Feb the 18 Corporate
Celebrating Black History Month
The 2022 theme for Black History Month is "February and Forever: Celebrating Black History today and every day," which focuses on recognizing the daily contributions of Black Canadians.
With this theme in mind, Volleyball Canada acknowledges and strives to uplift the diversity within the sport, recognizing that there is much work to be done to make volleyball more inclusive and equitable.
While Black History Month provides a way for Volleyball Canada and other organizations to show public support, the important, crucial work occurs behind the scenes in order to create positive, permanent change.
Volleyball Canada is working on a framework for research and implementation in this area, which is being developed with the guidance of Deloitte and is a Canadian Olympic Committee partnership.
From this, the major initiatives focused on are research and seeking data, surveys, and focus groups to determine what systemic changes are required to ensure that volleyball is accessible to all. As well, the goal is to develop strategies for engagement and inclusion using expertise and experiences of athletes, coaches, and community leaders.
Volleyball Canada stands with the volleyball and sport communities to end racism and recognizes that it’s important to listen to the voices demanding change and to educate ourselves in order to foster meaningful progress.
Please see the resources and links below that may assist those in the volleyball community who are marginalized, as well as information for all who want to be a part of the solution.
The Government of Canada’s Black History Month resource page and anti-racism resources:
o https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/black-history-month.html
o https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/anti-racism-engagement/resources.html
- Canadian Olympic Committee statement and resources on anti-racism:
o https://olympic.ca/team-canada-anti-racism-resources/
- Canadian Paralympic Committee statement, resources, and self-assessment:
o https://paralympic.ca/diversity-and-inclusion-0
- The Sport Information Resource Centre’s anti-racism resources:
o https://sirc.ca/anti-racism-resources/
- AthletesCAN Anti-Racism Educational Resources:
o https://athletescan.com/en/education/resources/anti-racism-resources
- Canadian Women & Sport February 2022 newsletter: “Intersecting Beijing Games and Black History Month Demonstrates Importance of Continued Anti-Racism Work”
- Black Canadian Coaches Association, a Black-led organization devoted to empowering Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) in the Canadian sport community through celebration, advocacy through allyship, and networking.
- Volleyball Canada’s “Safe Sport” page, which includes polices against abuse (including discrimination) and what to do if you need to file a formal complaint:
o https://volleyball.ca/en/safe-sport
- Volleyball Canada’s interview with Joely Christian-MacFarlane, discussing her coaching career and being one of the few female, Black coaches coaching at a high level in Canada
o https://volleyball.ca/en/news/coach-profile-joely-christian-macfarlane
Black history month to me is no different than any other month as I think diversity should be recognized and celebrated 365 days of the year. That being said, I do think it provides a unique opportunity to learn from, and hopefully engage with those who have embarked on similar paths or accomplished unique feats in the spaces that diversity is not always seen. With the increase in visibility it gives hope to younger generations of what they can be.
Shanice also writes a blog, where she has written about growing up as a young Black woman: https://www.shanicemarcelle.com/blog2020/2020/6/3/the-power-of-your-privilege
https://www.shanicemarcelle.com/blog2020/2020/6/29/dear-black-girl-vol-1
“As an athlete, Black History Month is an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of those that preceded us. The opportunities that we have today are in large part due to their perseverance and sacrifices. The best way that we can honour this is by striving to be the best athletes and role models for the next generation.”
- Danny Demyanenko, men’s indoor National Team athlete
- For more information, contact us.