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Playing With Purpose: A New Era of Civic Athlete Leadership
Their fellowship experience culminated in a multi-day summit from June 25-28 in Washington, D.C.. The summit began with a workshop at Emily's List, followed by a guided evening monument tour, including visits to the MLK, Lincoln, and Vietnam Memorials. The athletes engaged in meaningful dialogues on Capitol Hill with Senator Ron Wyden and staff members from Senator Cory Booker's office. Additionally, a lunch and panel hosted by Comcast/NBCUniversal provided professional insights into media and civic engagement. Fellows also participated in an intensive professional development session, connecting directly with industry leaders in sports, policy, media, and civic leadership.
The central event of their trip, a June 27 forum hosted by BGR Group, featured fellows presenting their projects alongside discussions with prominent civic and sports-sector leaders. This forum highlighted pressing themes such as navigating pressures in athletics, innovating for community impact, breaking barriers in leadership, and empowering athletes as civic catalysts.
Stanley Borden of Duke University presents his project at the Engaged Athlete Forum.Kristina Becvar
Community engagement emerged as a major theme among this year’s projects, particularly through free sports clinics and mentorship programs. Several athletes hosted free sports clinics, inspiring local youth by teaching teamwork, resilience, and essential life skills through structured athletic experiences. Other fellows implemented mentorship programs pairing college athletes with K-12 students to encourage academic success and civic responsibility. Cam Mannion from Stonehill College executed a community field day geared towards supporting children diagnosed with chronic illnesses and disabilities.
Civic education and voter participation were also featured prominently, with athletes leveraging their influence to boost civic involvement. Harvard’s Xavier Nesbitt and Georgetown’s Abbie Huey led interactive voter education initiatives, empowering younger generations by highlighting civic responsibilities and community engagement. Duke’s Stanley Borden facilitated symposiums of small groups from Duke’s community to hold conversations regarding controversial topics, facilitating civil discourse and holding space for different opinions.
Several fellows targeted immediate community needs through resource drives and local events. Howard University basketball teammates Cameron Shockley-Okeke and Mounir Hima organized athletic gear drives, collecting donations for communities in Niger. Sydney Humes from Florida A&M University raised awareness about domestic violence, organizing educational panels alongside food drives to support local shelters directly.
Mental health was another significant area of focus, reflecting a broader awareness among athletes about emotional wellness. Chris Clarke from Clark University held a regular mental health discussion group casually over smoothies to encourage vulnerability and openness about mental health struggles for students. Helena Eubanks from Virginia State University initiated a project emphasizing open dialogue around mental health among student-athletes and their communities, with a focus on supporting student-athletes and their path toward forging identities outside of their sports.
Collectively, these engaged athlete fellows have demonstrated the transformative potential of sports when paired with committed civic action. Their efforts are strengthening communities, bridging divides, and empowering future generations to continue this essential spirit of civic responsibility. In the coming months, The Fulcrum will continue to share the inspiring stories of these Engaged Athlete Fellows through in-depth interviews and profiles, offering readers a closer look at the remarkable individuals behind these impactful initiatives.
Kristina Becvar is co-publisher of The Fulcrum and executive director of the Bridge Alliance Education Fund.
