Combating Racism in Sports
OVERVIEW
This project explored models and promising practices to use sports as a powerful tool for promoting social cohesion while simultaneously supporting the inclusion of minorities, respect for diversity, and tolerance needed in order to strengthen civil society and democratic foundations in Spain. Participants examined approaches to address and remedy the lasting impact of racial inequality and discrimination in sports in the U.S. and visited organizations supporting awareness-raising and advocacy campaigns to combat racism in sports in local, state, and federal levels.
PARTICIPANTS
Mr. Borja BARRERAS VILLARREAL
Values Training Manager, Academy Residence, Real Madrid C.F.
Mr. Federico Manuel GARCIA SOTO
Director of the Club de Baloncesto Canarias Foundation
Ms. Ingrid HINOJOSA ALCALDE
University Lecturer, INEFC Barcelona – University of Barcelon
Ms. Zenib LAARI INOUNE
Technical Project Manager, Ibn Battuta Foundation
Ms. Laia MUNOZ BOVER
Head of Coordination and Monitoring of Sports Policies, Department of the Presidency, Regional Government of Catalonia
Mr. Salvador Jose RODRIGUEZ MOYA
Director of Canal Sur, Province of Almeria and an Expert in Racism, Doctorate in Humanities
ACTIVITIES
A single-country International Visitor Leadership Program project from Spain, "Combating Racism in Sports" was held in New Orleans from October 10-16, 2024. These leaders from Spain’s sports, media, and academic sectors explored and addressed racial inequities in sports. Participants visited the Historic New Orleans Collection, most notably viewing the “Captive State” exhibit detailing Louisiana’s history of mass incarceration. This delegation engaged with local journalists at Telemundo 42 and Jambalaya Radio, discussing the current state of equitable local sports coverage. They met with The ELLA Project, learning about advocacy initiatives for athletes and other creative economy contractors to ensure fair labor practices and treatment. Most notably, they had a hybrid Dinner Diplomacy at Pierre Maspero’s, hosted by NOLA Gold Rugby team administrator Elsie Rayon and team Co-Owner Tony Gastearl, who also runs the organization Mobilize Justice, and he galvanized the conversation centered on combating racism in sports. They established relationships to continue fostering global collaboration to combat racism in sports.
