Bucknell University Athletics
Bison Athletes of Color Affinity Group Launched in Fall Semester
11/30/2020 10:38:00 AM | Men's Soccer, Women's Lacrosse, Student-Athlete Enrichment
Throughout 2020, Bucknell Athletics has renewed its focus on issues related to diversity, equity and inclusion, particularly in the area of anti-racism. Led by the Bucknell Athletics DEI Council, Bucknell Athletics Student-Athlete Engagement, the Patriot League Anti-Racism Commission, and other organizations on and off campus, numerous conversations and actions have taken place in the important arenas of social justice.
One significant result is Bison Athletes of Color (BAC). This student-run affinity group has been in the planning stages for a number of years, and now thanks to the significant efforts and commitment from Bison student-athletes, BAC came to fruition this semester. The purpose of BAC is to build a community among student-athletes of color, where they can come together in a space with shared experiences. The group strives to create an environment that fosters development, engagement and collaboration between peers from underrepresented racial and ethnic backgrounds, as well as bridge partnerships with other affinity groups, staff and faculty, and resources across campus. In addition to community building, the group is focused on personal and professional development, while also providing a voice to the athletics administration and larger campus community.
BAC is led by the executive board of senior Kali Peeples (women's lacrosse), junior Alex Clarke (men's soccer), senior Nnamdi Unachukwu (football), junior Dominic Lyles (football), senior Jazmyn Stokes (softball) and junior Allyse Volpe (softball). Bucknell senior associate director of athletics Maisha Kelly serves as an adviser to the group.
The group hosted three virtual meeting sessions during the fall semester, with more planned for the spring. The first session served as an introduction with a discussion on goals and meeting structure. The second gathering featured alumni guests who discussed their own experiences, both at Bucknell and after graduation. In the third session, multicultural psychologist Christina Johnson joined the group for a conversation about managing stress and anxiety in a current climate that has been marked by loss, a pandemic, uncertainty and social injustice.
"I, along with Maisha Kelly, have been working to establish BAC for a couple of years now," said Peeples. "I am so grateful to not only Maisha but the other BAC executive board members for finally being able to launch this group in the fall semester of 2020. BAC affords student-athletes of color a space where we can discuss our concerns, thoughts and feelings, all the while fostering a nurturing environment where we can grow not only as leaders but as people. I hope that this group continues to flourish, even after we all graduate, and I cannot wait to see what BAC has in store for the future."
"What this group means to me is advocating a safe place where student-athletes of color can come together to talk and discuss our experiences," said Clarke. "From there, we can then share ideas on how we can better those experiences, especially for incoming underclassmen."
"I continue to be proud of how Bison student-athletes remain leaders in all spaces they intersect," said Kelly. "BAC is the result of work started two years ago by a number of student-athletes of color, many of whom are now alumni. This group will not only serve as a space for current student-athletes of color, but it will be a bridge that connects past and present members of our community. Students who played a role in establishing this group will leave a legacy that we plan to have last in perpetuity while continuing to shape the Bucknell and Bison Athletics communities for all."
One significant result is Bison Athletes of Color (BAC). This student-run affinity group has been in the planning stages for a number of years, and now thanks to the significant efforts and commitment from Bison student-athletes, BAC came to fruition this semester. The purpose of BAC is to build a community among student-athletes of color, where they can come together in a space with shared experiences. The group strives to create an environment that fosters development, engagement and collaboration between peers from underrepresented racial and ethnic backgrounds, as well as bridge partnerships with other affinity groups, staff and faculty, and resources across campus. In addition to community building, the group is focused on personal and professional development, while also providing a voice to the athletics administration and larger campus community.
BAC is led by the executive board of senior Kali Peeples (women's lacrosse), junior Alex Clarke (men's soccer), senior Nnamdi Unachukwu (football), junior Dominic Lyles (football), senior Jazmyn Stokes (softball) and junior Allyse Volpe (softball). Bucknell senior associate director of athletics Maisha Kelly serves as an adviser to the group.
The group hosted three virtual meeting sessions during the fall semester, with more planned for the spring. The first session served as an introduction with a discussion on goals and meeting structure. The second gathering featured alumni guests who discussed their own experiences, both at Bucknell and after graduation. In the third session, multicultural psychologist Christina Johnson joined the group for a conversation about managing stress and anxiety in a current climate that has been marked by loss, a pandemic, uncertainty and social injustice.
"I, along with Maisha Kelly, have been working to establish BAC for a couple of years now," said Peeples. "I am so grateful to not only Maisha but the other BAC executive board members for finally being able to launch this group in the fall semester of 2020. BAC affords student-athletes of color a space where we can discuss our concerns, thoughts and feelings, all the while fostering a nurturing environment where we can grow not only as leaders but as people. I hope that this group continues to flourish, even after we all graduate, and I cannot wait to see what BAC has in store for the future."
"What this group means to me is advocating a safe place where student-athletes of color can come together to talk and discuss our experiences," said Clarke. "From there, we can then share ideas on how we can better those experiences, especially for incoming underclassmen."
"I continue to be proud of how Bison student-athletes remain leaders in all spaces they intersect," said Kelly. "BAC is the result of work started two years ago by a number of student-athletes of color, many of whom are now alumni. This group will not only serve as a space for current student-athletes of color, but it will be a bridge that connects past and present members of our community. Students who played a role in establishing this group will leave a legacy that we plan to have last in perpetuity while continuing to shape the Bucknell and Bison Athletics communities for all."
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's Soccer
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