberate. I doubt that it was premeditated though i.e. “if any black gymnast wins tomorrow I’ll make sure they don’t get a medal”. I’m guessing that the conduct was either spur-of-the-moment intentional or unconsciously instinctive i.e innate. As innate as blinking without thinking. So could it really be that depriving this smiling, expectant black child of a medal because of her skin colour was programmed, innate racist human behaviour? What did this official - now paying the price for her conduct - stand to gain? Some would argue that she stood to gain by discouraging black children from entering white spaces e.g. tennis, gymnastics, swimming, ice skating, where they don’t belong. However, I’m not convinced this was planned, but I may be persuaded that preserving a black-free zone may be part of her innate racist agenda - an unwritten manifesto to keep certain sports white. I can hear the detractors— “You’re reading too much into it” “You’re looking too deeply into it” “You’re seeing things that don’t exist” In fairness, we don’t know enough about the offender, but I would wager that she’s widely regarded as a very nice person, with glowing character references of her brilliant work ethic, kindness and selflessness— But still capable of consciously or innately thinking the little black girl did not belong. I would’ve been more comfortable if this white female were intentional in her racism. Why? Because it is much easier to identify and cure intentional racism than unintentional insidious racism. We continue to fight for black medals.

Why Aren't People Praising DEI by Highlighting Hires like Simone Biles, Suni Lee, and Gabby Thomas? Eboo Patel's recent USA Today article on DEI and the Olympics (https://lnkd.in/g7QvhWqd), spotlighting athletes like Simone Biles and Suni Lee, offers insights that resonate beyond sports. It emphasizes DEI as more than a concept—it's a unifying force that brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds to achieve excellence. This is particularly relevant for Black religious organizations, especially in the relationships they build with their vendors, suppliers, and partners. At Nonprofit Fundraising Management (NFM), we believe DEI should be a foundational principle in all aspects of an organization's operations, not just within the congregation but also in the external partnerships that sustain the organization. Just as the U.S. Olympic teams draw strength from their diverse identities, Black religious organizations can push for DEI advocacy with their vendors. Supporting DEI with vendors—whether banks, suppliers, or service providers—is a powerful way for Black religious organizations to extend their influence and commitment to social justice. By partnering with vendors who prioritize DEI, religious organizations can drive systemic change beyond their walls. How Black Religious Organizations Can Advocate for DEI with Vendors: Evaluate Vendor DEI Practices: When selecting service providers, inquire about their DEI policies. Partner with those committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Promote DEI Standards: Work with current vendors to adopt DEI standards, including diverse hiring practices, equitable pay, and inclusive work environments. Collaborate for Change: Engage vendors in supporting DEI initiatives within the broader community through joint projects or financial support. Hold Vendors Accountable: Include DEI in vendor agreements, ensuring it's a requirement for maintaining a partnership. By taking these steps, Black religious organizations can play a crucial role in promoting DEI beyond their immediate influence. Just as the Olympics demonstrate the strength that comes from embracing diversity, these organizations can help build a more equitable and inclusive society by advocating for DEI with their vendors. In doing so, they enhance their operations and set a powerful example for others to follow. Let's take inspiration from the U.S. Olympic teams and apply those lessons to our vendor relationships. By pushing for DEI advocacy, we can create a ripple effect that benefits everyone, paving the way for a more just and inclusive future.

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Converting habits to skills – and why that matters. #coach #coaching #baseballtraining #baseball #trainingmode #trainingmotivation #striveforexcellence #striveforgreatness #baseballlife #baseballseason bit.ly/49BiQVc