Assata Allah-Shabazz — Andscape https://andscape.com Andscape -- Sports, Race, Culture, HBCUs and More Fri, 19 Jul 2024 19:49:12 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.5 https://andscape.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/cropped-andscape-icon.png?w=32 Assata Allah-Shabazz — Andscape https://andscape.com 32 32 147425866 WNBA Changemaker Day a key tipoff to All-Star Weekend https://andscape.com/features/wnba-changemaker-day-a-key-tipoff-to-all-star-weekend/ Fri, 19 Jul 2024 19:49:11 +0000 https://andscape.com/?post_type=tu_feature&p=326367 PHOENIX – Kicking off WNBA All-Star Weekend, the WNBA launched its inaugural Changemaker Day in Phoenix on July 19. This day is dedicated to emphasizing the league’s commitment to using sports to empower underrepresented groups, and its dedication to fostering leadership and skills among young girls. The event was in collaboration with Arizona Cactus-Pine Girl Scouts Council, which includes Girl Scouts from grades 4-8 from across the state of Arizona.

The event theme was “If you can see it, you can be it.” Phoenix Mercury guards Sophie Cunningham and Charisma Osborne, Washington Mystics center Shakira Austin, volunteers, and partnering companies like AT&T, CarMax, Deloitte, Google, Nike and U.S. Bank assembled program boxes that consisted of life skills, STEM subjects, and outdoor pursuits to be distributed to approximately 5,000 youth throughout Arizona.

Teaching since the age of 12 in Sunday school and the eldest of her siblings, LaVisa Johnson knew from an early age that her career would be in teaching. But after leaving education, Johnson wanted to use the transferable skills from teaching and take them to program managing for Girl Scouts.

“It was really cool to be able to share with the changemakers making these equitable boxes to go out to people who might not have all the supplies to do our badges. And so, it means a lot to be able to give people who might not have the things that they need to complete their badges,” Johnson said.

From left to right: ESPN analyst Andraya Carter, former WNBA player Adrian Williams-Strong and Phoenix Mercury guard Charisma Osborne speak on a panel during WNBA Changemaker Day on July 18 at The Parsons Leadership Center for Girls and Women in Phoenix.

Norm Hall/NBAE via Getty Images

The Girl Scouts involved in this volunteer initiative were actively seeking to serve their community and an immersive learning experience. They took part in expo workshops aimed at earning the inaugural WNBA Changemaker patch and attended panel discussions where ESPN analyst Andraya Carter, former NBA player Adrian Williams-Strong, and Phoenix Mercury guard Charisma Osborne spoke on themes of empowerment both within and beyond sports.

Addison Cowan has been a Girl Scout for nine years and became a Cadette, earning over 20 Cadette badges and 30-plus badges from various community services and learning experiences. She aims always to uphold the Girl Scout Law, “promise to be honest and fair, friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, courageous and strong, and responsible.”

“I think it’s all these people here together specifically for the WNBA and watching people like the players come down. One of the players came down and started helping us pack the boxes. I think it was really fun to see that,” Cowan said.

As the event came to an end, Girls Scouts had the opportunity to listen to a message from WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert, who announced that after a successful day of packing 1,000 program boxes, 5,000 youth across Arizona would benefit from them.

“In this room, I see the next CEOs, head of C-Suites, government officials, presidents, and owners of sports teams,” Engelbert said.

In a day full of service and community, Johnson still recognizes that women’s sports are something not talked about enough and believes this first-ever WNBA Changemaker Day with the Arizona Cactus-Pine Girl Scouts can be the start of young girls becoming more fluent in sports.

“It’s definitely something that we would like to tap into,” Johnson said. “But seeing it, being able to have you guys here and really soak up all of the energy and the vibes, I think it’s something that we can definitely break into after this event.”

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326367 Madison Firle https://andscape.com/contributors/madison-firle/ Madison.Firle@espn.com
Student photographers bring HBCU Swingman Classic to life through their lenses https://andscape.com/features/student-photographers-bring-hbcu-swingman-classic-to-life-through-their-lenses/ Thu, 18 Jul 2024 11:02:05 +0000 https://andscape.com/?post_type=tu_feature&p=325985 Getty Images and MLB kicked off their second year of collaboration at the HBCU Swingman Classic on July 12 in Arlington, Texas, providing a platform for three student photographers from historically Black colleges and universities to showcase their skills.

The group consisted of Emmanuel Durojaiye of Morgan State University and Marcus Plummer of Grambling State University from Getty Images’ HBCU Photographer Mentorship Program, and MLB intern Jamea “Nadia” Beavers of Spelman College.

Equipped with cameras and training, the creatives documented every moment as 50 athletes from Division I HBCU baseball programs performed on a national stage, aiming to enhance their prospects for the MLB draft.

Emmanuel Durojaiye, Morgan State University

Emmanuel Durojaiye, an engineering major and graduating senior at Morgan State University, became interested in sports photography as an incoming freshman seeking to be active on campus. Since then, he has balanced his engineering studies and sports photography with contributing to the growth of his university’s media department. He helped establish MSU Creatives, an initiative where students intern with Morgan State’s athletics program.

“My creativity thrives in this setting. Upon realizing the minimal sports coverage my university received with only one professional handling all sports photography at the time, Randolph Brent, now the current digital media director at MEAC [Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference], quickly became my mentor,” Durojaiye said. “As he handed me my first camera, a Canon T7, from that moment, I felt compelled to create a larger platform to showcase my peers.”

Florida A&M University baseball player Ty Jackson is introduced before the HBCU Swingman Classic on Friday at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.

