Page Updated: 03.02.2021
Diversity & Inclusion Committee Background
The Diversity & Inclusion Committee was created in 2016 under the leadership and guidance of then WBCA President Coquese Washington. The purpose of the committee is to advise and guide the WBCA Board of Directors regarding issues of diversity and inclusion that are important to the WBCA membership. The committee will:
- Consider diversity issues and/or best practices that the membership deems important and provide recommendations to the board of directors regarding such matters; and
- Respond to requests for assistance or guidance from WBCA staff or the board with respect to such diversity-related issues as they may arise.
The committee is composed of coaches, administrators and industry leaders from all levels of the game.
Areas of Focus
- Advancement of ethnic minorities in the profession.
- Advancement of the LBGTQ community.
- Convention and digital content (work in conjunction with the WBCA Education Working Group).
- Support the growth of young women into coaching through the "So You Want To Be A Coach" program.
Social Justice Task Force
The mission of the Social Justice Task Force is to work to dismantle systemic and institutional racism and oppression within our communities through the action and the voices of women's basketball coaches, allies, and advocates of the game.
To achieve this mission the task force will focus on the following three areas:
- Hiring practices.
- Training and education.
- Advocacy and awareness.
With the start of the season beginning, many have asked the WBCA what other teams and conferences are doing during the national anthem and forms of support for social justice during games and throughout the season. Click the line below to view what others are doing for ideas.
What are teams, institutions and conferences doing to participate in civic engagement this season?
Releases & Statements
Download the WBCA Social Justice video
A template of the WBCA Social Justice video has been created for programs, institutions, and teams to download and customize for themselves. The original WBCA version and the customized version can be used for in-game or pre-game promotions, social media, broadcasts and streams, and on other digital platforms. To download the Adobe Premiere file and the assets click here.
- WBCA, NABC Endorse ADU Collegiate Coaching Diversity Pledge (Oct. 27, 2020)
- An Open Letter to our WBCA Family and the Women's Basketball Community on Race and Social Justice (Aug. 31, 2020)
- WBCA joins NABC in supporting West Coast Conference’s ‘Russell Rule;’ announces members of Social Justice Task Force (Aug. 12, 2020)
- WBCA reaffirms fight against racism by forming social justice task force, presenting panel of prominent figures in women’s basketball discussing race relations (June, 9, 2020)
- WBCA Executive Committee, Executive Director statement regarding racism (May 31, 2020)
Share Your Story
The WBCA will use our digital media platforms to share stories, highlights and accomplishments of black and brown student-athletes, professional players, and coaches. Whether your story is about overcoming and being "the first," finding your own voice, or having worked in your community to advocate for diversity and inclusion and social justice, we want to hear it. The association will utilize the WBCA's blog, and by extension social media, to amplify your voice and your story. Your story can be as short or as long as you desire. To submit your story, videos, photos, screenshots, logos, etc., click the button below and follow the WBCA on social media to see when your story is shared.
WBCA/Wilson Opportunity Scholarship
The WBCA and Wilson Sporting Goods have teamed up to offer the WBCA/Wilson Opportunity Scholarship. This scholarship was created to financially assist members identifying as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) with registration fees for WBCA ASPIRE – a virtual event created in lieu of the 2021 WBCA Convention. A total of 66 applicants (53 WBCA members from the high school division and 13 WBCA members from the collegiate divisions) will be awarded scholarships. Each scholarship is valued at $150 (the cost of one registration to ASPIRE). Recipients of this year's scholarships were announced on March 2, 2021. Click here for the list of recipients.
Programming, Education and Initiatives
(updated periodically)
RISE Civic Engagement Definition: Acting to address issues of public concern by developing the combination of knowledge, skills, and values to make a difference.
WBCA Coaching Library: Diversity & Inclusion topic
"A Time For Action"
Moderator: Moderated by Cleveland Cavaliers sideline reporter Angel Gray
Featuring: Geno Auriemma (head coach, UConn), Muffet McGraw (retired head coach, Notre Dame), Carolyn Peck (sportscaster, ESPN and SEC Network), and Dawn Staley (head coach, South Carolina).
Info: Nationally recognized coaches discuss contemporary race relations and how to take action and make an active change in your communities. Click here to view the recording.
"Breaking Barriers"
Moderator: LaChina Robinson, ESPN sports analyst
Featuring: Niele Ivey (head coach, Notre Dame) and Kenny Brooks (head coach, Virginia Tech)
Info: Brought to you by the WBCA Social Justice Task Force, Robinson sits down with Ivey and Brooks to talk about their coaching careers and being the first black head coaches at their respective institutions. Click here to view the recording.
#WBCAPodcast: Growing Our Game, Episode 20
"Coaches Creating Change: The Mississippi State Flag"
Nikki McCray-Penson (Mississippi State) and Yolett McPhee-McCuin (Mississippi) join the podcast to talk about their activism to get the Mississippi state flag changed. McCray-Penson is entering her first year with the Bulldogs after a successful three-year stint at Old Dominion. McPhee-McCuin is a 16-year coaching veteran and is entering her third season at Ole Miss. Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Resources for Coaches by Coaches
(updated periodically)
We have seen many good resources shared between coaches on social media. In an effort to gather those resources into one place for easy access, we have created a link to upload such resources (articles, lists of books, videos, podcasts, etc.) All resources can be accessed in the folder below. We will take some of the submissions and feature them here.
Click here to upload a resource.
Highlighted resources:
- Juneteeth.
- RISE Digital Learning Series: a web-based interactive experience that equips students, athletes, coaches and fans with tools to be culturally competent and advocate for racial equity.
- RISE Road to Progress Timeline: chronicles the history of sports and social justice and the important role athletes have played in advancing civil rights throughout history.
- Systemic Racism Explained.
- Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man.
- Voting & Civic Engagement Page
- White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack.
Books | Podcasts | Films | TV Shows |
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Click here to access all resources submitted by coaches for coaches.
If you have any questions, comments or are interested in becoming involved, email membership@wbca.org.