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USA Fencing Announces Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Resource Team

05/08/2020, 9:15am CDT
By Nicole Jomantas

USA Fencing is dedicated to refocusing our efforts on diversity, equity and inclusion to create an equitable, safe and positive environment for everyone in the fencing community.

In keeping with one of the organization’s core values of inclusion, the USA Fencing Board of Directors approved the formation of a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Resource Team during the April 29, 2020 meeting. The DEI Resource Team will assist the organization in its efforts to reassess and restructure policies & protocols, create new education initiatives, facilitate honest dialogue around identity and difference and increase recruitment of individuals in  underrepresented populations.

The resource team was developed in consultation with  several current and former elite athletes with two-time Olympian and 2018 Senior World Team Champion Nzingha Prescod serving as the team’s founding member.

“Nzingha has been a leader within the National Team throughout the decade that she dedicated herself to representing Team USA at the highest level and a champion of equality who has worked to help increase opportunities for athletes of all backgrounds within our sport,” said USA Fencing President Donald K. Anthony, Jr. “I know Nzingha will continue to be an excellent leader within this DEI group and look forward to working with the resource team as we seek to move fencing forward.”

USA Fencing also would like to thank Olympians Daryl Homer and Bob Cottingham as well as current and former World and National Team members Kamali Thompson, Khalil Thompson, Isis Washington and Dwight Smith for their contributions towards the establishment of the resource team.

DEI Resource Team Application

Individuals may apply to serve on the resource team by completing an application online here. All resource team members currently hold a USA Fencing membership or register for a membership upon being named to the group.  Prior to being named to any USA Fencing committee or resource team, all individuals must complete SafeSport screening and a background check. The resource team will include at least 20% athlete representation as defined by the USA Fencing Bylaws. USA Fencing encourages members of diverse backgrounds, including, but not limited to, racial and ethnic minorities, women, veterans, varying religious groups individuals with disabilities and those who identify as LGBTQIA to apply. Applications will be reviewed in July with appointments approved at the September Board of Directors meeting. For questions, please contact USA Fencing at info@usafencing.org.

 

Tag(s): Updates