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On February 13, 1923, the New York Renaissance, the first all-Black professional basketball team, was organized. The Renaissance, commonly called the Rens, became one of the dominant teams of the 1920s and 1930s. Learn more about this amazing team here: https://lnkd.in/dGb96hpv  #todayinblackhistory #todayinhistory #Trailblazers #BlackHistoryMonth #blackhistory #AmplifyBlackVoices #kalabash # #blackconsultants #blackbusiness #blackentrepreneurs #consultants #community

This is encouraging, if long overdue, news from across the pond. I had the pleasure of visiting a number of Boy Scouts of America troops eleven years ago on a backpacking/couchsurfing trip (jesus that makes me feel old). At that time they'd just moved to allow openly gay members into the organisation, and having come from UK Scouting, where such things had been far more acceptable for far longer, it all felt behind the times and a bit bonkers. This new feels much the same - good, though why on earth has it taken this long? Though, if you do some digging, there have been branches of Scouting America that have been open to boys and girls (and coed) for years. Plus, the comments thread on this post has some very agitated exchanges of view lurking in it (well worth a read if you're got a spare moment in your lunch and want to be mildly concerned about some members of society). So, what are we to think of it? I suppose, thinking with my writing/messaging/communicating ideas hat on, this post leaves me with the following thoughts: ⚜️You can celebrate progress while still pushing for more progress. You don't have to do one or the other. There's still work to be done, in BSA and everywhere, on inclusion for non-binary and transgender youth. But moves like this are stepping stones to that world and are good things. ⚜️While it's not as much fun, researching your own standpoint is always a good idea if you don't want to look silly. For instance, there are lots of people in the comments asking why Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts can't be merged in the US. The answer is that, despite their similar names, they are both members of different worldwide organisations and so subject to different policies, rules, and goals. A little bit of Googling would have saved quite a few arguments in the comments thread. ⚜️ Critical thinking will often make your argument better, too. For instance, I saw a few reactions to this news mourning the loss of a boys-only space where men can teach boys how to be good men. There's a tribal part of my brain that agrees with that, but it only takes a moment's reflection to realise a few things: Human beings have always existed in a co-ed environment called The World, where they learned how to be men from men and from women, and everyone in between. A lot of Teaching Men How To Be Men involves discussions of how to treat people with other gender identities. The notion that this education of how to interact with the world should happen in a space where a significant portion of that world is not allowed, is logically bonkers. If your boys are truly desperate for a boys-only space, then they can hang out with their boy friends in their own time. Nobody is against that, and nobody wants to police that. There's just no need for a formal organisation like scouts (or school or Scouting) to enforce that separation, at least not for boys. What do you think? #TheGrumpyCopywriter #Scouting #gender

As the second official Annual General Meeting of the Cleves Sport Group approaches, we can't help but reflect on the whirlwind journey which has brought us to this point. What started as a simple idea - to get some washed up athletes back together to scratch that competitive itch - has grown into a fully-fledged community. Cleves now spans multiple sports across myriad leagues, but what continues to define us (and unite us) are our core values: Community, Leadership, Energy, Veracity, and Empathy. CLEVE. Undoubtedly, there have been bumps along the way; and undoubtedly there will be several more to come. However, when we look out and see the collection of incredible individuals who now proudly call themselves Cleves, we are more confident than ever that our organization will continue going from strength to strength. We may have gotten the ball rolling, but the idea of Cleves has taken hold, and it is now a self-sustaining enterprise. And we could not be more proud. Once a Cleve, always a Cleve. - Evan, Max, and Esteban

Most calendars let you see events one month or one week at a time, but not a whole year on one page with event titles. Teamup allows you to see all events for the entire year. There are three ways to do so. Demonstrated on this video is the program calendar at Boy Scouts of America - Chief Seattle Council: https://lnkd.in/evD2q6qK #BSA #scouts #programschedule #calendar

