Black Girls Cheer! The Magazine

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Join us for the FIRST-EVER USASF National Meeting experience JUST for athletes entering 9th-12th grade! This is a must-attend event for athletes who want to uncover your leadership skills, be empowered to positively impact your club and community, and gain more knowledge about the sport we all love - All Star! Our classes and mentors will inspire, educate and celebrate ALL of All Star! Come and experience:

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Networking opportunities with USASF staff, peers from other programs, All Star professionals and special guests

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A variety of speaker-led and discussion sessions

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BOLT or MARCH Leadership Workshop that qualifies attendees to apply for the Athlete Advisory Council and to present at a Regional Advisory Board meeting

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Positive Coaching Alliance Becoming a Triple-Impact Competitor® Workshop and Book

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USASF Member Recognition Celebration

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FUN with All Star friends and more!

BOLT and MARCH: August 4 • National Meeting: August 5-6 The M Resort Spa Casino • Henderson, NV 2

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Welcome to BGC The Magazine Voice & Visibility! Welcome to the next platform designed to let YOUR voice be heard.

Trending Beauty

ON THE COVER: COVER MODELS (L TO R):

ever changing, stress free make up tips to keep you glowing

ANGEL RICE, FOUNDING AMBASSADOR

Cheer Dad

LAILA HOUSTON & ADRIANA MARTIN, AMBASSADORS

“A whole new world” The adventures of a single, allstar cheer dad

PHOTOGRAPHY BY:

Nigerian Cheer Team

BRYANT ANDREWS JR., SKYLOVEIMAGES

Raising awareness for the love of cheer in a place where Cheer did not formally exist.

A Legacy to Keep, An Image to Uphold A tradition of pride and academic excellence has now translated into one powerhouse, Alumni-led program

Howard University College Spotlight a fresh new take on cheerleading at one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious historically black universities

Black Boys Cheer representation matters. Black Boys Cheer too!

The Alphas this is only the beginning…

black girls cheer — the documentary join us as we sit down with the production team to discuss the impact of this groundbreaking film.

knee deep Preventing knee injuries; Causes, Warning Symptoms And Treatment Options

Coach's Corner: Diversity and Inclusion Life is not always black and white. There are some gray areas we must navigate.

Parent's Corner: Building Confidence A parent’s prescription to building your athlete’s confidence

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LETTER PRESIDENT from the

Welcome to the first edition of BGC Magazine, our new quarterly magazine designed to show the world that black girls cheer and do so much more! It has been a long journey to get to this point. I am beyond excited and proud of what we have done. When we first started, we had no idea what this would become. Now, three years later, here we are, publishing the inaugural issue of BGC Magazine.

So, what is this all about? What is BGC all about?

Two words…VOICE and VISIBILTY! Can you imagine the frustration of a mother of a black girl who cheers that sits in cheerleading competitions for fifteen year and rarely sees imagines that looked like them? Or picking up disappointment of picking up a cheer magazine, turning the pages, and only seeing a few girls that look like you? My mantra for this movement is, “you cannot be what you do not see.” So here is an effort to close that gap. To give our girls images of themselves in various mediums.

We want our magazine to be entertaining and informative, at times controversial, but above all useful.

Inside you’ll find a mixture of news, features and regular columns on a wide range of cheer related topics. You will be introduced to black girls that cheer all around the world. You will get to learn more about the two-time Varsity Triple Crown Champions Dynasty Spirit Elite. We will head over to Nigeria to visit Lagos Cheer and see what is happening in cheer on the other side of the world.

FOUNDER + PRESIDENT

SHARITA MATHIS RICHARDSON, PHD

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS LAUREN E. GIBSON

CREATIVE DIRECTOR TERA JAMES

LEAD GRAPHIC DESIGNER RANDI RANDLE, BFA

GRAPHIC DESIGNER JESSICA SMITH

CONTRIBUTING COLUMNISTS TIFFANY GIBSON LARISSA TRAPP VERONICA BURTON MARCO WILKINSON

PHOTOGRAPHERS ARON LEE BRYANT ANDREWS JESSICA LUKE CHEMEKA TURNER HUNTER WARNER JB PHOTOGRAPHY

Black Girls Cheer is a Custom Pub of Inside Publications, LLC. All materials are copyrighted and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission.

