State of Our Union: Being Black in Sports

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https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86048446368

Meeting ID: 860 4844 6368

Our seasoned panelists will be holding nothing back as they dig deep into the challenges they have experienced in the industry. From discrimination to uplifting fellow Blacks in sports, our panelists will give insights on the skills and tools needed to navigate throughout the sports industry and touch on the hot topics driving the conversations affecting people of color in and around the sports world.

Panelists:

LaDondra Wilson is the Vice President of Social Responsibility at the WNBA’s Dallas Wings, inaugural Executive Director of the Dallas Wings Community Foundation and newest member of the BSPNTX Executive Board. At the Wings, Wilson leads the organization's community engagement efforts and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives as well as its social justice committee.

The Oak Cliff native serves the Board of Directors for Dallas Heroes, Educate Dallas, Rainbow Days and the Mayor's Star Council, where she is currently serving as President. She is on advisory boards for the University of North Texas Sport Entertainment Management and Texas A&M-Commerce Sport & Recreation Management programs and is active on the impact committee for Step Up, a nonprofit organization that focuses on mentorship to teen girls. A member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Wilson has received numerous recognitions, including being a 2021 recipient of the Dallas Business Journal 40 Under 40 Award.

Wilson earned her bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M-Commerce and master’s degree from Texas State University. She has also completed several certificates, including Leadership Southlake, George Washington University Executive Sports Philanthropy and University of South Florida Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace, and was a part of the inaugural class of Emerging Leaders in Philanthropy.

Vincent Pierson Sr. is Chief Executive Officer and Principal Strategist at VSP Diversity Solutions. Pierson is an award-winning change agent and diversity, equity and inclusion strategist with more than 10 years of experience who is passionate about using the power of sports to move society and open hearts, eyes and minds of both sides of any equation. His company currently supports clients in multiple industries including education, media, sports and technology.

With a strong belief in sport’s unique ability to transcend difference and unite people, Vince focuses on intentionally harnessing that energy to address certain ills in our culture that need genuine attention and understanding.

Pierson is the Founder of the Black Sport Business Academy, a nonprofit organization focused on enhancing the learning experience and career outcomes for HBCU students interested in sports. Prior to launching his own DEI impact consulting practice, he served in senior diversity and inclusion roles with Bloomberg LP and Minor League Baseball. Wilson also co-authored racial and gender report cards during his time with the Institute for Sport and Social Justice.

The proud new father of twins earned his bachelor’s degree from Virginia State University and two master’s degrees from the University of Central Florida.

Moderator:

Breon Dennis is Vice President, CommUNITY Development for Frisco RoughRiders Baseball Club, Executive Director, RoughRiders Foundation and BSPNTX Vice President. At the RoughRiders, Dennis manages the vision of the RoughRiders and serves as the organization’s primary community liaison for the RoughRiders brand at national, community and league-wide fundraising events and conferences.

The Shreveport, La., native spent more than 12 years with the Texas Rangers Baseball Club, including the last five-plus as Assistant Vice President for Community Outreach spearheading many community partnerships with organizations that include the annual Martin Luther King Celebration in Arlington, Tarrant County HARAMBEE Festival and Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities initiatives. In addition to his role with BSPNTX, Denis serves on boards for Dallas Influencers in Sports & Entertainment, Maker District DFW, Chef to the Shelters, Young Leadership Academy (YMLA) Fort Worth ISD, North Texas Food Bank, Plano Committee, United Negro College Fund Leadership Council, African American Museum of Dallas, North Richland Hills Police Foundation and Plano Wellness Center for Older Adults.

Mr. CommUNITY, as he is affectionately known, earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Dallas Baptist University.