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The Origins of Change | The Role of Sports in Breaking Down Barriers, Creating Movements + Leaving a Legacy

INAUGURAL WEBCAST | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2020 | 5PM ET - 6:30PM ET

The Origins of Change | The Role of Sports in Breaking Down Barriers, Creating Movements + Leaving a Legacy

Featuring:

  • Sven Beckert (Harvard University, Weatherhead Initiative on Global History)

  • Pau Gasol (NBA Legend + Gasol Foundation + UNICEF Ambassador)

  • Donald E. Lassere (President + CEO, Muhammad Ali Center)

  • Caryl Stern (CEO, The Walton Family Foundation + Former CEO, UNICEF USA)

  • Torrey Smith (NFL Legend + Philanthropist)

Moses Fleetwood Walker. Paul Robeson. Gertrude Ederle. Muhammed Ali. Althea Gibson. Katherine Switzer. The Syracuse 8. Billie Jean King. Jim Brown. Loretta Claiborne. Chris Ernst, Yale University + Title IX. Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf. Tim Thomas. Melissa Stockwell. Carlos Delgado. Miami Heat (3.12.2012). LeBron James. Eric Reid. Colin Kaepernick.

Athletes + Activism. The two have been connected since the earliest sporting events - long before Moses Fleetwood Walker took the field on May 1, 1884 in Toledo, Ohio as the first African-American Major League baseball player. But never before has the presence of athlete activism been as prevalent nor as pervasive as it is today.

The Athletes' Voices | Pitch for Change Speaker Series will examine the historical roots and modern manifestation of athletes speaking up and speaking out about issues of importance. Topics covered will include: voting, mental health, play equity, incarceration, diversity and inclusion, educational persistence, sustainability, and more. Join us as Athletes' Voices takes you to the 50 yard line where athletes, business leaders, philanthropists and academics will share insiders' perspectives on today's climate for social impact and influence through sports.

Register today for the first session on Thursday October 1, 2020 from 5pm - 6:30pm ET / 2pm - 3:30pm PT and to stay informed about upcoming conversations. Webcast link to be provided prior to meeting. The program will also be simulcast on Sports on Facebook.

Most conversations will be hosted on the first Thursday of each month between October 2020 and May 2021. All will be offered FREE to the general public in an effort to increase awareness and access to the topics and the thought leaders.

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October 22

ATHLETES + VOTER ENGAGEMENT | Voting + Political Activism + Involvement