Join us as we celebrate #BlackHistoryMonth. Throughout February, we will celebrate and honor our black student-athletes past and present and their contributions on and off the playing field. Follow along on @lmulions as together we will understand our past so we can shape our future.

Siarfo Abekah - Women's Soccer

Beyond Black History Month, Siarfo Abekah, from LMU’s women’s soccer team, is passionate about cultivating a better society for Black Americans, as she strives to be a role model through both her sport and career aspirations.

When recalling the Black Lives Matter movement that resurfaced in May 2020, Abekah voiced feelings of shock and disappointment. The instances of police brutality that were seen are unfortunately a common reality for the Black community to this day but they offer Abekah the opportunity to speak out. “I can help with the movement even by talking to friends who aren't Black, posting information on social media, and making people in my community aware of what is happening,” Abekah said.

Abekah is passionate about activism and as a liberal studies major, she is currently studying to become a teacher. “I’ll be able to help educate students on how to deal with racism and how to help not continue racist behaviors,” Abekah said. “I'll have the opportunity to keep impacting the [Black Lives Matter Movement].”

Though Abekah is a driven athlete, her goals in becoming a teacher will make a tangible change to pave the way for future Black generations. “It’s really important to remember that the kids are the future,” Abekah said. “We get to see them grow up, and as a teacher, I'm going to be on the front lines, teaching them not only information but also how to act in society,” As she spends more time on coursework learning about her future profession, Abekah remains confident and eager to take on such a big responsibility that can positively transform society.

As both an African American and a woman, she holds an intersectionality that has allowed her to become headstrong. Growing up in Issaquah, Washington, Abekah was one of the only Black individuals amidst a predominantly white area. With Washington’s lack of diversity, Abekah found it difficult to feel welcomed, as she had no Black friends growing up. Attending LMU changed her perspective, for it became the first time she was exposed to Black individuals other than her family.

Even on her soccer teams in the past, there was little to no diversity, which left Abekah as one of the only Black players on her club teams. Though this can be intimidating, Abekah stays true to herself and focused on her passions because she recognizes the need for representation.
“Having the opportunity to be a role model for girls that look like me is important because I never had that growing up,” Abekah said. “Having girls see that they can do whatever they want is important.”

Despite the difficulties and disconnect, Abekah faces as a young Black woman within the sport and within the greater scope of society, she remains strong and optimistic. “It can be discouraging to not have people that always feel the same way about things or don't experience things the same as you do, but continue to grow in that and use your gift of being a Black person to help the people around you, because it is a gift and it can be used in such amazing ways,” Abekah said. 

Cole Roberts - Baseball

A member of LMU’s baseball team, Cole Roberts, proudly represents the Black community through his sport and beyond. 

As a student-athlete, Roberts is dedicated to paving the way for future generations to serve as a point of inspiration for Black youth aspiring to play sports. “Get more Black youth into the game ... give them something to do, give them a way to make a name for themselves,” Roberts said. “I think that if we can do that and preach a good message about equality in life along the way, that'd be a big win.” With Black athletes making up only 7.8 percent of Major League Baseball players, Roberts hopes to see the big leagues add more Black athletes in the near future.

Because Robert’s father, Dave Roberts, Los Angeles Dodgers manager and a former MLB player, Cole Roberts knows these dreams of playing professionally are attainable for many Black youths. “When you face adversity because of what you look like or how you do things, just keep going. Stay in your lane, find good people around you to help give you that support, and just keep moving forward,” Roberts said. 

For Roberts, his dad is his main source of support and inspiration. With his father’s successful career in the MLB, Roberts looks up to him in hopes of emulating a similar path. Roberts obtains knowledge from his father’s experiences as a Black professional, gaining insight on how to strongly exhibit a role as a Black figure in sports. 

