Bowie State Archives - Athletes for Hope

Athletes in Action

Posted: March 4, 2024 Updated: April 24, 2024 by Hannah Bronkema

AFH University February 2024 Roundup

Developed in 2013, our AFH University program helps college athletes explore leadership, life skill development, advocacy, their role in the community, and how to discover their philanthropic passions.

While February came and went in a flash, our student-athletes dedicated as much time as possible to giving back to their communities in meaningful ways.

Athletes from Davidson College, Southern University, Bowie State, Georgetown, and LSU engaged in Valentine’s Day card making, various panel discussions, celebrating Black History Month and more!

Davidson College

Continuing The Mission

The women of the Davidson field hockey team spent time at Continuing the Mission, a comprehensive assistance for veterans that provides assistance dogs and support.

Since 2023, the team has been volunteering at Continuing the Mission where they take the dogs out, play with them, and help them socialize before they get adopted out to the veterans.

Mental Health U

During Black History Month, AFH University student-athletes from Davidson College and Southern University took part in the launch of AFH’s brand new AFH University panel series titled Mental Health U.

In Episode 1: Black History Month, the student-athletes discussed the importance of speaking out about mental health and breaking the stigma of mental health in the black community.

Hear about the mental health resources the student-athletes use on and off campus, the importance of having people you can talk to, how the stigma of mental health is changing, and more here.

Southern University

Valentine’s Day Project

This year for Valentine’s Day, student-athletes at Southern University helped spread the love as they hosted a card-making station where others could come and create cards for patients at Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital.

Once completed, the cards were hand-delivered to the hospital in time for Valentine’s Day where they were given to patients.

Black History Month Essay Contest

This year AFH partnered with the athletic departments at Southern University and Bowie State for our Black History Month Essay Contest. The contest asked high schoolers in their communities to share a story of an African American who has been an inspiration to them.

The winners from each community captured the power of perseverance and dedication in their essays. You can read both of the winning essays and learn more about this year’s winners here.

Bowie State

CHAMPS Program

In September 2023 Athletes for Hope revamped its AFH Fit and H.E.A.R.T. Curriculum to create the CHAMPS Program. CHAMPS brings athletes to underserved elementary school classrooms to teach them invaluable mental health and leadership skills alongside physical activity exercises.

This February student-athletes from Bowie State SAAC visited Perrywood Elementary School to put on a CHAMPS session with the children at the school. CHAMPS participants were taken through workouts, a mental health Mindfulness activity and more!

CIAA Panel Series

Members of Bowie State SAAC had the pleasure of visiting the Under Armour Headquarters where they participated in a series of panel discussions with Deloitte CEO of Consulting Dan Helfrich where they discussed a day in the life of a student-athlete with high school students.

The panelists kept the conversation light while providing insight on barriers to access of sport, adjusting to collegiate athletic life, how sports prepare you for professional work life, and more!

Georgetown

Night to Shine

Over 40 Georgetown student-athletes attended a Night to Shine in Washington DC. Night to Shine is a prom night experience for individuals 14 and older who have special needs and is sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation.

Louisiana State University (LSU)

Black History Month Movie

February is a time when AFH University student-athletes come together to celebrate, honor, and preserve Back history.

This year during Black History Month, student-athletes at LSU hosted a movie night for their campus that honored black movie directors. Eventgoers enjoyed a myriad of movies and sparked up conversations about the contributions of the Black community to film and television.

Spring is just around the corner for our student-athletes and we cannot wait to see how they will positively impact their communities!

Black History Month Essay Contest

Posted: February 28, 2024 Updated: February 28, 2024 by Hannah Bronkema

Inspiring the Next Generation

As Athletes for Hope (AFH) spent February celebrating the contributions and positive impacts of African American trailblazers, we partnered with our AFH University Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) athletic departments at Bowie State and Southern University for our 2nd Annual Black History Month Essay Contest.

The contest asked high schoolers in their communities to share a story of an African American who has been an inspiration to them.

The outpouring of submissions from students was incredible. We are honored to share with you the stories of the winners of our AFH Black History Month Essay Contest from Bowie High School and Scotlandville Magnet High School.

Meet The Winner: Bowie State

As we celebrate the contributions and positive impact of African American trailblazers, the Bowie St. University Athletic Department and Athletes for Hope encouraged 9th-12th grade students in the Bowie area to share the story of a local African American that has been an inspiration in their life.

The standout winner from the Bowie State community was soon-to-be 2026 graduate, Jalil.

Although Jalil was not able to attend the Bowie State Basketball game to be recognized and celebrated by his peers, he was sent an official AFH Black History Month Essay Contest certificate along with an AFH swag bag.

