Canadian Women & Sport and She’s4Sports to highlight the experiences and voices of BIPOC leaders
The digital series We Are Sport features conversations on race, inclusion and mental health in sport.
Following the She Leads By Sport digital series, Canadian Women & Sport and She’s4Sports are collaborating again on a new series, We Are Sport: Conversations with leaders from the BIPOC sport community. The initiative from Ainka Jess, founder of She’s4Sports, will address race, inclusion, LGBTQI2S+ advocacy, leadership, and mental health, highlighting the perspectives of sport leaders who identify as Black, Indigenous, and people of colour.
The We Are Sport series features interviews and panel discussions hosted on Wednesdays (July to September) on Instagram Live and Zoom.
The series kicks off on Instagram Live on the @shes4sports IG account on July 15 with Katie Barnes, award-winning journalist who covers LGBTQ issues and women’s sports for ESPN and then with Krystina Algobo, Team Canada, Water Polo, World Champion, along with Mary Spencer Olympian, Boxing on July 22.
Canadian Women & Sport will also host Zoom panel discussions on July 29, August 26 and September 23, to further the conversation with athletes and leaders from the LGBTQI2S+ BIPOC sports community.
Guests featured in the series will include:
- Kim Davis, Executive Vice President, Social Impact, Growth Initiatives & Legislative Affairs
- Katie Barns, Awarding-winning, ESPN Journalist and Writer
- Krystina Alogbo, Team Canada, World Champion, Water Polo
- Kendall Tyson, Vice President, Strategy & Analytics, NHL Seattle
- Mary Spencer, Olympian, Boxing
- Renee Hess, Founder, Black Girls Hockey Club
- Jessica Camara, Canadian Pro Boxer
“There are voices in the sports media landscape that have been silenced or erased and I want this series to illuminate those voices and their contribution to sport. Inclusion, gender equity and representation are critical issues that must be addressed to ensure those from the BIPOC sports community have an equal playing field to fully participate and contribute to sport at any level,” said Ainka Jess, Founder, She’s4Sports.
“This series is an important opportunity to continue conversations around what equity looks like in sport, ensuring that the expertise of Black and Indigenous leaders and leaders of colour is at the forefront.” said Allison Sandmeyer-Graves, CEO, Canadian Women & Sport. “This should be a priority in the Canadian sport sector and we’re excited to play a role in championing these perspectives.”
We Are Sport is the latest content program for Canadian Women & Sport following its Get in the Game online panel discussion last month, where athletes like Sarah Nurse and Rosie MacLennan talked about their experiences and how to better support girls to keep playing.
About She’s4Sports
She’s4Sports is a Toronto-based organization that mobilizes women through digital platforms and events to have a larger voice in sports. The network represents a community of over 4,500 passionate women and men who celebrate the contributions of women in sports and address issues including gender diversity, equity and inclusion in sport.
Contacts
Canadian Women & Sport
Alex Grey
Senior Manager, Marketing & Communications
She’s4Sports
Ainka Jess, Founder