The Doug Williams Center exists to build an ever-growing network of solutions for diversity and inclusion in collegiate and professional sports. The Center is a learning commons and advancement space for audiences to examine the history of race, gender and politics in American sports, build holistic perspectives around the cultural impact, and thereby provide resources for ongoing social and political advocacy work.
WE CAN ONLY WIN TOGETHER
Sports are bridges that connect us across race, gender, and politics so we can influence American culture.
RACE AND POLITICS IN SPORTS
ABOUT THE DOUG WILLIAMS CENTER
Creating Change
Our Solutions to Level the Playing Field
Partnerships
We work with collegiate and professional sports leagues, teams, athletes, students, and personnel to find answers, increase awareness, create opportunities, and open pathways for advancement.
Connectivity
We provide students and athletes with exclusive ways to connect to the business side of the sports industry, broadening career horizons and expanding industry access to a growing pool of exceptional candidates.
WHY STUDY RACE AND POLITICS IN SPORTS?
CREATING A SPACE FOR TOPICS TO BE EXPLORED
The persistence of racial disparities in collegiate and professional sports has been a topic of discussion in many circles and from many perspectives.
Where do these disparities come from? What creates the ongoing climate around the politics of sports?
Should athletes and sports journalists on either side of the political aisle keep silent on social and cultural issues and just stay within the sports arena, or should they be free to participate in the discussion, regardless of how uncomfortable or controversial those comments may be to some?
Should those in positions of power, such as corporate media entities – afraid of alienating a portion of their viewers – all the way up to the Oval Office be able to influence and effectively advocate for the silencing of athletes and/or sports journalists over any and all dialogue revolving around race?
The Doug Williams Center for the Study of Race and Politics in Sports creates a space where these topics can be explored at length and students, sports leaders, and political influencers will come together to find understand the subject matter, create common ground, and develop real solutions.
How we finally answer those questions will go along way toward navigating through the difficult and potent mix of politics, race, and sports.
WHAT'S HAPPENING
THE HUDDLE
Virtual events are forthcoming.
