December 31, 2022
On behalf of our Black Sports Professionals North Texas Executive Board, I want to thank everyone for helping make 2022 the best year in our chapter's history!
The business of sports continues to have a major impact on our society and our culture we want to ensure we are included and contributing to the success and growth of our industry. Our mission has not changed as we continue to Connect, Empower, and Advance Black sports professionals representing all aspects of sports in and around North Texas.
I have to thank our dedicated and committed Executive Board and committee members who helped us achieve all of our goals in 2022 and have us set up for even more success in 2023.
Highlights from our past 12 months:
Mentorship Program: Vice President and Mr. CommUNITY Breon Dennis helped the chapter launch its first-ever mentor match program that connected mentors with mentees.
Finance: Vice President and Treasurer Greer Christian managed our largest budget in the chapter's history, making sure all of our financial affairs remainder in order.
Programs & Events: Programs & Events Committee chair Kelli Frazier put together a robust calendar of webinars, in-person events and social gatherings that exposed chapter members and supporters to nationally recognized speakers and sports industry leaders representing various levels of experience from across North Texas.
The chapter's 2022 programs and events highlights included five webinars, four Juneteenth-centric events and activities, three in-person events, three social gatherings and our first-ever professional development event exclusively for active chapter members.
Membership: The chapter reached one of its key goals for the year in August, boasting more than 100 active members for the first time since its formation. The chapter's recruitment efforts, led by Membership Committee chair Destiny Price, grew to set up processes to communicate and add value to our active members.
The chapter's student membership option continued to be a great success in drawing in the next generation of sports professionals. Getting back to hosting in-person events, especially the One on One with Dallas Mavericks General Manager Nico Harrison and Holiday + Sneakers Social, provided big boosts to retain and attract members.
Sponsorships: Led by the work of Sponsorship & Fundraising Committee chair Wesley Nakwaasah, the chapter announced three new partnerships to expand its sponsorship roster to five partners. These partners joined forces with the chapter to educate our members, provide access to job opportunities and support our scholarships program.
We want to thank our partners for their support of the chapter this year and we look forward to extending our relationship with them for years to come:
Scholarships: Under the leadership of Scholarship Committee chair Cherise Lee, the chapter raised $2,000 from 29 donors on North Texas Giving Day 2022. That support allowed the chapter to award $14,000 in scholarships during the 2022-23 academic year to nine students with North Texas ties.
In the first two years of its scholarships program, the chapter has awarded $24,500 to 16 college students striving to be among the next generation of sports professionals.
Marketing & Communications: Communications Committee chair Scottie Rodgers continued to lead the most comprehensive marketing and content strategy among the 20+ chapters in the BSP network. BSPNTX is the only chapter to have a detailed website (BSPNTX.com). The chapter's followers across all of its social media platforms grew significantly – Twitter (+87.8% ), Facebook (+27.7%), Instagram (+32.2%) and LinkedIn (+53.6%) – as the chapter's brand and engagement continue to expand locally and nationally.
Strategic Initiatives: Administration Committee chair LaDondra Wilson has worked with the Executive Board to develop an advisory board for the chapter. The format and composition of this advisory board will be announced in the early part of 2023.
Administration: Nyzhe Primas, the chapter's Secretary and lead over administrative operations, once again coordinated the Executive Board's monthly meeting calendar with timely agendas, minutes and committee reports. She helped coordinate the chapter's governing body to hold two in-person meetings at Globe Life Field and Frisco RoughRiders Stadium.
Community: From working behind the scenes for Opal Lee's Walk for Freedom to playing roles in recognizing teachers and educators to supporting the efforts of Minnie's Food Pantry and Resale Boutique, the chapter and chapter members remained active in the community all year long.
In recognition of the chapter's community efforts, five Executive Board members and one chapter member were recognized pregame and threw out first pitches at Frisco RoughRiders games.
While our chapter accomplished a lot in the past year, we still have a lot more to do in the year ahead. We welcome you to join a committee and help us continue our mission to serve and amplify Black sports professionals in North Texas.
In 2023, BSPNTX will be the place to be! Make sure to join us and help the chapter reach new heights. Happy New Year!
Larry Lundy
BSPNTX President