All rights reserved.

So now it's over to you. What do you think of our new magazine? Would you like to see it in print? What do you like and what is missing? Let us know on the @ blackgirlscheer Twitter and we'll see what we can deliver in our forthcoming issues.

@BlackGirlsCheer

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@OfficialBlackGirlsCheer

/BlackGirlsCheer

INSIDE CHEERLEADING

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Search “Inside Cheerleading” in the App Store.

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Download the App and place your order.

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The current issue will download to your newstand!

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WELCOME TO BLACK GIRLS CH THE MAGAZINE!

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HEER: !

By Sharita Mathis Richardson, PhD Founder of Black Girls Cheer

n 2012, Gabrielle “Gabby” Douglas became the first black woman in Olympic history to become the individual allaround champion in women’s gymnastics. Despite her massive success, within days of her Olympic victory, Douglas found herself in the middle of a vanity-based controversy surrounding her hair. Almost three years later, famed ballerina Misty Copeland was featured in Under Armour’s “I Will Want I Want” campaign. As we witnessed her beautiful grand jeté and pirouettes, we could hear the voice of a young Copeland, reading a rejection letter received in the early stages of her career from a ballet company that includes statements like, “You have the wrong body type for ballet.” Copeland later went on to become the first African American principal ballerina at the New York City Ballet.

Even at the peak of their careers, African American female athletes still face harsh criticism based on the standardized perception of femininity and beauty.

Diversity in gymnastics, dance and cheerleading is a topic that has been hush-hush for a long time. Most would probably attest that it is often not talked about, except within the safe spaces gyms and other arenas where trusted cheer parents, close friends and family members are present. Diversity is a word that has the ability to polarize people very quickly. When it is brought up in conversation, especially in the world of social media, comments along the lines of, “So why do you need a black version, isn’t that racism?” or “I do not see color. Everyone is the same to me.” are not only commonplace but dismissive. The reality of the situation is cheerleading is a sport that is dominated

by Caucasian women. Furthermore, it is a sport dominated by middle-class, young, Caucasian women, and primarily run by older, Caucasian men and women. This lack of representation can be felt in every aspect of the sport, from placements in routines, to clashes over hair and makeup, to decisions being made at an organizational level.

In the 2010 study, “Hands on Hips, Smiles on Lips!” it is acknowledged that cheerleading reproduces radicalized gender differences. They point out the historical perceptions of cheerleading as “All-American,” which implicitly denotes white. It also asserts that “transposed to the realm of cheerleading, people of color and working-class white women are less likely to be perceived as ‘naturally’ suited to cheerleading.” It further contends that “In cheerleading, as, in so many arenas of American life, diversity is flattened out and managed by color-blind ideology, such that the difference of race and ethnicity is a difference that makes no difference; thus, certain ‘mainstream’ middle-class signifiers of femininity can cut across racial lines in the service of the generalized ‘American’ identity.”

PHOTOGRAPHY BY: ARON LEE, MINDZEYE PHOTOGRAPHY

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Young black (and other minority) women do not have many spaces within the sport where they can feel safe, validated and like they have other people that look like them who are achieving amazing feats. Oftentimes when appearing for competitions, black and brown cheerleaders are complimented on the attractiveness of their uniform or of the entertainment value of their routine and not on their technical skill. A sentiment shared among black cheerleaders and parents alike is that we have to work twice as hard to be seen as half as good. We have come a long way, but we still have an incredible distance to go in making cheerleading more diverse. Greater diversity creates a better sport for all cheerleaders.

Different cultures, races and ethnicities competing at events on all levels results in a more inclusive sport–one that is more reflective of society as a whole. Black Girls Cheer (BGC) was started in 2015 as a private Facebook group to provide that space for young cheerleaders. When this group was started, there was no space where black girls or their parents could come to celebrate their victories, discuss their tribulations (without feeling “less than”), and have a space to truly open up about the highs and the lows that come with competitive cheerleading. The group is now home to over 7,000 members and the Instagram page boasts over 90,000 followers advocating for change, diversity and inclusion in the imagery surrounding young black and minority women in this sport–as well as the implementation of education training to further support minority participants.

rld that o w e h t w o h s We will e e r ...

h C s l r i G k c a Bl e! r o m h c u m o s and

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BGC Magazine will further the mission of giving VOICE & VISIBILITY to cheerleaders of color. BGC Magazine is your all-access pass to everything ‘black cheer’, so stay tuned and join us on this journey as we explore the various nuances that make up the black experience in cheerleading.

