Daris Steen’s Post

Need to read and absorb this.

Caitlin Clark's Success Highlights Racial Disparities in Women's Basketball It’s sad that it took Caitlin Clark, a white woman, for the public to become interested in women’s basketball. The sport has had hundreds of Black women who are better players than her, but she gets all the endorsements and publicity. In 2024, it's disappointing to see these disparities persist. Women’s sports in general have historically been undercovered and underpromoted compared to men’s sports, regardless of the race of the athletes involved. However, there is a valid criticism that Clark, as a white woman, has been able to capitalize on endorsement opportunities and media attention in a way that many excellent Black players before her could not. Even in 2023, research showed Black WNBA award winners received only half the coverage as white athletes. Clark's success has brought unprecedented levels of viewership, media coverage, and revenue to women’s college basketball as a whole. This increased spotlight could benefit all players, including Black athletes, but the lack of media coverage for Black women athletes is a systemic issue that goes beyond just Clark. The rise of players like Clark capitalizing on NIL rules is still a very new phenomenon, and it remains to be seen if increased exposure through stars like her can help address long-standing inequities in media coverage and marketing opportunities for Black women athletes. It’s hard being Black in the United States. It takes ten times the effort to excel, to stand out, and to be accepted, and this is not going to change anytime soon. Black players like Angel Reese and Flau'jae Johnson actually rank ahead of Clark in projected NIL valuations for women’s basketball, yet their stories don't receive the same level of attention. While Clark has been very successful with NIL deals, these disparities highlight the ongoing challenges faced by Black athletes. In summary, while Clark’s success has elevated the sport, it underscores the racial disparities that persist. The struggle for equality in recognition and opportunity in women’s basketball, and beyond, continues. #WomenInSports #RacialDisparities #EqualityInSports #CaitlinClark #BlackAthletes #NILDeals

This is excellent. And so, so, so true. White women see the world through a different lens and navigate the world radically differently than Black women. Largely, they have the privilege of operating from a place of safety and trust and protection. Not so for Black women, who are far too often and in far too many places seen as “too.” Too loud. Too aggressive. Too hard to work with. Too this. Too that. Really, it’s just too Black. This erodes any sense of societal safety that Black women need in order to answer Brene’s calls for vulnerability, courage, and transparency - especially in the workplace. We can’t. But since white women can, my ask is that whenever you can, wherever you can, however you can, lean into vulnerability and courage — for Black women.

🌟 Day 14 of the Sports Challenge: Highlight an organization driving change in women’s sports. One organization making incredible strides in women’s sports is Diverse Representation found on Instagram at @DiverseRepresentation. This organization is dedicated to increasing the visibility and representation of Black professionals in sports, entertainment, and law. Their work includes everything from amplifying voices to offering resources and opportunities for Black individuals in these industries. One of their standout initiatives is National Black Women in Sports Day, celebrated on July 7th. This day was created to recognize and honor the contributions of Black women in sports, from athletes and coaches to executives and agents. By shining a spotlight on these women, Diverse Representation is not only celebrating their achievements but also creating a platform for future generations to thrive in the industry. Organizations like Diverse Representation are paving the way for a more inclusive and diverse sports world, ensuring that Black professionals & black women specifically are seen, heard, and empowered. #LinkedInSportsChallenge #DiverseRepresentation #WomenInSports #NationalBlackWomenInSportsDay #TheAthleteEntreprenuerFoundation

🌟 Happy Black Women in Sports Day! 🌟 Today, we celebrate the incredible contributions of Black women in the world of sports. From athletes and coaches to entrepreneurs and innovators, Black women are making significant strides and breaking barriers every day. As a proud co-founder of ExSATA, sports tech agency, alongside my sister Mikekena B. Richardson I'm thrilled to share our journey in the sports tech industry. We’ve developed a patent-pending software that analyzes athletes from video footage, revolutionizing how performance is evaluated and improving athlete-to-organization matching methodologies. Learn more about our invention [here](https://lnkd.in/edyeaWfh). Did you know that only about less than .02% of U.S. patents are held by Black women? Yet, despite these odds, we continue to push forward and innovate. Moreover, Black women own just 1% of all sports businesses in the U.S., making our presence and contributions even more significant. Let's continue to support and uplift each other, celebrating the achievements of Black women in sports. Together, we can inspire the next generation of leaders, innovators, and champions. #BlackWomenInSports #WomenInTech #SportsTech #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #BlackExcellence #WomenWhoLead

### Honoring the Black Women of the US Federal Workforce Black women represent an impressive 11% of the US Federal Government workforce, bringing unparalleled strength, resilience, and insight to their roles. Studies show that organizations with diverse leadership are 45% more likely to report growth in market share, highlighting the crucial impact of their contributions. As Malcolm X profoundly stated, "The most disrespected person in America is the Black woman. The most unprotected person in America is the Black woman. The most neglected person in America is the Black woman." Yet, despite these challenges, Black women in the federal workforce continue to rise, excel, and lead by example. Give a shoutout to a Black Woman Federal Government employee who is inspiring and takin' care of business! I'll start... Let’s celebrate and honor their remarkable dedication and influence. 🌟 #BlackExcellence #Blackofficeunlocked #stayunlocked #FederalWorkforce #DiversityMatters

I absolutely love this article "Celebrating National Black Women in Sports" by Valerie Vining - Click here: https://lnkd.in/gwE6KCeE Hey, TEIANA JONES! I also love the three tips on how we can keep the momentum going: - #blackwomeninsports: Share your favorite Black sports moments or athletes on social media using this hashtag.  - Support the Cause: Organizations like Diverse Representation are working for more equity in sports. Consider getting involved!  - Learn & Be Inspired: Research the achievements of Black athletes, coaches, and leaders in sports. You’ll be amazed!

A powerful, enlightening, and important read

For over a decade, my marketing and branding journey was shaped mostly by the insights of industry's leading men who are more visible online. But today, I stumbled upon something eye-opening—a list by Tequia Burt featuring incredible Black women in marketing mostly in the USA. Black professionals in US represent just 7.2% of marketers and 5.2% of CMOs. I suppose we can expect the same trend elsewhere. This is a wake-up call for all of us to weave diversity into our core strategies to enrich the marketing world with inclusivity and innovation. Who's your inspiration? #Diversity #Marketing #ThoughtLeadership #PersonalBranding #womenempowerment

WE ALL can cultivate environments where black and brown talent can thrive. We have to first acknowledge how we consciously or subconsciously have been conditioned. We have a long way to go that requires significant progress by leadership. Want proof? Just look around your own senior leadership tables or boards. We can’t get complacent.