I am a black woman. I don't think I have ever said that statement with as much pride as I have in the last few weeks. The events that have transpired for the past few months have been nothing short of heartbreaking. I have chosen to channel my sadness and grief into action. The desperate demand for change in our world has motivated me to do my part. I was able to orchestrate a peaceful protest in my hometown. While dealing with the emotional strain that the times have induced, I have been able to have a lot of difficult, needed conversations.

One of those conversations was on an elevated platform. I was able to talk with many student-athletes in our conference, the Colonial Athletic Association, about their experiences of racism within and outside of athletics. I was appalled to hear all the stories of racism experienced during college athletics. I was saddened by the impact that these experiences had on the students as well. The CAA listened to the stories and Commissioner Joey D'Antonio promised to make a change. As a black student-athlete, I have always been promised equality and safe spaces, but those promises have not always been upheld. Commissioner D'Antonio has upheld his promise. I am excited about his drive to uphold the honest and equal ways of the CAA. One of the many things that I look forward to seeing come into fruition is the reporting system for student-athletes when they experience any type of discrimination. This will be solely accessible to athletes without the fear of being looked at differently.  This reporting system is needed and wanted by many student-athletes in our conference.
 
Going into the fourth month of quarantine, I have had a lot of time to reflect.  I know that the small impact that I had on my hometown is not the end of my efforts for change. I have signed numerous petitions, attended many protests, and spoke up in many controversial moments. I am not done. I look forward to continuing the fight to equality in both athletics and our country. Being black in American should not be a death sentence. Being black in American should not constitute any discrimination. Being black in America should allow a person the same treatment and opportunity that everyone else has. 

 I am very pleased with all that the CAA and the Towson University community have done to enforce and influence change. I will continue to advocate for my black brothers and sisters in every conversion that I have. I will continue being the example for little girls and boys that look like me. I will continue fighting to ensure that the people of color that come after me have the opportunity to pursue their wildest dreams. I am the fulfillment of my forefathers' dreams. I hope and pray that those after me accomplish more than I could ever dream of.