From NYU Athletics

The third annual Diversity and Inclusion Social Media Campaign, presented by the NCAA Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee and NCAA national Student-Athlete Advisory Committees (SAAC), is underway. 

The three-day campaign (October 27-29), is a prime opportunity for student-athletes, administrators, coaches, and fans across the country to use their platform within the intercollegiate athletics community to create a dialogue surrounding diversity, equity and inclusion and to communicate the need and importance of developing inclusive environments.

"Although the past several months have and continue to test our students, our staff and our community, our student-athletes continue to keep their eyes on the social justice issues that will continue to shape our present and our future," explained Stuart Robinson, NYU's Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Director of Athletics. "I am extremely proud of our students and our staff for seizing the opportunity to use their platform as a member of the athletic family to speak out and to show their support for diversity, equity and inclusion. While it would be easy to retreat inward and worry only about themselves as individuals, our students and staff recognize the power of unity to combat an important issue like this to make sure that everyone is counted and has a voice. That is the beauty of being a Violet!"

The first day's topic, "My Story Matters", focuses on student-athletes' stories and experiences that represent who they are as an individual. The purpose of this day is for students to showcase how they are more than just an athlete and to show that their stories can make a difference. What makes their story matter? How do they strive to show who they are more than just an athlete? What power do they find in their individual stories, particularly when it comes to diversity and inclusion? 

"I am not sure if this moment has reached an inflection point level where current decision-makers are willing to support the transformative and sustainable changes needed so that college sports, university athletic departments and conference offices can become more diverse, more inclusive and more equitable," said Curtis Spence, NYU Assistant Athletics Director and the Department's Diversity and Inclusion Designee. "I do know that NYU's Athletic Department, in collaboration with other university-wide diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, is taking advantage of this 'moment and movement' to have difficult conversations, design new outreach efforts, and ask meaningful questions about systemic issues."

Today's theme video was produced by NYU senior women's basketball player Janean Cuffee.

"'My Story Matters' is important to me because it shines a light on the many different stories of people at our university," Cuffee explained. "NYU is just a microcosm of the United States and the world. Regardless of the different stories, they are all important and all matter."