The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Athletics Launches Blazers Allies: Dedicated to Diversity
7/28/2020 10:49:00 AM | General
BIRMINGHAM – Director of Athletics Mark Ingram and the UAB Department of Athletics have launched Blazer Allies, a detailed program devised to listen, educate, act and provide a platform which allows sports to be a catalyst for change and empowerment regarding diversity and inclusion.
Blazer Allies serves as a support arm of the UAB Department of Athletics and is charged with listening, aiding, educating and developing strategic action on areas of diversity, inclusion, social justices, gender equity, LGBTQIA+, disabilities and social economic status. Blazer Allies is comprised of the entire department, student-athletes, coaches and administrators, along with university and community partners.
"We are fully committed to diversity and inclusion and will continue to take a stand against racial injustice," Ingram said. "We remain dedicated to amplifying athlete and staff voices in response to systematic racial injustices in our country, and are continuing to take steps within our department to embrace the cultural differences among our student-athletes and staff."
The UAB Department of Athletics and its student-athletes have had several dialogues about race and inequality in light of recent events surrounding Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, and Breonna Taylor, among others. Blazer Allies is a platform for UAB Athletics to continue to create a culture of inclusive excellence.
Blazer Allies has implemented Student-Athletes and Administrators with Voices, a social media platform designed for all to reflect and support the social movement through their own voices. Blazer Allies will continue with WE not ME dialogues within the department and partner with entities within the industry and local community.
Katreshia Louis-Verrett, UAB's Senior Associate Athletic Director, will serve as the new Chief Diversity Officer and spearhead Blazer Allies.
"I am honored to serve and continue to work with the amazing committee members and department to lead these efforts," Louis-Verrett said. "This is important and requires tough conversations, yet these are discussions that must be ongoing within intercollegiate athletics and the university landscape."
Along with continued dialogue and a social media presence, Blazer Allies will also provide student-athletes, coaches and staff with educational programs and resources, including guest speakers, virtual and in-person trips to study history, as well as other initiatives throughout the academic year.
For more information on Blazer Allies and UAB Athletics, be sure to follow @UAB_Athletics on Twitter and Instagram.
Blazer Allies serves as a support arm of the UAB Department of Athletics and is charged with listening, aiding, educating and developing strategic action on areas of diversity, inclusion, social justices, gender equity, LGBTQIA+, disabilities and social economic status. Blazer Allies is comprised of the entire department, student-athletes, coaches and administrators, along with university and community partners.
"We are fully committed to diversity and inclusion and will continue to take a stand against racial injustice," Ingram said. "We remain dedicated to amplifying athlete and staff voices in response to systematic racial injustices in our country, and are continuing to take steps within our department to embrace the cultural differences among our student-athletes and staff."
The UAB Department of Athletics and its student-athletes have had several dialogues about race and inequality in light of recent events surrounding Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, and Breonna Taylor, among others. Blazer Allies is a platform for UAB Athletics to continue to create a culture of inclusive excellence.
Blazer Allies has implemented Student-Athletes and Administrators with Voices, a social media platform designed for all to reflect and support the social movement through their own voices. Blazer Allies will continue with WE not ME dialogues within the department and partner with entities within the industry and local community.
Katreshia Louis-Verrett, UAB's Senior Associate Athletic Director, will serve as the new Chief Diversity Officer and spearhead Blazer Allies.
"I am honored to serve and continue to work with the amazing committee members and department to lead these efforts," Louis-Verrett said. "This is important and requires tough conversations, yet these are discussions that must be ongoing within intercollegiate athletics and the university landscape."
Along with continued dialogue and a social media presence, Blazer Allies will also provide student-athletes, coaches and staff with educational programs and resources, including guest speakers, virtual and in-person trips to study history, as well as other initiatives throughout the academic year.
For more information on Blazer Allies and UAB Athletics, be sure to follow @UAB_Athletics on Twitter and Instagram.
UAB Baseball | The Quick Cut: at Alabama
Thursday, April 23
UAB Beach Volleyball | The Quick Cut: Blazer Beach Bash
Saturday, April 18
UAB Softball | The Quick Cut: Memphis Series
Thursday, April 09
UAB vs ECU Post Game Press Conference
Sunday, March 08