Emmanuel Durojaiye / Getty Images

“This picture shows the athletes running alongside their teammates, coming out of the dugout amidst smoke, lights and music. In this moment, you can hear the players yelling, ‘Yah!’ Being able to capture the camaraderie they had for each other, as well as their love and pride in representing their athletic abilities, felt amazing,” Durojaiye said.

The Texas Southern University Ocean of Soul marching band performs following the HBCU Swingman Classic on on July 12 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.

Emmanuel Durojaiye/Getty Images

“The band truly embodied the spirit of HBCU culture and history, bringing it to life on such a grand platform. It meant a lot to hear our songs resonating through the crowd, who were ecstatic. Both Texas Southern’s Ocean of Soul and Prairie View A&M’s Marching Storm showcased their schools with pride and passion battling off on the field,” Durojaiye said.

Grambling State University baseball player Kyle Walker celebrates after the American League team won the HBCU Swingman Classic on July 12 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.

Emmanuel Durojaiye / Getty Images

“Captured at the end of the game, this was a moment where players were flipping and dancing in celebration,” Durojaiye said. “I had to crouch low to get these shots, and catching him midair truly shows the level of excitement I feel. You could tell it meant a lot for the players to be there, as this wasn’t just another game for them but a chance to showcase that there is talented athletes at HBCUs.”

Marcus Plummer, Grambling State University

Marcus Plummer, who is pursuing his master’s degree in sports management at Grambling State University, graduated in 2023 with his bachelor’s degree in mass communication. He got involved in sports photography in high school to stay connected to sports after his time as a player.

While at Grambling, he gained experience photographing campus life and homecoming events before moving into university athletics.

“I felt this year’s classic was a great representation for Grambling, with five athletes participating. After having a phenomenal year and becoming the SWAC [Southwestern Athletic Conference] champs in baseball, seeing Tiger Borom walk away with the Swingman Classic MVP trophy at the end was truly amazing,” Plummer said. “Just being alongside these athletes from my school felt great, and I’m proud to represent our athletic department in this creative space as a photographer.”

Grambling State University baseball player Tiger Borom wins the MVP award at the HBCU Swingman Classic on July 12 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.

Marcus Plummer/Getty Images

“In the front is Tiger Borom, with what I believe is his family in the background, posing with a thumbs-up after winning MVP,” Plummer said. “I also love this picture because it shows his support and just the crowd and the youth in the stands who came to watch the players.”

Florida A&M University baseball player Ty Jackson celebrates reaching second base during the HBCU Swingman Classic on July 12 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.

Marcus Plummer/Getty Images

Ty Jackson has such a great personality that you can see when photographing him. He hit a double and started celebrating as soon as he made it to second base,” Plummer said. “Moments like this in baseball are cherished because they showcase the personality of the game, and the fans loved it. His energy throughout the game was truly something special.”

Grambling State University baseball player Jose Vargas points to the Dominican flag on his headband during the HBCU Swingman Classic on July 12 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.

Marcus Plummer/Getty Images

[Jose] Vargas pointing to his country’s flag beneath his hat shows the deep love he holds for his roots. I’m glad to capture this on such a stage where he represents not only himself but also his culture, community, Grambling and the name on the back of his jersey. It carries immense meaning,” Plummer said. “Seeing and capturing moments like this is my favorite because they’re often easily overlooked.”

Jamea ‘Nadia’ Beavers, Spelman College

When Jamea “Nadia” Beavers took Advanced Placement art classes in high school, an introductory photography course sparked her interest. Upon starting college, she studied arts with a focus in photography. To gain more exposure and experience in sports photography, she started photographing events at Spelman and nearby universities, which led to a summer internship with MLB, where she was invited to shoot the HBCU Swingman Classic.

“As a growing photographer, I really liked having the opportunity to capture images of individuals who look like me, particularly in environments where diversity among Black and brown people is not as prevalent. This experience was incredibly positive as it allowed me to connect with many individuals, including players, fellow photographers, media professionals and even fans,”  Beavers said. 

She said being the first student photographer from Spelman to shoot the game meant a lot to her.

“Representing my HBCU at Swingman Classic and through this internship with MLB and connecting with Getty mentors was amazing,” Beavers said.

The National League and American League teams line the base paths before the 2024 HBCU Swingman Classic on July 12 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.

Jamea Beavers / MLB Photos via Getty Images

“Before the game, the players stood for both the national anthem and the African American national anthem, ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing,’ led by gospel artist Kirk Franklin. It was a great moment to see players look toward the flag with honor,” Beavers said.

Grambling State University baseball player Jose Vargas slides into third base during the 2024 HBCU Swingman Classic on July 12 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.

Jamea Beavers/MLB Photos via Getty Images

“I took a lot of pictures from the ground using a millimeter lens,” Beavers said. “Taking action shots like this was new for me. Quickly I was able to adapt, even with the intense energy between the teams. I could see my pictures getting better as the game went on as it was my first time using this lens.”

MLB Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. (left) and his father, American League manager and former player Ken Griffey Sr. (right), attend the 2024 HBCU Swingman Classic on July 12 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.

Jamea Beavers/MLB Photos via Getty Images

“At the end of the game there was a large crowd of people, and I had to get through other photographers from various outlets to capture this photo,” Beavers said. “Seeing this through my lens was amazing. I could clearly see the joy on everyone’s faces, and it felt incredible.”

The HBCU student photographers also participated in the MLB All-Star Futures Game on July 13. More of their work can be found on gettyimages.com and @MLBDevelops on Instagram.

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325985 Assata Allah-Shabazz https://andscape.com/contributors/assata-allah-shabazz/ Assata.S.Allah-Shabazz@espn.com