Related Content
• CoSIDA Race & Social Justice Initiative
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CoSIDA Diversity and Inclusion Value Statement
LIVE WEBINAR: Click here to register for Critical Conversation: The Intersection of Race and Athletic Communications
July 15, 2020: 2 PM (ET) / 1 PM (CT) / Noon (MT) / 11 AM (PT)
Series begins with July webinar “Critical Conversations About Race and Social Justice”
The 2020-21 CoSIDA Executive Board of Directors presents the CoSIDA Racial and Social Justice Initiative — a year-long series of conversations, events, learning opportunities and resource-sharing that will focus on racial and social justice in the United States, in intercollegiate athletics and as part of the athletics communications profession.
“The CoSIDA Racial and Social Justice Initiative is an opportunity for our members to listen and learn about race and social justice and how we as athletic communicators can champion change on our campuses and communities,” said CoSIDA President Sam Atkinson, Gallaudet University Associate AD for Communications. “This is the chance for all of us to reflect, grow and take action to help move the needle forward when it comes to race, social justice and equality for all.”
The first event, entitled “Critical Conversations About Race and Social Justice,” will be a webinar July 15 at 2 PM (ET). The conversations will feature:
- Jessica Poole – CoSIDA Second Vice President and Senior Associate Athletic Director for External Operations and Revenue Generation, Chicago State
- Kenisha Rhone – Director of Digital Media and Social Strategy, Belmont University
- Scottie Rodgers – Director of Communications, Goodyear Cotton Bowl
- Kyle Serba – Executive Senior Associate A.D. for Strategic Communications, North Carolina Central
- DeWayne Peevy – Deputy Athletics Director, University of Kentucky, moderator
“On behalf of the CoSIDA Diversity and Inclusion Committee, I want to thank the CoSIDA Executive Board for spearheading this initiative,” committee chair Poole said. “The time for merely acknowledging that we have a problem has passed. CoSIDA’s commitment to providing a space for education, resources and listening will be vital to our membership as we continue to be a part of the racial and social justice movement in both college athletics and the global world.”
The year-long initiative will feature monthly activities for CoSIDA members and will also include a resources list on CoSIDA.com Planning is underway for an August session that will focus on helping CoSIDA members understand how they can help amplify the voices of student-athletes and staff through activism.
CoSIDA committees will work throughout the year to incorporate diversity initiatives into their yearly goals. Several committees will partner with CoSIDA’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee to sponsor learning opportunities for members. Topics include:
- Recruiting and retaining Black athletics communications professionals
- Expanding opportunities for young Black CoSIDA professionals to grow their networks within athletics
- Expanding the hiring universe to include more minorities
- Introducing the profession to minority student-athletes
- Positioning communications professionals as change agents in the movement to combat racial inequality and social injustice
“These are critical issues that are of the utmost importance to all of us and I’m excited that we have an initiative in place that will bring focus and understanding in helping our members be a part of solutions in both the workplace and society," CoSIDA Executive Director Doug Vance stated. “This continues to be a priority for our board of directors and this program is the next step in going forward with our diversity pursuits.”
Click here to register for the July 15 webinar: Critical Conversations About Racial and Social Justice. Visit
CoSIDA.com/CoSIDAforChange regularly for links to educational webinars, podcasts, articles and other resources. This site will be updated throughout the academic year.