TOWSON, Md. – Towson University student-athletes and staff took part in the Black Student-Athlete Summit 2021 to advance discussion about serious and important issues in this time.
 
Three Towson student-athletes, Asia Goins from volleyball, Jordan Hayes from men's lacrosse and LaKaitlin Wright from women's basketball, as well as two staff members, Antwaine Smith, senior assistant AD for the Total Tiger Program, and Bria Bennett, community partners coordinator, took part in the virtual summit from Jan. 6-8.
 
This was the eighth annual Black Student-Athlete Summit, hosted by the University of Texas.  This year's summit was all virtual, allowing people from across the country to take part.
 
"My excitement for the summit with ABIS would come from the first summit I attended virtually with them during the fall," said Goins. "In this summit, they were able to get great speakers and other college athletes who shared their stories to help those who maybe feel they are alone."
 
The most important thing was that I got to see world famous athletes step away what they're known for, like god given ability and talent, and be able to talk as a normal," said Hayes. "Ryan Clark and Candice Parker were big on saying that sports come to an end one day, but you're always a black man or woman. They communicated that it's important to remember at the end of the day you're more than an athlete and still a human being."
 
"The Black Student-Athlete Summit was an incredible opportunity for our student-athletes to continue to grow and develop as leaders," said Smith.  "In keeping with our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice, I am glad that we could facilitate this empowering opportunity for our student-athletes."
 
Topics of the summit ranged from the current political landscape in the era of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, the COVID-19 pandemic and much more.  The mission statement of the summit includes offering the opportunity to share knowledge, scholarship, and expertise, which will advance the critical discussion around these very important issues.
 
For highlights from the summit, check out @BSASummit on Twitter and https://diversity.utexas.edu/blackstudentathletesummit/.