Athletes’ Voices Introduces Inaugural Cohort Of Student Fellows
Newly created Fellows Program designed to develop future leaders of social change
San Jose, CA – January 17, 2022 – In celebration of the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr., and his advocacy for equity, activism and social change, the Athletes’ Voices Advisory Council is pleased to announce the inaugural class of Athletes’ Voices Student Fellows. Designed to enhance the learning and momentum for future leaders in social impact, the highly motivated college and university students were selected from an impressive pool of applicants. The Fellows will work closely with the elite athletes enrolled in the Spring 2022 Athletes’ Voices Educational Certificate Program, strategists, business executives, academic thought leaders and philanthropists, guiding athletes through the process of developing their playbook for social impact and cultivating their unique voice bringing visibility to their philanthropic focus.
The 20 undergraduate and graduate students selected for the Spring 2022 semester hail from 11 universities including seven Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Representing 12 different states and three countries, 15 are student-athletes, and three are currently pursuing graduate degrees.
“It was incredibly exciting to see the tremendous interest in the program and to review applications from so many talented students,” said Joanne Pasternack, Founder, Athletes’ Voices. “The twenty admitted students impressed us with the courage they have already demonstrated by using their voices to support social causes and their commitment to philanthropy. We are grateful that Athletes’ Voices will become part of their journey as they rise to become the next generation of community leaders.”
The Fellows meet online weekly, from January 2022 through May 2022, to study the historical and modern influence of sports and athlete activists in issues related to social justice, social impact and charitable causes. The curriculum will be led by scholars, activists, business leaders and philanthropists in partnership with Athletes’ Voices, through virtual presentations and discussions. Partners Blackbaud - the world's leading cloud software company powering social good - and LinkedIn - the world’s largest professional network - will provide training for the Fellows on philanthropic revenue generation, social media and communications strategy, storytelling, and resume and career development.
Additionally, the Fellows will serve an integral role in the success of the Spring 2022 cohort of professional athletes enrolled in the Athletes’ Voices Educational Certificate, designed to offer practical and personalized strategies for social change for elite athletes. The semester will culminate with a “Gallery of Voices,” providing a forum for Fellows to present a project on a topic of choice related to amplification of social impact. In consideration of their commitment, students will receive course credit or a stipend along with training from Athletes’ Voices partners, including Blackbaud, LinkedIn, and more.
For more information, visit athletesvoices.org.
Athletes’ Voices Welcomes the Following Students to the Fellowship Program for Spring 2022:
Athletes’ Voices Student Fellow Program Leadership
Sophia Robb - Co-Chair Harvard University
Maddie Roman - Co-Chair Cal Poly - San Luis Obispo
Hayden Deffarges - Strategist Brown University
Sydni Scott - Strategist Columbia University
Erin Shafer - Strategist Brown University
Spring 2022 Athletes’ Voices Student Fellows
Adam Gottner Arizona State University
Cedar Davidson Lincoln University
Destney Johnson Grambling State University
Diamond Lester Central State University
Elijah Brown Albany State University
Jalen Livingston Grambling State University
Kierra Washington Albany State University
Kyra Shuler Claflin University
Lauren Scott Claflin University
Mariah Smith Grambling State University
Matthew Steil University of South Carolina
Mimi Shaheer Grambling State University
Nazirah Purnell Lincoln University
Ndumiso Shongwe Grambling State University
Noah Gunter Elizabeth City State University
RayShawn Meiser Allen University
Reagan Higgins Grambling State University
Rebecca Childress Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, Arizona State
Ricky Finkel Wesleyan University
Taylor Nunley Grambling State University
Academic advisors include professors from Arizona State, Brown, Central Florida, Columbia, Dartmouth, Harvard, and San Jose State Universities and The Doug Williams Center at Grambling State and affiliated Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
For more information on the Fellowship Program, please contact media@athletesvoices.org
About Athletes’ Voices
Athletes’ Voices is a comprehensive, multi-dimensional program for elite athletes seeking to enact social change by leveraging their public platforms. We offer content sessions, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities relevant to an athlete’s philanthropic passion. Athletes also receive personalized playbooks with strategies to support their charitable work. Academic partners include: Arizona State, Brown, Central Florida, Columbia, Dartmouth, Harvard, and San Jose State Universities and The Doug Williams Center at Grambling State and affiliated Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Athletes’ Voices is politically agnostic and cause agnostic.
