Diversity & Inclusion

Fighting Human Trafficking

November brought some relief to the nation and the world with our new President Elect, Joe Biden. Hopefully this will help to bring an end to the bigotry, xenophobia, homophobia, transphobia and blatant racism that has reached new heights over the last four years. America now has a chance to rebuild and unite. At the…
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No, I’m not Angry…. and Don’t Call Me Sweetheart

In a few days, the vice-presidential debate will occur between Kamala Harris and Mike Pence, and we certainly anticipate a different style of conversation to the confrontation we saw during the recent presidential debate.  There also is likely to be a separate level of analysis beyond the typical fact-checking/who appeared (vice) presidential/who made the best…
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I hope I made you proud

To me, at the age of 10 years old, he was a cowboy, farmer and a man who could fix anything that was broken.  Little did I know he was dedicated to fixing a system of educational discrimination in a small town in rural Texas.  Roger W. Lee was my paternal grandfather.   Born September 9,…
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#IamANIMMIGRANT

Over the past several weeks, we’ve all watched Hamilton over and over again, singing the songs ad nauseam.  We’re collectively “not throwing away our shot…” And we all want to be “in the room where it happens.”  We rejoice in the energy and spirit of a young nation built on the beliefs and ideals of immigrants.  At the…
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What Does Leadership Look Like

When asked the question, “How do you define a leader,” most of us will quickly respond… vision, influence, communication, positivity, creativity etc., etc., etc.  But, when asked the question, “What does a leader LOOK like,” the response is sometimes slower.  Some will say well, there is no special look, it’s about the skills, it’s about the…
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A Reflection On This Moment

No matter what your beliefs or political affiliation, history demands that we pause for a moment and recognize the significance of Kamala Harris’ selection as the presumptive Democratic vice presidential candidate, and the first Black woman, and first Asian American woman to run for this seat on a major party ticket.    On social media,…
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Women are still excluded in sport

Historically, women have been shut out of many professions and sport is no different. “In many ways, sport remains one of the final frontiers where women are excluded, not because of interest, not because of ability, but simply because they are women.” Listen as ISSJ Executive Director, Delise O’Meally, speaks about the lack of opportunities…
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This year, Mother’s Day falls on June 10th…

No, not the second Sunday in May that has come to represent an interesting mix of sentimentalism and commercialism, with just the right dose of “call your mother” guilt, but rather, the day that working mothers finally catch up with working fathers, as it relates to the gender pay gap. Equal Pay Day raises awareness…
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Pain

Josh Meyer Saint Michael’s College Men’s Basketball “We are all the leaves of one tree. We are all the waves of one sea.” Thich Nhat Hanh I glanced up from the huddle and there was an ocean of pain in the eyes of my partner. It was a look that I was familiar with, but…
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SPORT FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT YOUTH CAMP

The ISSJ “Sport for Social Development Youth Camp” was created to serve under-resourced middle school students in Central Florida. This camp offers workshops on important life skills, critical decision making and bullying.  Various professionals around the community come speak to the campers about their educational and career paths. Finally, all campers receive sports instruction in…
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