As part of their “HBCU & Divine 9 Night,” the Washington Mystics held a special pregame panel.
The discussion, titled “Power in the District,” featured seven HBCU and Divine Nine women leaders in sports at Sycamore & Oak last Thursday. The event attracted students, professors, Divine Nine members and sports fans from all over the DMV for an evening full of insights on how to navigate the white dominated field of sports.
The conversation began with panelists explaining why they chose an HBCU instead of a Power 5 school, “which are more encouraged for individuals who plan to pursue a career in sports,” according to moderator Jaycee Ruffin, who is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc and a graduate of Elizabeth City State University.
“I didn’t know that I was going to end up majoring in sports management and becoming this woman who’s in this position now, but a lot of that is thanks to the community that I had at my HBCU,” said Paige Price, a 2020 Hampton graduate and social media creator for the Washington Spirit.
“My professors took me under their wing, made sure that I was prepared and gave me all the tools that they thought that I would need to excel as a Black woman trying to get into a white-dominated field.”
This preparation and support from faculty at their alma maters has contributed to the professional development of the panelists as most of them are currently the first in their positions. One is Erin Blaine, who is the first senior fan experience manager for the Washington Mystics and curated the panel.
As a former Howard University athlete and 2017 graduate, Blaine, like most Howard students, constantly heard “your network is your net worth.”
This idea extends beyond Howard and into Bowie State University (BSU). Assistant Professor for sports management, Emerald Fulmore who has a doctorate in educational leadership, brought students from the BSU’s sports management program to attend the panel.
“It is very important for them to be in these spaces,” said Fulmore, a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. “These spaces help students get their foot in the door so they can help bring the rest of us up and help us progress.”
Ashleigh Hazley was the only panelist who didn’t attend an HBCU. However, Hazley is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and said she was the first “queer masculine-presenting” member to cross in Kentucky.
Facing the intersectionality of being Black, queer and a woman while working in baseball, a white-dominated field, Hazley credits her drive to work hard to her experience of being in a Divine Nine organization.
“My primary advisor wasn’t gonna let me put anything out if they didn’t have her stamp of approval. She was also our regional director, so if it didn’t look a certain kind of way, then we weren’t doing it,” said Hazley, senior director of youth programming for the Washington Nationals. “I think bringing that level of excellence in my place of work is a direct tie to remembering to cross those Ts and dot the I’s. That’s been something that’s been able to help me elevate throughout my career.”
After the session, students were given the chance to network during the tailgate mixer. There was food, drinks and music as attendees mingled, made connections and continued the conversations sparked by the panel. Panelists also made themselves available for attendees to speak with them and ask them questions.
“HBCU & Divine 9 Night” has been a Mystics game theme for three years now, with each year offering some form of arena activations and fan giveaways. However, this season marked the first time the event featured a panel.
This event not only celebrated members of HBCUs and the Divine Nine but also motivated them. The Mystics now join DC United, Washington Spirit and the Washington Nationals in increasing Black visibility in sports.
Copy edited by Daryl R. Thomas Jr.
