This episode of the Demystifying Diversity Podcast follows host Daralyse Lyons as she explores issues concerning representation in sports. In her interviews with current and former athletes, coaches and sports industry executives, she is able to highlight the ways in which the sports world can marginalize, or “other,” its participants and stakeholders, despite holding such a prominent place in our society.

In this episode, you will learn about:

• The importance of representation, diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in athletics.

• The potential burden and scrutiny that can result from being the first person of a marginalized identity group to enter into an academic or athletic arena.

• The double-bind faced by many trans athletes as they move and perform within their sport, and the ways in which the external challenges they face shape their identity and self-conception as they navigate their gender identity.

• The power of sports teams to be a voice for change and to eradicate (or perpetuate) discrimination within our society.

• The pressures that members of minority groups face to conform or modify how they express themselves and their identities in order to “fit in” to the predominantly white-run space that is the sports industry.

• How sports come from a white nationalist origin, and the far-reaching impact this still has today.

Our guests in this episode include:

Jordan Keesler - a graduate student at Georgia State University whose exploration of the complex relationships between sports policies and identity, with a specific focus on gender, race, and culture illuminate systemic and structural inequities within sports. Their thesis, tentatively titled “Put Me in Coach: The Phenomenology of Trans Masculine NCAA Athlete's Gender,” examines the simultaneous visibility and invisibility of trans folks in athletics. Jordan's insights about this important subject extend beyond their research and are informed by their experiences as a trans athlete who, in college, was affirmed on their cross country team and subjected to active aggression on that same college's softball team.

Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir - a Black Muslim basketball player, who has become a national and international icon, recognized as the first Muslim woman in NCAA history to play covered. The innovator behind the campaign Muslim Girls Hoop Too, Bilquis has devoted her career to encouraging Muslim girls to play sports and openly express their faith. A passionate athlete from her earliest memories, Bilquis scored 3,070 points over her high school career, setting the all-time scoring record for the entire state of Massachusetts then went on to attend the University of Memphis and later Indiana State University where, in addition to her on-the-court achievements, she was a Dean's List student.

Natalie Fahey - A lifelong athlete who transitioned during her time as a Division 1 Swimmer at University of Southern Illinois-Carbondale. Natalie is now a voice and advocate for the representation and rights of trans athletes across collegiate and amateur athletics.

Carla Torosian - An award-winning powerlifter and member of the Blackfeet tribe, Carla is an advocate for both Indigenous athletes and athletes of color. She draws from her experiences in becoming a competitive athlete while growing up on the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana, and facing scrutiny and discrimination for everything from her socioeconomic upbringing to her appearance.

Danielle Evans - Danielle is both a rugby player and holds the title as Miss Brighton 2021. She is the founder and creator of the viral Try Me campaign aimed at empowering people to push past the negative stereotypes to success.

Mickey Grace - Mickey started her football journey as an All-City Defensive End at Germantown High school in Philadelphia, PA. She then went on to play Division 1 Women's Rugby at West Chester University. Since making the transition from player to coach, she has served as the acting head coach of Women's Football Alliance Philadelphia team, the Philly Phantomz and still holds a seat on the board. In the off season, Coach Mickey trains numerous elite athletes including 7 Super Bowl champions. She spent 5 years as the Defensive Line and Assistant Coach at Mastery Charter North Football Program, interned for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and acted as a Scouting Apprentice for the LA Rams. Currently Mickey Grace is the Defensive Assistant for Dartmouth College.

Zack James - One of the partners of The Demystifying Diversity Podcast. Prior to forming Rebel Hill Consulting where he serves as CEO, Zack was a twelve-year veteran of the Sports & Entertainment industry. After graduating from Temple University's School of Sport, Tourism & Hospitality Management, Zack rose up the ranks from a Ticket Sales Representative to a Premium All-Access Manager with the Brooklyn Nets franchise. And, still today, he produces a variety of content and shows featuring former and current professional athletes.

Trevor Baptiste - Trevor is a Haitian-American professional lacrosse player and face-off specialist who plays for both the Premier Lacrosse League and the National Lacrosse League. Growing up in a predominantly white community and playing a predominantly white sport, Trevor offers unique experiences in what it means to not only be a minority in his sport of choice, but also in what it means to allow his play on the field to define him, and not his appearance. He offers perspective on how sport can be used to combat racism and other isms.

Jeffrey Montague - Jeffrey is the former Associate Vice Dean of Temple University's School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management (STHM), and current Director of STHM's Alumni Engagement. Jeffrey is also the founder of MontagueMade Consulting, a company that supports and sustains Brand Management, Strategic & Innovative planning in the area of Hospitality and Sport, Curriculum Development, and Diversity of Thought through group and individual intervention. Jeffrey is also a partner of Real Property Capital United Advisors, a group of investors focusing on property development and investment in Hotel Development, and Public & Private Capitalization.

Bo-Dean Sanders - Bo-Dean is the author of Race Against, Against Race: My Journey of Diversity and Inclusion Through Sports, was raised in the shadow of segregation. He grew up in a predominately Black neighborhood, played sports on entirely Black teams with Black coaches and attended majority Black schools all the way until Cheyney University, until he was recruited to play football at Villanova.

Ric Beardsley - four-time All-American defenseman and lifelong lacrosse player-turned-coach, Ric is an advocate for the game of lacrosse and is a proponent of creating opportunities for the game to be played and enjoyed by disadvantaged youth.

Click here for a full transcript of this episode.