Seeing the awful spate of police brutality, Roberts firmly believes in using his voice to raise awareness about racial injustices. “When you're an athlete, everyone has a pedestal,” Roberts said. “Instead of staying quiet and being like ‘I don't know what people are going to say about me’ ... don’t be concerned about that. Be concerned for the Black people that fall victim and are having their rights taken away ... speak up on their behalf because they might not be able to.” 

As this month highlights Black History, Roberts reflects on ways to push the Black Lives Matter movement forward. “Raise awareness for not only this month, but make sure this month and what it means surpasses this month and goes beyond the rest of the year to continue a push for equality,” Roberts said.

Khari Clark - Women's Basketball

Khari Clark, a sophomore on LMU’s women’s basketball team, proudly promotes racial equality to display strength for not only herself but as a representation of the entire Black community.

For Clark, Black History Month is a time to recognize the past experiences that have come to define the Black community and how it helps to shape her view as a young Black woman in today’s society. Though slavery in the United States ended centuries ago, instances of discrimination still negatively impact African Americans to this day.

“The events [of police brutality] that happened and what continues to happen is just another instance where Black people have a disadvantage... there are inequalities that we face on a day-to-day basis,” Clark said.

Having two brothers herself, Clark is aware of the inequalities that Black men specifically endure. “My brothers are always talking about their Blackness, how the world sees them, how they can make a change in the world, how traumas in the past have affected them, and how they move forward,” Clark said. “They're a staple for me just to live for and live by.”

With members of her family directly affected by events of racial hate and trauma, Clark is even more inspired to cultivate hope and progress in the fight for racial justice. “Trying to make a change within that whole realm means affecting people on a smaller level, so just making a ripple in the pond,” Clark said.

LMU women’s basketball team has specially made a ripple in the pond this month with the implementation of black jerseys throughout February. The jerseys represent equality as the team stands against societal and racial injustices that impact many Black Americans. Each member of the team has a chosen message with sayings like “I Matter” to “Say Her Name”, that are reflected on the back of each uniform.

Clark personally chose “Black Equity” as the message on the back of her jersey. “I believe that Black people are at a disadvantage and until we have those resources to make us equal, just, and fair to our counterparts, that is when we will truly have equality and equity,” Clark said.

As a Black student-athlete, Clark sees the benefits of being involved in athletics, as it allows her to create new narratives for not only herself but the Black race as a whole. “Especially for young Black kids, [sports] are a great vehicle to get and achieve more things in life,” Clark said. “You can get a free education; you can meet people and make different connections... I think this is a very useful outlet to achieve those things.”  

Through propelling such messages of racial justice and Black prosperity to the forefront, Clark hopes to portray that the color of her skin is not a weapon, but a tool representing power. “I hope to change my life and add a legacy to my family, my siblings, and my future kids,” Clark said.

Duhaney Williams - Men's Soccer

Duhaney Williams is not just a proud member of LMU men’s soccer team, but a proud Jamaican. Williams utilizes Black History Month to reflect on his home country's resilience and power, as Jamaica gained independence in 1962.  
          
Born Clarendon, Jamaica, Williams is deeply in tune with his roots as he spent the majority of his upbringing in a country heavily populated with those of African descent. Williams cherished the memories he had growing up in Clarendon, as he was surrounded by those of the same background. “When I was growing up I only saw Black people. We look out for each other; we are not selfish,” Williams said. “It’s pretty different from [the United States]. When I moved [to Los Angeles] I was seeing people of different colors, different foods, different cultures. It was a bit of a change for me, but I feel like it has been a really great experience.”

Attending school in Los Angeles has given Williams a new perspective on many aspects including racial injustices that he was previously unaccustomed to. Williams stresses the sense of community, support, and love that is fostered in Jamaica, which contrasts with the racial hate and bigotry displayed more frequently in the United States. “Where I’m from, everyone is Black, so no one is picking on you based on your color. Seeing that here was just very different,” Williams said. “I've always heard about racism but living here and seeing it now...It's very difficult to be someone who is Black. You can say you understand but if you don't live it, you can't understand.”