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Cheers to Beauty with Jamie Dionne In between school, practice and competitions, keeping up with the ever-changing beauty universe can be a little tricky. Whenever you go on Instagram or YouTube, there is always something brand new and exciting to try!

How can one narrow it down? I, for one, want to know what trends will work best for my needs, since I can’t buy it all. Here’s a look at some fun trends that will make you look like a cheerlebrity on and off the sideline and mat!

For more tips and makeup looks from Jamie, visit her at JamieDionne.com and follow her on Instagram @JamieDionne

GLOW Baby, GLOW! GLOW makeup is making its way into the “must-have” makeup category. Adding liquid highlight to legs, shoulders and face can make your skin look healthier, illuminated and your powder highlight POP!

Palettes for days!

Carrying around loads of makeup is super annoying. Do away with the duffle bag of makeup and get a palette for everything you need to create the super glam look you want on the go! Palettes can be the all-in-one saving grace you need in a hurry and will keep you ready for anything. Remember, multi-purpose makeup is okay. Don’t be afraid to use an eyeshadow as a blush or highlighter or a lipstick as a crème shadow or blush or even a bronzer as a contour!

Holographic Everything!

Holographic lips, eyes, and highlight will turn heads. Have you ever seen a highlight so blinding, you need shades? If you aren’t crazy about glitter but love to shine bright like a diamond in any lighting…try this to get your shimmer on.

Inclusive Beauty Struggling to find makeup in your shade? It won’t be much longer until you don’t have that issue anymore! Broader shade ranges of various high-profile cosmetic brands have always been needed, but now companies are starting to embrace every skin tone! And it’s about time! You are important, beautiful and should be equally represented. No matter your skin tone, you can now find your perfect match!

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GLITTER done EASY!!!

I know I am not the only one that has had a glitter fiasco and lived the glitter life for days, finding my clothes and home covered in it! Sometimes loose glitter can be irritating to the skin and eyes while also being hard to apply evenly. Well, problem solved! Enter glitter liners, shadows, lipsticks and roller balls! These types of glitter are easy to apply with less mess. Hooray for stress-free glitter power!

The New

By Marco Wilkinson

d a D r e e h C m

he 2017–2018 cheer season was a big eye opener for me. I’m a single dad of an 11-yearold young lady who is hardworking, intelligent and, yes, very spoiled. For the past six to seven years. she was previously with a nationwide program that does cheer, dance and martial arts.

With that program, she practiced for one hour per week and had quarterly competitions. While I strongly felt that this program did absolutely nothing for my daughter, she enjoyed it and liked being around her friends. It came to a halt in 2016 when she expressed her desire to stop being a part of cheer. This is all new to me, so follow me along this year as we find a new program and jump back into the “cheer world”.

As a new cheer dad, I want to introduce you to my four phases of competitive cheerleading. As I mentioned earlier, I’m a single dad; My life can get pretty hectic. I’m a business owner, and I also own and coach a professional basketball team. Long hours, travel and providing monetary support, has been my role in my house. But, as a single cheer dad, I’m not looking to spend any unnecessary money either. What’s important to me is that my daughter finds a team to grow with. As a member of a close team, you should learn discipline, dedication and commitment. After asking around and researching coaches, I feel I found a good team; Coach Maddie and Coach Ryan from Hitforce Cheer in Grand Rapids Michigan.

Phase I: Tryouts

Right away, others could tell that I had a coach/ athlete background. I watched practice and was caught constructively encouraging my daughter, “Why are you standing around? Do some sprints or pushups or something!” Yes, I’m sorry. I’m ‘that dad’. I want the best for my daughter but didn’t understand why she wasn’t doing back tucks and back handsprings, too. Yes, I’m old school, where we played outside and learned to do most of that stuff on our own and with our friends. So, when the coach told me that my daughter’s focus should be getting her cartwheel and walkover, my response was, “Cartwheel? Um, no, she’ll be flippin’ in no time!” She’s always outside playing with the kid across the street. What are they doing while they’re playing? I guess they need some coaching on what playtime should consist of.