Read His Essay

Jalil

Black History Month Essay Topic: Omar Karim

Jalil’s essay focuses on the grit and determination of his Uncle Omar. He described his unwavering perseverance in creating a successful construction company during a time when most people told him his dreams were out of reach. Jalil’s essay perfectly encapsulates the meaning of hard work and the value of never giving up.

In him, I see the courage to chase my own dreams, the resillence to overcome hurdles, and the resourcefulness to navigate challenging landscapes.
Jalil

To read Jalil’s Black History Month Essay, click here.

Meet The Winner: Southern University

As we celebrate the contributions and positive impact of African American trailblazers, the Southern University Athletic Department, and Athletes for Hope encouraged 9th-12th grade students in the Baton Rouge area to share the story of a local African American who has been an inspiration in their life.

This year’s essay contest winner from the Baton Rouge community was senior football player, Lonnie.

Lonnie was recognized and celebrated by his peers at Southern’s basketball game on Saturday, February 24th where he was presented with an official AFH Black History Month Essay Contest certificate and an AFH swag bag.

Read His Essay

Lonnie

Black History Month Essay Topic: John Kermit Haynes

Lonnie wrote vividly about the inspiration and impact John Kermit Haynes has made on the city of Baton Rouge. Haynes is an esteemed biologist and academic administrator who is most famous for discovering methods for the detection and treatment of sickle cell anemia.

His (Haynes) story underscores the transformative power of education, mentorship, and perseverance, instilling hope and ambition in future generations as they navigate their own paths to success.
Lonnie

To read Lonnie’s essay, click here.

AFH University Service Recognition

Posted: February 23, 2024 Updated: February 23, 2024 by Hannah Bronkema

January 2024 | Student-Athlete & Team of the Month

Each month we ask our AFH University campus liaisons for nominations of student-athletes and teams who excelled in service. Through our monthly nominations, we can acknowledge all of the good our student-athletes and teams are doing in their communities.

During January, our Student-Athlete and Team of the Month award winners brought together members of their communities for great causes.

January Student-Athlete of the Month

Ashanti Tianna Turner

Our January Student-Athlete of the Month is Ashanti Tianna Turner from Bowie State Track & Field. Ashanti was nominated by her peers because of her incredible work connecting teams to service on the 2024 MLK Day of Service.

“Ashanti helped plan and execute getting volunteers for a Martin Luther King Day event on Bowie State’s campus. As SAAC President, Ashanti rallied student-athletes from various teams on campus to work in conjunction with the Nutrition Lounge (BSU food pantry) and RISE Against Hunger to package up 20,000 meals for MLK Day of Service.“

Aside from her MLK Day contributions, the senior sprinter is not new to service. She is actively involved in Bowie State’s R.A.K.E.(Random Acts of Kindness Everywhere) campus initiative which aims to spread positivity and spark continuous moments of joy for peers.

Over the summer, Ashanti participated in the 2023 Black Student-Athlete Summit, a four-day conference comprised of student-athletes, professionals, and influencers in athletics who discussed key topics that impact Black student-athletes.

During the summit she was able to discuss important topics such as Black student-athlete mental health, transitioning out of sports and Black athlete performance and success in life.

Ashanti is thrilled to be named January’s Student-Athlete of the Month and is excited to continue to propel her teammates and classmates toward service.

January Team of the Month

Clark Atlanta Women’s Basketball

The January Team of the Month is the Clark Atlanta women’s basketball team. The team was nominated by their peers for hosting a “day in the life” for children at the Harland Boys and Girls Club.

“The Clark Atlanta Women’s Basketball team hosted 15 children from the Harland Boys and Girls Club along with three chaperones and gave them a “day in the life” experience. Women’s Basketball along with the Spirit Booster Club showed the kids what a day in the life of a CAU student-athlete is like.

The kids from the club were able to spend time with the student-athletes and get to know them and ask questions about what being a collegiate athlete is like. They also spent the game with the Spirit Boosters who showed them different cheers and encouraged them to engage with fans and have fun!”

The Clark Atlanta Women’s Basketball team has historically been heavily involved in service throughout the Atlanta community, with several players helping to initiate team service projects. The Lady Panthers have participated in breast cancer research walks, read to local elementary school students, volunteered at community basketball court unveilings and more.

Aside from community service, the Lady Panthers are passionate about using their voices to make a difference. Several team members have participated in AFH University panels and Black History Month panels where they share their thoughts on topics surrounding student-athlete mental health and the Black student-athlete experience.

The Lady Panthers are excited to receive this award and recognition from their peers as they get ready for more community service this spring.