As part of ACC Spring Unity Week, the Virginia Tech Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) hosted a "Unity Through Awareness" panel Monday night inside Cassell Coliseum.
The panel included one Tech student-athlete, as well as student leaders from across campus. Their message emphasized how to move from "awareness to action" in promoting social and racial justice, equality and unity.
The panel discussion was moderated by Virginia Tech SAAC president and men's soccer student-athlete, Kahlil Dover. Panelists included:
Senija Davis, Black Organizations Council
Danny Robertson, Hokie Pride
Mohamed Hussein, president of the Muslim Student Union
Timi Adams, Men's Soccer student-athlete
Gallery: (4-18-2022) Unity through Awareness Student Leadership Panel
Topics covered included advocacy for social and racial justice, social media's impact on change, role models the panelists look up to, understanding our prejudices, transitioning from bystanders to allies, and mental health.
"The purpose of the discussion we had with the panel tonight was to evoke these conversations, to get people uncomfortable, and with that, we were hoping our panelists would be transparent and really vulnerable," Dover said. "Thankfully, they came out and put on a show and were really able to talk about some tough topics, but also talk about some things they would like to see changed at Virginia Tech."
The free event, which was open to the Virginia Tech and New River Valley communities, served as a continuation of SAAC's efforts to continue raising awareness and taking action on social and racial injustices. In October 2021, the group hosted a Unity Walk around campus to raise awareness for social justice and included Tech student-athletes, coaches and administration.
"I think it was a great way to bridge the gap between student-athletes and the rest of the student body," Dover continued. "We had a diverse panel on stage. I'm glad people came out on this rainy Monday and were able to keep the conversation going."
Throughout the remainder of Unity Week, Hokie student-athletes will have the opportunity to watch "The Loyola Project" film and participate in a discussion following the film. Virginia Tech is one of a limited number of schools across the country chosen to screen The Loyola Project film as part of the 63 for 63 Screening Series presented by Northwestern Mutual. The Virginia Tech Athletics Diversity and Inclusion Council will be hosting the screening.
The Loyola Project is an independently produced documentary film by O'Malley Creadon Productions about the Loyola University Chicago men's basketball team, which won the 1963 NCAA Championship. The team featured four Black players in the starting lineup during an influential time of the civil rights movement, and overcame extreme racism both on and off the court.
Admission is free but space is limited. Those interested in attending the screening should RSVP using the following link: https://bit.ly/3603cHs. To learn more about The Loyola Project and to see a short trailer, click here.
The Virginia Tech Athletics Diversity and Inclusion Council is an eight-member committee which includes student-athletes, coaches, and staff tasked with cultivating departmental initiatives designed to increase awareness and promote the importance of diversity.
