uKnighted Nation Committee Creates UCF Social Justice Initiatives

The uKnighted Nation Action Committee has been charged with proposing and implementing social and racial justice programming for UCF Athletics.

The 30-member group that first met June 29 is chaired by UCF executive associate athletics director Brandi Stuart and includes coaches, student-athletes and other athletics administrators, as well as UCF faculty and staff.

The uKnighted Nation mission is to educate and empower UCF student-athletes and staff to become thought leaders and change agents within their individual platforms to shape a collaborative community of action.

The committee's charge is to create a community of one that promotes holistic education and crucial conversations surrounding social justice issues, cultural intelligence, inclusion and equality within the UCF Athletic Association and the UCF community at large. Members will encourage one another and utilize intentional programming, open forums and activate community partnerships to ensure that everyone within the UCFAA family becomes one in celebrating the diversity within the department and upholding organizational values of student-athlete success, integrity, partnership, inclusion and accountability.

"Our goal with these discussions is to create an environment for our student-athletes, coaches and staff that prompts a conversation that continues long after any of the forums are complete," says Danny White, UCF vice president and director of athletics.
 
"These are not always easy conversations to have, yet the growth that comes from sharing and learning with each other is too important to pass up. We are privileged to be working with the Institute for Sport & Social Justice to provide regular programming addressing social justice, diversity and inclusion. 
 
"These ongoing discussions about racial injustices and continuing to support our Black student-athletes, coaches and staff represent efforts that will make our department stronger and allow us to continue creating the future of college sports."

One uKnighted Nation initiative has been to create a series of forums based on podcasts, videos or written pieces to assist with the educational component of the movement—with all UCF athletic teams and departments expected to be represented. Jeff O'Brien, a vice president with UCF's prestigious Institute for Sport & Social Justice, has played a key role in helping build a program of continuing educational units for the coming months. The program started off strong, with UCF Athletics staff members scheduled to participate in their third education session later this month.

Says O'Brien, "The Institute and I are proud to be joining the huddle with the committee working for leadership, equity and justice across Knight Nation and beyond."

The group also will continue to provide voting and policy education prior to the November election. Additional future programming and action plans continue in development.