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Play Equity | Access to Physical Education and Youth Sports: A Social Justice Issue

Athletes' Voices | Pitch for Change Speaker Series | 2020 - 2021 | EPISODE SEVEN (Webcast)

THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 2021 | 5:00 PM ET - 6:30 PM ET (2:00 PM PT - 3:30 PM PT)

PLAY EQUITY | Access to Physical Education and Youth Sports: A Social Justice Issue

“Participating in youth sports can positively affect feelings of enjoyment; influence perceived competence, confidence, and self-esteem; and provide an avenue for the development of social skills, teamwork, leadership, and life skills” (National Youth Sports Strategy - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 19 September 2019).

In communities and populations where there is a lack of access, the impact is striking. Never has the need been greater than it is right now. In a post-COVID world, the divide between youth with and without access to resources has increased, the prevalence of social-emotional challenges is staggering and all-encompassing and the rate of obesity is continuing to skyrocket.

A provocative and action-oriented conversation, featuring athletes and practitioners who are on the front lines of this important topic:

  • Marsha Blount | Women's American Basketball Association (WABA) (Chief Executive Officer), first female African-American owner of a men's professional basketball team (2005) - Newark Express (Jersey Express) of the historic American Basketball Association (ABA), former coach of the Lady Diamonds - a precursor to the WNBA, one of three captains of the Mount Vernon High School girls basketball team that won the first New York State Girls Public School Championship while going undefeated at 25-0 - she was the team MVP and her jersey was later retired.

  • Renata Simril | LA84 Foundation (President + CEO). Past roles include: SVP for the Los Angeles Times, SVP of External Affairs for the Los Angeles Dodgers, overseeing the restoration of the Dodgers brand and the Dodgers Foundation; Deputy Mayor for Economic Development and Housing, Military Police Officer in the U.S. and Germany with the United States Army. Serves on the Boards of United Way, Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment Commission, Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, LA 2028 Olympic Bid Committee, Loyola Marymount University; awards and accolades include: Orange County Register (50 Most Powerful in Southern California Sports), Los Angeles Business Journal (The Los Angeles 500 Most Influential People), CSQ Magazine (Visionary in Sports and Entertainment), Women in Sports and Events (WiSE) (Women of Inspiration Award - 2016).

With this seventh installment of our Pitch for Change Speaker Series, Athletes' Voices continues to inspire impact and amplify athletes' voices as influencers around a wide range of topics, including the role sports plays in motivating young scholars.

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March 18

THE RETURN TO SCHOOL | Well-Being, Academics and the Role of Sports in Social-Emotional Re-Adjustment post-COVID

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May 12

Gun Violence | Awareness + Promoting Change Through Sports