POUGHKEEPSIE, New York – Marist's Black Student-Athlete Alliance (BSAA) was formed earlier this summer to serve Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) student-athletes in varsity and club sports.
 
In its initial social media posts, the BSAA stated goals of creating an uplifting community while giving a voice to Black and Brown student-athletes. The Alliance is focusing on reviewing school policy and making recommendations, connecting with the campus community, and creating a sense of family among BIPOC student-athletes. The ultimate goals are to create a more welcoming environment for current and future Red Foxes by creating an impact that extends beyond the Marist Athletics Department, and leads to added inclusiveness and diversity at the College.
 
BSAA holds group meetings once per month. The Alliance's initial meeting was in July. Its August meeting featured a talk from Deborah Reeves-Duncan, Marist's Assistant Director of Accommodations. The group meetings have drawn approximately 20 attendees.
 
Plans are being made to hold a larger group meeting in September. In October, the BSAA is seeking to host its first town hall meeting, which will be open to all student-athletes.
 
The BSAA Leadership Board has remained in constant communication through weekly meetings and group chats.
 

Leadership Board

BSAA has five student-athletes on its Leadership Board:
 

• Trinasia Kennedy, Co-President: Kennedy is heading into her sophomore year, and is a guard of the women's basketball program. She is a Psychology/Special Education major who was a Dean's List honoree in both semesters of her freshman year, and was named to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Academic (MAAC) Honor Roll. Kennedy has been heavily involved in the BSAA since its formation, and was one of the first to ask for responsibility. Kennedy is from Binghamton, New York.
• Arthur Pinckney, Co-President: Pinckney is heading into his junior year, and is a linebacker on the football team. He is a History Education major from Union, New Jersey. Pinckney has been active in speaking at marches, and circulated a petition with the goal of having the institution adopt mandatory classes on systemic and racial oppression.
• Chidera Udeh, Vice President/Director of Marketing: Originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, Udeh in heading into her senior year as a middle blocker on the volleyball team. Udeh is a three-time Dean's List honoree, and two-time selection to the MAAC All-Academic Team. She attended the Black Student-Athlete Summit in January of 2020, and co-founded the Young Black Women Leadership Alliance at her high school.
• Jordan Jones, Director of Engagement: A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Jones is in his third year at Marist after spending his first two collegiate years at Charleston Southern. He is a center on the men's basketball team. Last season, Jones was named to the MAAC All-Academic Team, was honored as MAAC Student-Athlete of the Week, and was named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Honors Court. He attended the Black Student-Athlete Summit in January of 2019.
• Chris Watkins, Secretary: Watkins is a native of Silver Spring, Maryland who is heading into his freshman year as a running back on the football team. Watkins was heavily involved in social justice causes throughout high school.

 
Peaches Brown, Assistant Director of the Center of Student-Athlete Enhancement, serves as the alliance's advisor. Brown is heading into her third year at Marist, and took part in the Women Leaders Institute for Administrative Advancement earlier this summer.
 

Social Media

• Follow on Instagram: @MaristBSAA
• Follow on Twitter: @MaristBSAA

 

Media Coverage

The Black Student-Athlete Alliance was recently featured in the Poughkeepsie Journal and Center Field.