That first day was awesome. Actually, my daughter said she did more one that one night with this new team than she’d ever done in all of her previous six years of cheer with that other organization. Hearing that got me excited and looking forward to the practices to come. This is the beginning of practicing for four nights a week for three-and-a-half hours per night; leaving the last day of the week for tumbling practice.

Stay tuned as I introduce you to the next phase: Phase II: The Money and The Cheer Moms.

To Be Continued …

ARON LEE, MINDZEYE PHOTOGRAPHY

Tryouts for us were a little scary. We have never been with an all star cheer team before and didn’t know what to expect. Again, coming from a totally different type of cheer atmosphere, I looked for something more involved and a team that would push my daughter. We agreed to go to the first day of tryouts and, together, make our decision after that.

As we walked into the gym, right away I got that “new guy” feeling. All the moms standing and sitting together, indulged in conversations about their daughters and what they’ve been doing. In the parking lot, I could tell from the Range Rovers and Mercedes that these women were probably wealthy, but that certainly didn’t bother me. It wasn’t long before Coach Maddie recognized me and came over to talk to me about tryouts and how they would go. Maddie had been on a team that won Worlds, and she was known for having a successful program. This was her first time having teams in the area.

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By Igiebor Samuel, Lagos Cheer Nigeria The 2018 Battle of the Champions School Cheerleading Championship was held in 2018 in Nigeria. This is the first time a cheerleading competition was ever organized in Nigeria. Battle of the Champions (BOC) 2018 took place at the American International School Lagos on June 2, 2018. The competition was organized by Lagos Cheer Nigeria in collaboration with the American International School. The BOC is slated to be an annual cheerleading competition, where teams are allowed to showcase their skills. The primary aim of the championship is to display the inherent talent of cheer athletes in Nigeria and create awareness of the sport of cheerleading, fostering teamwork, team spirit and athleticism among various teams.

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The Competition's Objectives are: To create awareness about cheerleading in Nigeria.

To encourage more involvement and participation in the sport of cheerleading.

To encourage teamwork.

BOC received many entries for both the coed and all girl divisions, but only had nine teams make it through the initial tryout and screening. The competition’s mission is to organize regular championship events in Nigeria. BOC was a huge success and completed its mission in 2018. We hope to build off of this success in 2019 and beyond.

Lagos Cheer Nigeria is a non-profit organization that is affiliated with Caman (The Cheerleading and Majorette Association of Nigeria) and continues to raise and train cheerleaders in Nigeria.

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A Legacy to Keep,

by Lauren E Gibson

“ All the way from 3450 Benjamin E. Mays Drive…”

The lights, the band, the fans and the cheerleaders holding down the sideline as the roaring sounds of Lakewood Stadium echo throughout the community; this is your typical Friday night during football season. But the Mays High School varsity cheerleading team is more than a powerhouse sideline team. They have proven to be quite the formidable competitive foe at the state level, competing in the Georgia High School Association (GHSA), and consistently placing in the top 10 at the state finals over the last few years.

Benjamin E. Mays High School opened its doors in 1981. The relatively young school, situated in the heart of southwest Atlanta, has always been known for its academic rigor and strong alumni association. It did not always have a longstanding reputation for its athletic teams, let alone its cheerleading program.

The Mays High School cheerleading program has always thrived as a result of traditions passed down from the alumni that came back to give to their alma mater. It is from those experiences that alumna Dana Stiles Booker was called to return to her old stomping grounds to help take the program she loved to the next level.

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An Image to Uphold

Booker assumed the role of head coach after graduating in 2000. With a dynamic coaching staff that included fellow alum Tiffany Davenport Aiken–and USASF credentialed Jennifer Jones, who joined the staff in 2012–the Mays High School Varsity cheerleading program has been able to reach truly incredible heights.

What makes this team so remarkable is its diversity in experience.

Many of these athletes had little to no competitive experience when they joined the team.

This program isn’t stacked with athletes that are cross-competing on all star teams and have already had years of specialized training–in turn giving them an added advantage at the state level. Any qualified student with the heart and will to be successful has the opportunity to be a member of this team.

The road to this program’s success hasn’t been an easy one.

