PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Ten Brown University student-athletes had the opportunity earlier this summer to attend the Black Student-Athlete Summit, which was hosted by the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.
The contingent from Brown were among the over 1,000 student-athletes from across the country, and nearly 40 Ivy League student-athletes to attend the conference. The mission of the summit is for student-athletes to connect and engage with each other to create innovative solutions and initiatives on their campuses that provide opportunities for black student-athletes in the global workforce after graduation.
Kendra Ezeama (left) was selected as the
National Black Student-Athlete of
the Year
One member of the Bears was also recognized with a major honor as track and field thrower Kendra Ezeama, a rising senior from Smithfield, R.I., was selected as the BSA National Student-Athlete of the Year.
"(The award means) everything," Ezeama said. "It's the first big award I have ever received. This is different than a track medal that you win for your talent. I won this for my desire to aid in the success of black athletes everywhere."
Each of the student-athletes believes the connections they made with fellow Ivies, as well as their peers from across the nation, gave them a new perspective on how they can influence and enact change in various ways on their own campuses.
"The Summit showed me that we are not here just because we are athletes, but agents of change capable of breaking barriers and building bridges," Ezeama said. "The way we put aside our schedules to brainstorm together how to improve the diaspora is proof of the work we have done and the work that needs to be done."
Among the other attendees from Brown were track and field rising senior Jaiden Stokes, and Dylan Ellis, a rising junior on the men's soccer team.
"Having the opportunity to attend the Black Student Athlete Summit (BSAS) was amazing, to say the least. Not only was I able to meet athletes from so many different universities across the country, I was also able to bond with my fellow Brown athletes that attended the summit alongside me. I learned valuable lessons, as well as new ways of thinking about and approaching problems that have been afflicting my team and our athletic department as a whole. But most importantly, it was just so much fun getting to be around so many people who look like I do. The sense of community and belonging was indescribable."
"Everyone thinks about things differently, and part of that is based on life experiences, but also who people are fundamentally. Getting to surround myself with over a thousand students in total and several from the Ivy League was an opportunity to better ourselves and bring our newfound knowledge back to the Brown community. We were also able to form lasting relationships, opening up doors in the future to continue our discussions from the summit or just chat about whatever is going on in our current lives. It was truly amazing and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
"I would describe my experience overall, as empowering. The event was filled with experienced and decorated professionals as well as student-athletes from all over the country all of whom had different backgrounds and stories on how they got there, yet despite the diversity of minds and experiences every individual in attendance shared the passion and dedication to better the schools and environments that surrounded them."
"I took away so much from my trip, and truly believe I walked away from the experience with the knowledge and vision to be a better peer and mentor to students and athletes throughout our campus. Going to the Black Student-Athlete Summit, showed me just how many people are both willing and able to support me on my journey through not only school and athletics, but life as a whole. I look forward to the opportunity to provide that same support to the people that make up my school and my community."
To learn more about the Black Student-Athlete Summit and their events, visit their website at bsasummit.org.
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