Williams’ support of the Black Lives Matter movement has been in alignment with many professional athletes that he admires, such as LeBron James. “I like LeBron James because he's always been an advocate for Black people,” Williams said. “He doesn't really care what people think, he just speaks the truth.” To personally bring matters of racial injustice to the forefront, Williams has decided this season he will kneel as a part of his goal celebration.  

Similar to LeBron James, Williams hopes to strongly represent the Black community by offering opportunities to communities of color. In the future, Williams hopes to coach youth soccer teams. “If I coach, I would like to have a really diverse team...everyone deserves to be treated equally. We’re all humans and we all bleed red.” Coming from Jamaica, Williams speaks on the lack of opportunities they are given, despite the amount of talent that they develop. Because of this, Williams is passionate about giving others the chances they deserve.

Williams is an advocate of making young athlete's dreams a reality, as he is a testament to such accomplishments. Williams had dreams of attending a Division I school and with his dedication, he has had a successful career academically and athletically. On the soccer field, Williams was a team-leader in goals scored and points during the 2019 season. A similar drive is also displayed in the classroom, as he received his bachelor's degree in December 2020.

“I feel like anything you want— once you put your mind to it and you work hard for it— is achievable. Just don't give up on your dream,” Williams said. “If someone had told me a few years ago that I would have a bachelor's right now and were going to get a master's, I would say it's a lie. You can't just expect to be successful if you don't work hard. That’s something I say helps you get to where you really want to be in life.”

For Williams, his hard work proves to be an example of Black success as he continues to thrive on the soccer field and beyond, ultimately impacting many Black communities.

Tiras Pie - Men's Cross Country/Track & Field

Tiras Pie, a freshman on LMU’s Cross Country and Track and Field team, utilizes Black History Month to amplify the Black experience.

For Pie, this month is a celebration of all that comes with the Black experience — both the love and the hardships. “I am very proud to be African American,” Pie said. "This month is a celebration of all the struggles...looking back at our history and getting an understanding of everything that we’ve gone through...embracing it, loving it, and loving ourselves.”  

Not only does Pie cherish Black History Month to understand his own culture, but he also hopes to educate others on the Black experience a well. With the events of racial injustice and some recent deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Jacob Blake, Pie hopes to spread love and awareness by having conversations that help others understand how hard it is to be Black in America.

As Pie reflects on his own family experience, his mother proves to be a testament of strength and resilience, personifying the struggle that many African Americans endure. “[My mom] almost died having a kid. Because she’s an African American woman, [the doctors] didn't believe that she was going through a lot of pain and overlooked her,” Pie explained. “She’s a big advocate in the medical health field, promoting that Black women are undertreated and undervalued.” With his mother’s fight and determination, she inspires him to tackle his day to day as both an athlete and a scholar.

As a Black student-athlete, Pie understands the expectations that he must live up to regardless of whether it is in the classroom or on the track. Though Pie is aware of the difficulties that African Americans experience, this does not hinder him; he keeps a determined mindset, nonetheless. “Do it for your people. Do it for yourself.” Pie said. “You have to work 10 times harder in every aspect...in the classroom, in your sport, in your craft, because when you're out there, you're representing something so much bigger than yourself. You're representing your whole people.”

Because Pie strives to positively display the African American race, he has goals to give back to his community beyond the sport. “There are a lot of underprivileged kids that are stuck in poverty-stricken communities that have a lot of talent whether it's in music or sports,” Pie said. “My dream is to create an organization to reach out to musicians and athletes that don't have the guidance they need—because they're stuck in bad situations— to help them with their passions.”

As Pie continues to elevate the African American race, he also highlights the richness that is embedded within Black roots, keeping positive perspectives to the forefront. “There is too much to love...the music, the history...We have the most fruitful culture and I just love everything about Black culture,” Pie said.