BERWYN, PA (May 22, 2024) – The Black-Student Athlete Summit, an annual four-day conference entering its ninth edition that brings together 1500+ student-athletes, university professionals, and industry leaders, is set to return for its second straight year on the campus of University of Southern California from May 23-26, powered by Playfly Sports, an emerging leader in the sports marketing, media and technology space. The goal of the Summit is to offer personal and professional development resources to student-athletes to make them competitive in the global workforce upon graduation, as well as foster a sense of connection within the black student-athlete community. It is that mission that is a driving force for all of the programming and is in line with the values of the brand partners that Playfly Sports has brought to the Summit over the last three years.
“The college sports landscape is constantly changing with NIL, the transfer portal, and conference realignment. This new environment can be difficult for students to navigate,” said Dr. Leonard Moore, founder of the Black Student-Athlete Summit. “Our continued partnership with Playfly helps us expose students to thought leaders and influencers from the worlds of business, law, social impact, sports, entertainment, and other fields.”
This year’s Summit will feature a variety of speakers including Baron Davis, two-time NBA All-Star, Chiney Ogwumike, ESPN host and WNBA All-Star, Teahna Daniels, 2020 Olympic Silver Medalist and Community Activist, and more, in addition to networking and career development sessions. The Summit will also include student-athlete led sessions and Pro Day, where 90 former Black student-athletes in high-profile positions share their experiences with current student-athletes.
Playfly Sports’ commitment to backing the Black Student-Athlete Summit includes not only developing mission-oriented brand sponsorships, but also includes recruitment/networking opportunities via an on-site career networking fair, assistance with website and app development, and main stage programming support, which includes a panel titled “How Not to Suck at Money: A Financial Education Conversation,” sponsored by Invesco QQQ, the Official Financial Education partner of the 2024 Black Student-Athlete Summit.
“We are thrilled to partner with the Black Student-Athlete Summit for the third consecutive year and raise awareness about meaningful opportunities for Black student-athletes,” said Christy Hedgpeth, President of Playfly Sports Properties. “At Playfly Sports, we are deeply committed to fostering an environment where Black student-athletes can thrive academically, professionally, and personally, and look forward to continuing to support this important event.”
Founded by Dr. Leonard Moore, a professor of 26 years currently teaching at the University of Texas at Austin, the Black Student-Athlete Summit was created to support Black student-athletes during their time on campus by maximizing academic and professional development opportunities. Since its inception in 2015 with 70 attendees, the Summit has experienced exponential growth. Most recently, the 2023 Summit, hosted at the University of Southern California, saw over 1,500 attendees representing 185 schools and athletic departments.
Brand partners for 2024 include: Invesco QQQ, DLA Piper, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Razorfish, NFL, Monster Energy, ZIYNX, Vitavate, Celaya Tequila, WMT, Youth to the People, Postmates, and Uncle Nearest Whiskey.
The 2024 Black Student-Athlete Summit powered by Playfly Sports will be held May 23-26, 2024 on the campus of the University of Southern California.
Registration for students and professionals can be completed here.
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About BSAS
Entering its ninth year, the Black Student-Athlete Summit (BSAS) is a one-of-a-kind, annual event focused on empowering Black Student-Athletes & Professionals across the country to maximize their college experience and their talents on and off the field. The event’s four action-packed days are filled with meaningful content, people, and networking opportunities focused on academic excellence and professional development that benefit both student-athletes and athletic department members alike. Coaches, administrators, and professors in attendance leave inspired to develop impactful initiatives at their respective campuses to ensure Black Student-Athletes are prepared to excel in the workforce upon graduation. To learn more about the Summit please visit bsasummit.org . Instagram & Twitter: @BSASummit; Facebook & LinkedIn: Black Student-Athlete Summit, Inc.
About Playfly Sports
Playfly Sports is a full-service sports marketing company operating where sports marketing, media & technology converge. Playfly Sports drives outcome-based solutions for brands reaching approximately 83% of all U.S. sports fans generating over 230bn impressions each year in pro, college, and high school sports. Utilizing the influence and durability of local sports fandom, Playfly Sports exclusive rights in the NBA, NHL, MLB, NCAA, esports, and high school sectors drive value for our local, regional, and national brand partners. Playfly’s insights-infused multimedia and tech platforms drive innovation through scaled linear, digital, in-venue, and experiential marketing and engagement assets. Playfly Sports has the unique ability to partner, innovate, and advance the aspirations of athletes, brands, academic institutions, and sports fans across the U.S. Playfly Sports is Igniting Brands through the Love of Fans. Visit Playfly Sports online at playfly.com and follow Playfly Sports on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook: @PlayflySports.
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