Institute for Sport and Social Justice

In place of our annual Power of Sport Gala, we’re going back to where it all began. You’re invited to Homecoming: Celebrating 40 Years of the Power of Sport!

This October in Boston, the Institute for Sport and Social Justice will mark its 40th Anniversary with a Reception & Power of Sport Hall of Fame Induction, honoring our founder, Dr. Richard Lapchick, for a lifetime of leadership and impact.

The evening will feature:
✨Our signature Sneaker Ball tradition (black tie + sneakers)
✨Conversations on the past, present & future of sport and social justice
✨Tributes to leaders who shaped the movement
✨Opportunities to invest in the future of our mission

Tickets and sponsorships are now available at the link in our bio or here: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/2025powerofsport/event/homecoming.

Be part of a night that celebrates courage, connection, and change—and ensures the next 40 years of impact.

Happy 80th Birthday to our founder, Dr. Richard Lapchick!

Today, we celebrate not just a birthday but a legacy. Dr. Lapchick has spent his career fearlessly fighting for civil rights, equality, and justice through the power of sport. As a human rights activist, scholar, and the visionary founder of the Institute for Sport and Social Justice, his courage and conviction have inspired generations. Quite frankly, we wouldn’t be here without him.

Thank you, Dr. Lapchick, for dedicating your life to the pursuit of equality for all. Your impact is immeasurable, and as an organization, we are committed to upholding the values you’ve championed.

Our Huddle Up team is on the ground in Phoenix this week with the Arizona Diamondbacks, facilitating leadership training for all employees and administrators. The Diamondbacks truly walk the talk—investing in their people and fostering a culture of inclusion, safety, and growth. Grateful for the partnership and excited to cheer them on during their Pride Night game!

We’re back! Our Huddle Up team is grateful for another year in the Dominican Republic with the Cubs Academy. It’s always a privilege to work alongside these dedicated young men and their families as they pursue their dreams of playing in Major League Baseball. Thank you, Liz & Randall, for being our team on the ground!

Our Huddle Up team is on the ground at !

This week, our Director of Huddle Up, Spencer Bonahoom, co-facilitated a live Huddle Talks session alongside Tori Niemann and La’Ron Haywood for an audience of over 200 student-athlete professionals. Together, they tackled some of the biggest questions facing college athletics today, from shifting policies to NCAA changes, and explored how we can continue to show up strong for our student-athletes amidst external challenges.

Grateful for the energy, honesty, and practical strategies shared in the room. Let’s keep the momentum going!

Our favorite time of the year: ’s Student Athlete Leadership Forum planning with some of Huddle Up’s best leaders. Excited for what’s the come this year.

Celebrating 20 Years of Impact! 🎉

For two decades, our Huddle Up team has been at the forefront of delivering gender-based violence prevention training at Major League Baseball (MLB)’s spring training. We’re excited to announce our 2025 partners: Atlanta Braves, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Cubs, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Los Angeles Dodgers.

These teams understand that developing players goes beyond athletic ability. They’re committed to developing leadership and fostering personal growth and responsibility, and we’re proud to support this kind of work. Here’s to continued collaboration and progress. Now, let’s play ball!

We kicked off Super Bowl LIX weekend in New Orleans with an unforgettable lineup of events!

On Thursday, we teamed up with AthLife Inc. and the 25th Annual Players Networking Event to co-host Student-Athlete Leadership Day. Nearly 200 high school athletes joined us for a day of personal development, engaging with former NFL and collegiate players dedicated to helping them thrive as leaders beyond sport.

A huge thank you to the coaches and young athletes who brought such amazing energy. The true power of sport begins with you.

Though praised today, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was widely unpopular by the American public before he was assassinated. We remember that today as we continue his fight for justice, safety and equity.

Are you going to Super Bowl LIX? We’re thrilled to invite you to our Anti-DEI Backlash in Sports and Society panel in New Orleans. This important conversation will dive into the challenges and resistance surrounding DEI initiatives, particularly in sports, and explore the progress and setbacks of these efforts.

Hear from a distinguished panel of experts who are shaping the conversation on diversity, policy, and the intersection of sports and society.

RSVP Here or at the link in our bio! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/anti-dei-backlash-in-sports-and-society-panel-at-super-bowl-lix-tickets-1137838558759?aff=oddtdtcreator

🚨 Calling All Sports Leaders! 🚨

Join the Institute team for Huddle Talks—a series of virtual, facilitated conversations designed to build community, create safe spaces for difficult conversations and provide actionable takeaways to help you, your teams and organizations effectively handle the complex challenges facing sport and society.

First Session: Wednesday, January 15 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM ET

RSVP Today! Click here or check the link in our bio.
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAvde2vqTMsHtdnfoQYIEgWs-aUkosfTaIa

As we reflect on 2024, we’re grateful for the support and generosity of our huddle. Together, we’ve propelled our programs to new heights, reached new destinations, and engaged more leaders at every level of sport. We’ve grown our team, refocused our vision and feel more grounded than ever in our belief in the power of sport to bridge divides, promote mental well-being, and foster a sense of belonging. Thank you for fueling our efforts to drive positive change!