It has taken years of consistency among the coaching staff, providing access to training for athletes and continuing to raise the bar as athletes progressed.

“Every year we had something new to accomplish,” says Ashley Powell. “My freshman and sophomore year, we had a goal to win regionals. Then we won and made it to the first day of state. So, the next year we had to win and make it to the second day of state. Then, the next year we didn’t win regionals, but we made it to the second day of state and placed eighth at

finals, which was amazing.”

The one thing that ties these athletes together is their drive and passion for the sport as they navigate this space–being black girls that cheer. “ Joining the Mays Varsity cheerleading team gave me a hunger.” says recent graduate Rodrea Arnold, who was a member of the varsity team all four years of her time at the school.

“ It is empowering being on a team with athletes that look like me.” says Kayla Wilson.

“ People doubt us as soon as we come in. This sport is not dominated by black people and winning shows others that we are capable,” says Taylor Bell.

Mays High School has continued its tradition of excellence, which has now translated to its notable cheerleading program. This is all thanks, in large part, to its the alumni who once walked its hallowed halls and decided to invest in the next generation. The leaders of the Mays High School varsity cheerleading team provide opportunities for those that are passionate, holding its athletes to a higher standard while doing it all with grace and excellence.

U

JESSICA LUKE

“ We are making a statement every time we go to a competition.”

- Rodrea Arnold

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Howard University:

College Spotlight

by Sharita Richardson, PhD

B

lack Girls Cheer had the opportunity to talk with Howard University’s head cheerleading coach, Marc Brooks, to learn more about and gain insight into the well-known program.

Although he is new to Howard, Brooks’ cheerleading experience spans over 16 years. He has coached at various levels of the sport, including prep, high school and a short stint at George Washington University.

Brooks, who hails from central Illinois, found his way to the Washington, D.C. area via the military. After looking at several other universities, he landed at Howard, where he hopes to build a strong competitive team that features a blend of their signature stomp-and-shake style mixed with traditional cheerleading.

Brooks’ vision for the team is to have them compete again, since the team has not competed in almost five years.

The passionate coach understands that this is not a task that can be accomplished overnight, but, rather, baby steps will have to be taken. His first order of business is to begin with properly conditioning the team and getting them used to performing again. He plans to allow the team to perform or possibly exhibition at some local competitions.

Brooks said the current team is a diverse mixture of girls from all types of backgrounds; some of the athletes have never cheered, while others have a background in all star.

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Brooks’ coaching philosophy is that cheerleading is not just about cheering.

It’s about coaching the person through cheerleading and building the person first, using the sport of cheerleading as the challenge to help them grow.

Brooks says that sometimes it's easy to become caught up in winning, but there’s a lot more to winning than just the titles. When asked what his advice is for cheerleaders and parents who are thinking about cheerleading in college, Brooks says, first and foremost, pick a school that is best for you academically, and then look into the cheerleading program.

crowd responds to, but he would like to incorporate crowd leading cheers to get more crowd involvement.

He believes individuals need to understand who they are as students and athletes before finding a program to match. For example, if one is a very competitive cheerleader, then they should look for teams that are more competitive. If they have more experience in sideline cheerleading, they should look for programs that focus more on sideline.

When asked what Black Girls Cheer means to him, Brooks states that cheerleading has not been a sport where African Americans have dominated at the highest levels. African Americans have not been as visible, but Black Girls Cheer highlights African American athletes at their best. This will not only impact cheerleading at all levels, including all star and college, but he also feels like it will influence coaching. Brooks believes that the more people see African Americans in coaching positions–when they normally don’t see it–there will be a larger interest in it, resulting in growth for the sport.

Although he doesn’t have a lot of experience in the stomp-and-shake genre of cheerleading traditionally practiced

by Howard University, as well as other Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), he is willing to learn. He understands that the crowd responds well to stomp-and-shake, but there should also be a balance between different styles of cheerleading. Brooks states that he doesn’t want to change what the

When asked if he had a magic wand that could grant one cheer wish, what would it be? Brooks wished for complete support from the administration at Howard. When that happens, he believes everything else he needs will follow. For himself, personally–although he has coached in the past–Brooks considers this his first year coaching in the collegiate arena. He wants to build as many contacts as he can in this time, especially in the African American community.