Reflecting on my journey, my relationship with Scouting has been complex. At the age of 12, I was unfortunately expelled from the organization simply because of my sexual orientation. It was a challenging experience, as Scouting was something I deeply enjoyed. During my college years, I harbored resentment towards Scouting and initially had no desire to engage with their issues. I asked my professor to pair me with a different company for my Marketing Capstone and my mind was set on not helping Boy Scouts of America. It wasn't until I discovered the profound impact community involvement, enrichment, and diversity can have in Scouting that my perspective shifted and I decided to stay and help research BSA’s issues. Despite my negative experience, I found myself drawn back to Scouting's potential for positive change. I began working to foster a more inclusive environment for all youth. Reflecting on my experiences, including my involvement in the Spring 2023 Marketing Research Capstone at OSU and ongoing advocacy efforts at Simon Kenton Council for diversity, inclusion, and equity, I feel grateful for the opportunity to have potentially contributed to this significant change. I believe that my contributions, alongside many others pushing for more ESG-based principles, have played a role in fostering an environment where such progress is possible. Now, I'm a queer, gender non-conforming POC deeply involved in advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion within Scouting. My past experiences have fueled my passion for ensuring that no one faces discrimination like I did. It's a journey that's both personal and meaningful, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to help shape the future of scouting for the better. As we celebrate this milestone, I look forward to continuing to support and champion initiatives that promote diversity, equity, and belonging within our community and beyond. #DiversityandInclusion #Scouting #NonProfit #SocialImpact #AdvocacyMatters

My kids are part of the 1 million+ youth who are in Scouting America. Today is our Blue & Gold Celebration and I am reflecting on what my family has gained from participating. This wouldn't have been possible without Scouts BSA evolving to become a more inclusive organization, which pre-empted the name change to Scouting America. This Forbes article describes some of what the brand is getting right. Speaking as a den leader and Scout parent, I agree. #ScoutMeIn https://lnkd.in/gz6Rqfew

💫 Trio of Star NFL Changemakers 💫 Introducing Austin Ekeler, Tyreek Hill, and Bijan Robinson—three NFL stars using their platform to drive positive change! Learn how Ekeler's foundation provides essential resources, Hill empowers at-risk youth, and Robinson tackles issues of faith, homelessness, and youth empowerment. Visit pav.news for more updates on the impactful endeavors of NFL players at Pro Athletes Ventures! #NFL #AustinEkeler #TyreekHill #BijanRobinson #Changemakers

Back to the Future-The Importance of Neighborhood Play While more school districts and city support for sports play is great, there are not enough schools, parks and rec departments, sports leagues or coaches to fix the significant decline in play for our kids----- and as parents --ultimately we control that experience. We feel the answer for kids to reengage with sports play is in our own backyard --and we just need to open the door after school or during the weekends and just let the kids in your neighborhood find each other and play what they want and when they want ----less control and less scheduling -means better child development for our kids-even if it means a occasional skinned knee or getting teased for wearing a White Sox's cap in a Cubs neighborhood. https://lnkd.in/gyatTWze

Last evening my wife and I had the privilege of attending the TONY FINAU FOUNDATION (TFF) Gala in Park City, Utah, with the wildly popular Jim "Bones" Mackay as a special guest. Amidst captivating stories and insightful perspectives on the current landscape of golf, what struck me the most was the profound impact athletes can make when they leverage their platform for good. Reflecting on the event, I found four key themes that resonated deeply with me: 1️⃣ Community: TFF celebrates community. They believe in lifting each other up, supporting each others dreams, and sharing their successes. 2️⃣ Family: The work of TFF is about giving kids what they need - and that means equipping whole families to grow stronger together. 3️⃣ Service: Above all else, give back. TFF serves communities, kids, and families - and finds meaning only through doing good work. 4️⃣ Empowerment: TFF gives kids and their families the tools they need to discover their passions and drive forward into their futures with confidence. Tony Finau exemplifies not only remarkable skill on the golf course but also outstanding qualities as a husband, father, and community leader. His dedication to making a difference serves as a beacon of inspiration. I'm curious to hear about other athletes who, like Tony, use their platform to effect positive change and embody admirable character traits. Let's celebrate those who inspire us beyond the field or court. Who comes to mind for you?