Watch the Black Leaders in Athletics Event on the Grossmont College Youtube Channel.

Black leaders across the nation came together on February 18 to bridge the gap within race and athletics. Nedra Brown, Grossmont Associate Dean of Athletics and Athletic Director, hosted 10+ professionals in her Black Leadership in Athletics Event.

With the assistance from Grossmont College's UMOJA Coordinator, Jason Allen, the event was streamed live on the Grossmont College Youtube Channel. It was two hours of meaningful conversation and strategy for young student-athletes of every race in pursuit of their athletic and professional goals. 

The panelists mostly shared personal experience and guidelines that assisted them in capturing leadership positions in athletics. 

Chief Operating Officer for the Department of Athletics at Kennesaw State University, Tamica Smith-Jones, began the conversation (prompted by Nedra Brown) with two tools for moving forward as a professional in athletics; educate yourself, and network!

Dr. Mark Hartley agreed with Smith, adding to that point how "Successful people love to share how they became successful," and that it is essential to ask for help from more experienced "players" in the game, just as you would a teammate or coach. 

Hartley never expected that a disgruntled supervisor would push him forward in finding his current posiiton as Dean of Student Life and Athletic Director at Norco College. 

"There's always someone to help you," said Pamm Zierfus-Hubbard, Interim Dean of Instruction -CTE, Library, and Athletics at Clovis College, and sometimes the help is unwarranted. 

Receiving help of his own in an athletic training and rehab facility (due to an injury), San Francisco 49er Jamar Taylor chimed in that mimicking your idols is a great way to reach your professional goals. Also, discipline (i.e. participating in Grossmont College's Black Leadership Event while receiving treatment). 

Similarly, NFL player Anthony Lanier II preached work-ethic and grit to get you to where you want to be. "Often times you'll carry the weight of the world on your shoulders, but that's what we have shoulders for. Carry it."

Nedra Brown could relate; she interviewed twice for the Associate Dean of Athletics and Athletic Director position at Grossmont College, being rejected the first time. She accepted that she wasn't ready, so she further prepared without knowing that the position would open again. After a two year grind at Santa Monica College and some networking Brown tried again, and in 2019 she captured the position.

"Often times it's about saying yes to the opportunity," shared the Athletic Coordinator at the University of Alabama in Birmingham, Gregory Green. It's the opportunity to try, fail, and then try again.

Keith Turner (Head Track and Field Coach and Assistant Basketball Coach at Hoover High School) expressed that "...athletes are trained to face adversity! It's the game of life!" When athletes find themselves in tough situations, like 2020, they are better equipped to move forward. 

"That's why student-athletes and athletes in general are the best candidates for jobs," continued Green. "They carry a full load of classes and practice and compete daily, learning time management, respect, and discipline."

More importantly, athletes learn "mind management," a term coined during the event by Grossmont College alumnus Timothy Perry.

Mind management is purposefully exposing and filtering the mind to specific information, ideas, and overall stimuli etc., and prioritizing thoughts. It's being "mindful" of our thoughts. 

That's why physical therapy doctoral candidate, business owner (Infinite Sports), and ex-professional player Janae Young doesn't waste a moment of the day. "Even when I'm driving I'll turn on a class lecture or podcast, sometimes instead of listening to music." Every minute counts toward success.

Tamara McDonald also felt strongly about mindfulness, specific to athletes carrying themselves in integrity every day. "Modern day athletes are constantly auditioning," she said. McDonald is the Assistant Coach for the University of Washington's Women's Basketball Team. 

This raised the question surrounding the pros and cons of social media. Lanier stated that it's difficult to create a new brand of the self if an old one is still prevalent. Admittedly having enjoyed social parties in college, Lanier's better judgment never shared that side of himself to viewers. 

"To an extent athletes have to play to an audience, yet remain true to the self," Smith-Jones added. "Be mindful of who's watching, but don't become someone else in doing so."

"Athletics is only two degrees of separation," Zierfus-Hubbard said from experience. "Each athlete is usually two or less social connections away from one another." What will your coaches, teammates, and colleagues say about you? 

By the end of the event the panelists were only one degree separated from each other, viewers alike. Although it remained uncertain what the future held for all, both panelist and viewer walked away from the Black Leadership in Athletics Event with more love of the game than just two hours before (if that's possible!).

One Grossmont student had so much to say about the event,

"This was by far one of my favorite webinars I've attended. The information given was very inspirational and informative. Not only did I learn more about what black athletes face, I also learned what motivates them and makes them so great. I'm not a huge fan of sports and never really acknowledged the hard work that athletes put into their profession, especially black athletes. This webinar could inspire anyone no matter their race. The words of inspiration, tips, and stories shared at the webinar gave me a boost in motivation. Some things that I think would resonate with any student such as myself (regardless of race), include the importance of networking, accepting rejection in the professional field, building a strong sense of determination, have great work ethic, always show up as yourself, know your worth, develop a strong mentality, improve those time management skills, dream big, have faith in yourself, become your #1 fan, use those tough shoulders to lift weight, etc. Attending this webinar was truly a great opportunity and I was able to take so much from it."

Find out for yourself!

Watch the Black Leaders in Athletics Event on the Grossmont College Youtube Channel.