We look forward to following Brooks and his journey and hope to catch up with him in the future as we follow the journey of Howard University’s cheerleading team.

INSTAGRAM: @HOWARDCHEER

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e are writing to introduce ourselves; We are Black Boys Cheer. We were founded in 2018 at The Cheerleading and Dance World Championships.

This is significant because this event is the pinnacle of competitive cheer in America and for some, the World, so we had lots of new eyes watching our emergence. We went live on various social media apps, likeInstagram, Twitter, Snapchat, and, of course, our all-inclusive Facebook group “Official Black Boys Cheer.” We encourage and invite any supporters black boys who cheer to join our group.

ing, tumbling, stunting and who you have already dance. seen set an example.

In Black Boys Cheer, you will find a hub of support, love and guidance–no matter what or how you define yourself. Labels are just labels, but whatever labels you may be associated with, we have a home for you here with us.

Finally, this year, we are focused on the three ships: mentorship, leadership and scholarship!

For applicants that are not accepted into our ambassador program, we are creating a mentorship “Big Brother” program.

We do not want to conThis year, we are focused tribute to the growing on hosting continuous number of outlets telling camps, clinics and choour boys that they are reography sessions. We not good enough. What have a handful of admin- we do want to promote is istrators who all play a vital that we are interested in role in the group’s growth. helping mold and guide We are quickly connectthem as young men until ing professional black the next application talent with programs of all period. Leadership is backgrounds to promote going to be a recurour passion, livelihood and ring theme throughWe owe a great deal of mission. Aside of ongoing out the entirety of appreciation to Black training services, we are our existence. We Girls Cheer, because they building a foundation on want our ambassawere the first to create a community service. dors, big brothers group of this kind. Race and supporters to in America is often a difWe are creating an amassume a position ficult or uncomfortable bassador program for our of leadership in the conversation for most, but boys to have leaders and group–and in life. it does not have to be. peers to guide one anThe best way we We all have friends and other. Our ambassadors can help them is to family members of differwill promote and reprepromote higher eduent backgrounds, which sent our brand as well cation for them and is what makes us unique as recruit and help build others. and beautiful. Branching strong coed programs in off to create Black Boys and outside of their own We have begun to conCheer was much easiprograms. One of the best nect and create working er than beginning from tools for growing our sport, relationships with colleges scratch. There was alespecially where boys are all over the U.S. We look ready a group of its kind, concerned, is exposure! forward to partnering with and we are, ‘the male When other boys of color some great organizations counterpart’, or ‘brother see other boys of color kill- along the way, and ,most brand’. We are here to ing the cheer game, they importantly, becoming promote and uplift all boys will want to try to do the the change that we seek. and boys of color through same. You can more read- There are great things to competitive cheerleadily become like someone come.

Best Wishes,

Black Boys Cheer

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The End of the Beginning ALPHA

FIRST

BEGINNING

ORIGIN

GENESIS

It was in their visibility on the World stage–as a result of their outstanding physical talent and bold looks–that other athletes of color found counterparts that they could identify with. With Lawson’s bold, red hair and sassy dance style and Rice’s incredible tumbling which earned her the nickname ‘The Queen of Tumbling’, athletes of color were empowered to own their uniqueness and saw what was possible for them. But, as all good things do, Lawson and Rice’s time on the mat was coming to an end. Both cheerleaders were transitioning away from all star cheer as they began to grow and find themselves on respective journeys beyond the mat. These athletes made such great headway in changing the stereotypical image of the cheerleader, that the movement had to continue. The impact of the increased visibility of black girls that cheer couldn’t stop with them.

The ambassador program was birthed out of the Black Girls Cheer movement as a means to ensure that athletes were able to continue to see themselves represented. The goal of the ambassador program is to have a group of young ladies with diverse appearances, backgrounds and experiences that are the face of the organization, helping to drive the mission of giving voice and visibility to athletes of color.

Through the ambassadorship program, The Alphas (the inaugural ambassadors) have been able to represent the organization by helping to saturate the online sphere with positive images of black athletes. They have also continued to ensure the visibility of black athletes by participating in a number of partner photoshoots and campaigns.

