Dr. Ty-Ron Douglas spoke at the Black Student Athlete Summit in May.
Photo by: Chanel Williams
Navigating and Celebrating Seasons is a DEIBJ Proposition
12/11/2023 2:27 PM | DEIBJ
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By: Dr. Ty-Ron Douglas
The fall semester is nearly in the books and we are halfway through the 2023-24 academic year! We celebrate the hard work and persistence of our student-athletes, staff, coaches, and administrators! Did you know that having the capacity to navigate different seasons of the academic year is a DEIBJ proposition?
The Cal Athletics DEIBJ Office with former
U.S. Olympian John Carlos.
DEIBJ Office with former U.S. Olympian John Carlos.
Each of us has pressed through the vicissitudes of the semester and I celebrate this….for those who have endured injury, sickness, transitions, and other adversity, we acknowledge your fortitude and express gratitude for how you continue to show up for our department and those who are relying on you.Â
There have been many significant things that have happened in our department this semester. I think about the accomplishments of Cal Field Hockey and the opportunity to have a front row seat of their DEIBJ journey in Bermuda and success on the field. I think of Cal Men's Water Polo's 3-peat! What a feat! I think of the fortitude that Cal Football demonstrated to secure a bowl game appearance this coming weekend. I think of the excellent performances of Cal Women's Basketball and the momentum that is building for the rest of their season. And this can be said of many, many programs and people!
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Dr. Douglas with broadcasting
colleagues Dr. Derek Van Rheenen
and Joe Starkey at a Cal soccer game.
In our DEIBJ Office, I am pleased with the growth and contributions of our DEIBJ team. I am grateful that we were able to send our largest contingent (34) to the 2023 Black Student-Athlete Summit (BSAS) and humbled that a member of our office has been recognized as the Male Professional of the Year at the BSAS for two consecutive years (Bobby Thompson in 2022 and yours truly in 2023). I am excited about our "Lifting the People Who Lift the People" video series and the cinematic brilliance of series editor Jacqlyn Jones. I celebrate the excellence of our 2023 Latinx Heritage Month efforts that were spearheaded by Ladislao Rodriguez in our office and applaud the continued growth of HAUPIAA and all our #AccelerateDEIBJ Employee Engagement Groups (EEGs). I am also grateful to have been highlighted as a Pac-12 Leader in 2023 and honored that our office hosted the legendary Dr. John Carlos this fall. I can't wait for the great things to come in 2024!
As you reflect on our departmental accomplishments and your own efforts, I hope you will do so with a renewed appreciation for the dexterity and excellence required to survive and thrive in diverse and even difficult seasons. We have much to celebrate and be grateful for.Â
I hope each of you will find time to rest during the holiday season that is upon us and find encouragement, perspective and a renewed sense of belonging.Â
