Sport does not belong to anyone, but everyone belongs in sport. In honour of Black History Month, we’re celebrating incredible Black women in sport who have worked hard to make their mark in sport, and bring others, especially other BIPOC women, with them.
Many BIPOC women in sport have made it a part of their mission to fight for and create opportunities for girls and women from BIPOC communities to participate or be recognized in all areas of the sports industry. We are so fortunate to have many incredible Black women in sport within our her Soul Shot community who have shared their beautiful souls and incredible wisdom with us and our community.
To recognize and continue the conversation for Black History Month, below is a (non-exhaustive) list of 8 Black women in sport who are good for your soul; these women and organizations are breaking boundaries and showcasing how powerful BIPOC girls and women are through sport.
8 BLACK WOMEN IN SPORTS WHO ARE GOOD FOR YOUR SOUL
1. Alero Eribo – Founder of HockeyGirlz
Driven, inspirational and passionate: these are just some of the words to describe HockeyGirlz founder Alero Eribo. From a young age, Alero recognized the limitations of girls in sport, specifically hockey, and sought to change that narrative. After immigrating to Canada from Nigeria at 14 and finding a love for hockey, she was determined to create an opportunity for young girls like herself to feel empowered in hockey.
By 16, she had founded HockeyGirlz, an organization that provides resources for more girls to play hockey and develop a passion for the game. Alero is an incredible example that age is but a number.
READ ALERO’S STORY:
LISTEN TO ALERO’S STORY ON THE HER SOUL SHOT PODCAST:
CONNECT WITH ALERO ERIBO & HOCKEY GIRLZ:
2. Saria Parker – Founder + Owner of Sportsimist
Here is an affirmation we can all agree on: Women in sports don’t owe you shit. Want a daily reminder of that? Grab your new fav mug on Sportsimist!
Saria Parker is an innovative and passionate member of the women’s sports community committed to levelling the playing field for women in sport, especially women of colour. She is the founder and creative voice behind Sportsimist, a lifestyle brand that’s quickly evolved into a community of empowerment for women in sport.
She was able to combine her creativity with her career and turn it into a successful and empowering business, one we highly recommend you check out!
LISTEN TO SARIA’S STORY ON THE HER SOUL SHOT PODCAST:
CONNECT WITH SARIA & SPORTSIMIST:
3. Kayla Countryman – Entrepreneur & Business Coach
Women have a place on the field and in business, and Kayla Countryman is guiding soulful women entrepreneurs to turn their dreams into a reality.
Kayla has been involved in sports all her life and recently made the journey from corporate marketing to becoming an entrepreneur working with clients who align with her soul. Focusing on preventing burnout while growing a business and providing inspiration and guidance, Kayla is here to help women help women connect their passions with careers and live their soul’s truth through their entrepreneurial business journey.
LISTEN TO KAYLA COUNTRyman ON THE HER SOUL SHOT PODCAST:
CONNECT WITH KAYLA COUNTRYMAN:
4. Jahaan Blake – Sports Business Coach
If you want to level up your career in sports, Jahaan Blake is your girl.
Jahaan has not one, but two World Series rings from her fifteen-year career in the MLB with the Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers. Now, Jahaan is helping other women in sport become their own champions through her coaching and consulting business and her podcast, Game of Her Own.
Through her business and podcast, Jahaan shares advice and stories from herself and other women in sports at the top of their game, inspiring the next generation to take it upon themselves to become the MVP.
LISTEN TO JAHAAN BLAKE’S STORY ON THE HER SOUL SHOT PODCAST:
CONNECT WITH JAHAAN BLAKE:
5. Leah Howard – Founder of The Sports Counselor
The importance of mental health and athlete mental health is on the rise.
Leah Howard, AKA The Sports Counselor, is a trailblazer in the counseling profession, helping change how athletes and others prioritize their mental health for the better. Leah is helping lead the conversation on the importance of athletes taking care of their mental health at any level, how those who support athletes (parents, coaches, health professionals, etc.) can navigate supporting an athlete’s mental health, and so much more.
LISTEN TO LEAH HOWARD ON THE HER BODY PODCAST:
CONNECT WITH THE SPORTS COUNSELOR:
6. Black Girl Hockey Club – Non-Profit Organization
Black Girl Hockey Club’s (BGHC) mission is to make hockey more inclusive for Black girls and women.
The sport of hockey has historically excluded BIPOC communities. BGHC ensures Black women and other BIPOC people have a place in hockey by providing education, scholarships, community, and campaigns like the Get Uncomfortable Campaign to make hockey a more inclusive space.
BGHC is an incredible initiative and community creating space for BIPOC women in sport and pushing major sporting bodies to actively become more inclusive.
LISTEN TO BGHC FOUNDER RENEE HESS & PHF’S SAROYA TINKER ON THE HER SOUL SHOT PODCAST:
CONNECT WITH BLACK GIRL HOCKEY CLUB:
7. Rachael Smillie – Athlete + Coach
Rachael Smillie is one of the raddest athletes we know. Growing up playing various sports, Rachael settled on badminton, which took her to university where she also joined the cross country and track team and attended a combined six National Championships. The raddest part? Now she’s back at her university coaching the future as the head coach of the badminton team.
Rachael was recently featured on our new Take Your Shot Lager with Arcadia Brewing Co. and we can’t wait to continue cheering her on.
READ RACHAEL’s STORY:
CONNECT WITH RACHAEL:
8. Ashley Mouzzon – Athlete + Women’s Sports Advocate + Podcast Host
Ashley Mouzzon knows how to take her shot in sports and she inspires the heck out of us.
A hockey player, former Communications Coordinator for Women’s Hockey Life, and host of the Literature Amplified Podcast, Ashley continuously takes her shot in sports (including recently trying out for the US women’s ball hockey team), amplifies the voices of others, and inspires others to take their shot.
CHECK OUT ASHLEY’S LIST OF BOOKS BY BLACK AUTHORS YOU NEED TO READ:
CONNECT WITH ASHLEY MOUZZON:
