Champions of Change: The RISE Podcast

We were thrilled to welcome an array of outstanding guests on the Champions of Change: The RISE Podcast during the Super Bowl, and to honor Black History Month, we are excited to present a two-part series. In this second part, we had the honor of engaging with former player Picasso Nelson Jr., Antoine Wesley of the Cardinals, and Dakoda Martin of the Saints. Each interview was impactful, bringing a unique perspective and inspiring insights. Our discussions ranged from strategies for building success to the importance of community and allyship, and why representation matters. Our aim was to celebrate African Americans and allies who are making a significant impact in our communities and shine a light on their inspiring stories.

While the Chiefs and the Eagles were making history on the field, we had the opportunity to connect with leading figures in the NFL community to discuss how they are making history off the field.

In the first part of a two-part series, we sat down with former NFLPA Lawyer, Joe Briggs, to discuss the impact the NFLPA has on all aspects of player development and his thoughts on how we can move forward. Next, we interviewed former NFL commissioner, Paul Tagliabue, and former player turned entrepreneur, Ryan Munday, to discuss the importance of community building, mental health, and strong leadership. Lastly, we engaged with Sheldon Day of the Minnesota Vikings and discussed how he is doing his part to support athletes and his community.

At RISE, we believe there is no better way to celebrate Black History Month than by highlighting leaders who are creating history now and changing the narratives of their communities.

On MLK Day, we honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his impact on civil rights. Please tune in to the Champions of Change podcast where we explore how to carry on his work through sports and the sports community. With guests Jesse Luketa, outside linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals and Shaun Mayo, the Chief People Officer for the Arizona Cardinals, we delve into athlete activism, promoting safe spaces for dialogue, and fostering community. Get a unique perspective on how civil rights and sports intersect and discover how each of us can make a meaningful impact on society.

Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15 through October 15, highlighting the many contributions made by those with Hispanic heritage. During this month, many Latin American countries also celebrate their independence. The month is marked by the celebration of history, culture and contributions of generations of Hispanic and Latinx people that have shaped and influenced society. In this conversation, RISE's Scarlen Martinez speaks with Jhoancy Zapata, a Latina who co-owns Z-Axis Sports Management, a boutique marketing and sports agency representing clients across multiple sports.

Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15 through October 15, highlighting the many contributions made by those with Hispanic heritage. During this month, many Latin American countries also celebrate their independence. The month is marked by the celebration of history, culture and contributions of generations of Hispanic and Latinx people that have shaped and influenced society. In this conversation, RISE's Scarlen Martinez speaks with CJ Perez of U.S. SailGP, a Latina athlete who is fast becoming an icon in the sport of sailing and a shining example in the Latino community.

How equal is the playing field in sports, especially for women of color? Gwen Berry, a U.S. Olympic Hammer Thrower and social justice activist, shares her experience facing racial and gender discrimination on and off the field, and discusses the motivation for and impact of her national anthem protests for racial justice on the international stage. RISE Sr. Director of Empowerment Scarlen Martinez co-hosts her first episode alongside Ian Cutler.

Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the passage of Title IX, we speak with Sarah Axelson, Vice President of Advocacy at the Women’s Sports Foundation. Sarah joins RISE's Ian Cutler and Natalia Chino to discuss the impact of Title IX and the significance of this anniversary, assessing the landscape of women’s sports today and the progress made in respect to equality and inclusivity. She also discusses the additional barriers faced by girls and women of color and the deeper disparities that exist for them in comparison to white women and men in sports and beyond. Finally, Sarah talks about the efforts of the Women’s Sports Foundation, how they are celebrating the 50th anniversary of Title IX and the work that still needs to be done to achieve true equity and inclusion in sports.

As we approach Juneteenth, the celebration of the end of slavery in this country, we share this RISE critical Conversation from the recently held University of Maryland Sports Business Conference. With lawmakers across the country seeking to restrict the way issues of race, diversity and inclusion are discussed and taught in schools and places of work, this conversation addresses how we talk, teach and tackle racism in the collegiate space, particularly in athletics. With such legislative efforts rising in various states, Juneteenth serves as a reminder for the need to acknowledge and learn from our history and continue to push in the modern day fight for racial and social justice. In this conversation, we tackle these issues head-on, addressing athlete activism, amateurism and racial equity in college sports and the importance of engaging in honest conversations around racism and inclusivity. Moderated by University of Maryland Assistant Athletic Director of Student-Athlete Development, Resa Lovelace, the conversation features RISE CEO Diahann Billings-Burford; Kevin Blackistone, Professor of the Practice at the Phillip Merrill College of Journalism, Washington Post columnist and ESPN Around The Horn panelist; Maryland Women’s Volleyball Player Rainelle Jones; and Dr. Ronald Mower, Lecturer Kinesiology, Maryland School of Public Health.

During the height of the COVID pandemic in 2020, Denver Broncos all-pro safety Justin Simmons began joining weekly virtual sessions of a RISE multi-week leadership program with youth from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver. The program provided a safe space for teens to learn about diversity and inclusion related topics, and discuss what it means to be a champion of change for addressing racism and injustice in their communities. The impact of those sessions resonate today.

Two teens from that program, Nashara and Ray Ray, have since established themselves as leaders within their community. Mentored by Simmons through the RISE program and other engagements at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club, they’ve organized two Marches for Peace to remember those lost to violence and work towards a more equitable and safe future. They and Simmons are also back participating in this year’s in-person RISE leadership program for youth at the BGCMD, engaging a new group of students from the Broncos Club and the Suncor Boys & Girls Club on critical topics of race, identity and community building. That program concludes on May 25, so in this conversation, we speak with Justin, Nashara, Ray Ray and Angel, another student from this year’s program, to discuss the impact of these conversations and how to create more inclusive and equitable communities.

The Intercollegiate Sailing Association Inclusivity, Diversity, and Equity Task Force - otherwise known as ICSA TIDE - is dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive sailing community. Four of its student-athlete leaders – Lily Allen, University of Michigan; Preston Anderson, Bowdoin College; Michelle Lahrkamp, Stanford University; and Emi Ruth, Brown University – join us to discuss the experiences of women and athletes of color in this majority-white sport, the barriers they need to break to overcome the sport's perception of privilege and exclusivity and how they and TIDE are seeking to make the sport more inclusive at all levels.