Skip to content
Home News U SPORTS Canada mark Black History Month

U SPORTS Canada mark Black History Month

FISU 24 February 2021

U SPORTS Black History Month

 

U SPORTS Conversations, a live event celebrating Black History Month featuring several prominent Black personalities with ties to university sports in Canada took place on 16 February.

 

Hosted by NBA TV Canada / Toronto Raptors personality and Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Producer Savanna Hamilton – a former member of the Ryerson Rams women’s basketball team from 2014-18 – the event featured nine panelists, including prominent black student-athletes, coaches, sport administrators and alumni of U SPORTS member athletic programmes and institutions.

 

The live conversation represented an opportunity for U SPORTS to hear from those in the ecosystem and to celebrate the success stories of the Black community on a national platform, to examine the issues and barriers the BIPOC community faces and highlight the advocacy work being accomplished by U SPORTS members.

 

“We are proud to showcase BIPOC leaders across all levels of university sport in celebration of Black History Month,” said Dick White, U SPORTS Interim CEO. “This is an important opportunity to listen to their experiences, educate our network and support our Black teammates and colleagues as they empower the next generation.”

 

 

 

Speakers that participated included:

  • Tyra Blizzard – 2020 graduate, Ottawa Gee-Gees women’s basketball

  • Tyrell Laing – Fifth-year guard, UNBC Timberwolves men’s basketball

  • Kryshanda Green – 2020 graduate and team captain, Ryerson Rams women’s hockey

  • Bawe Nsame  – Marketing Coordinator, Niagara 2022 Canada Games; Former student-athlete, Brock Badgers men’s soccer

  • Lee Anna Osei – Head coach, StFX X-Women basketball & Founder, Black Canadian Coaches’ Association

  • Charles Kissi – Head coach, Guelph Nighthawks (CEBL), former police officer

  • Tenicha Gittens – Head coach, Concordia Stingers women’s basketball

  • Donnovan Bennett – Sportsnet personality; Former running back, Western Mustangs football

  • Dr. Ivan Joseph – Vice-President Student Affairs, Wilfrid Laurier University