More athletes are seeing greater representation of themselves in spaces where they were once scarce. Furthermore, athletes have been empowered to apply for opportunities so that their own voices can be heard. Recently, Black Girls Cheer welcomed the Rookie Ambassadors and two new tiers of representatives; The Champions and The Collegiate League. The next year of the ambassador program promises to be the best one yet as this group, along with The Alphas, continue to help shift the cheerleading world to be inclusive and representative of all that bear the title of ‘cheerleader’.

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DREWSHOTYOU, CHEMEKA TURNER, IMED DESIGNS

Founding Ambassadors Angel Rice and Marci Lawson blazed the way for the movement that has now become Black Girls Cheer!

You cannot be what you do not see.

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Lessons Learned from Behind the Scenes of the Black Girls Cheer Documentary

By Dr. Sharita Mathis Richardson

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Emmy nominated director Ben Vogel and producer Morgan Carnevale have had the opportunity to work with celebrities from Chance the Rapper, Dwayne Wade, Jay-Z and none other than the queen bee herself, Beyonce, just to name a few. The work through their production company Home Alone Studios has produced award winning pieces such as their most recent hit Shot in the Dark. So, when Black Girls Cheer was presented with the opportunity to capture that story as well as spotlight the Triple Crown Champions, Dynasty Spirit Elite Red Flames, moving forward with this once in lifetime opportunity was a no brainer.

Mark Biondi, Chief Growth Officer for BGC fundraising partner Double Good, knew that this was the kind of story that needed to be shared with the world. While one may expect this film would leave a lasting impression on viewers, what was unexpected is how bringing this story to life impacted those involved in its creation. BGC Magazine had the opportunity to sit down with the production team to discuss what they learned from behind the cameras of Black Girls Cheer.

You Can Not Be What You Do Not See: Although things like hair styles and makeup may seem superficial, for a young, impressionable girl, self-image is important. Self-esteem and awareness in young women are often shaped by the experiences related to these things during adolescence. Mark shares with the BGC Magazine team that as a parent with a teenage daughter, he was better able to identify with some of her lived experiences as a result of participating in the creation of this film. “I realized how important it is to feel like you belong,” said Mark. “Through BGC, girls can see themselves and know that what they want to do is possible.”

Code-switching: We all have modified ways in which we interact with the people we encounter on a daily basis. What we deem appropriate behaviors or context of conversation among some social circles may not always work for others; so, we adjust. When code-switching, many people make small, unconscious adjustments while others make more purposeful changes in an effort to better fit in to a particular group. This is especially common in situations where race or culture is a limiting factor. “Code-switching was a big realization for me.” said Morgan.

“I think about the way that I grew up in a predominantly white community and how I communicate with friends from my past.”

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Conversations Are Powerful: Stories of people helping people are important and necessary to share. It affirms that there is still good in the world. This film is meant to serve as the vehicle to share the story of people helping people and to operate as a catalyst to conversation and inevitable change.

Mark added, “it is powerful to enter conversations with the intent to learn and heal; not to be right or wrong.” He continues, “this draws us together as human beings when we are able to connect on the things that bring us together and drive us apart.”

Love Wins: Black Girls Cheer was founded on the principles of integrity, love and service. In fact, born by passion, united by love was the original BGC mission statement. The goal of Black Girls Cheer has always been to give a voice to those that didn’t feel heard and to provide visibility for athletes that rarely get to see cheerleaders that look like them.

It’s time to have a conversation; but it is equally time to lead with love and compassion as opposed to judgment and criticism. “Things are changing because of BGC,” said Mark. “You can overcome anything with a positive viewpoint,” stated Ben. “BGC is closing the gaps in a very positive, loving and celebratory way.”

Who I Want to Be in the World: One of the most important reaffirmations for the production team was a renewed sense of how they would like to impact the world.

“These are the kinds of stories I want to tell,” said Ben Vogel. “Filming this project helped me realize that.” The Home Alone Studios team recently decided to make a big career shift and are now working full time for Double Good. Morgan and Ben recently accompanied Mark and the rest of the Double Good team to their first USASF World Championships. Double Good is a sponsor of the USASF Scholarship as well as the annual Exceptional Athlete Gala held during Worlds weekend. “Double Good has always been about people helping people,” says Mark. “This was a very natural decision to make,” stated Mark on the decision to work with the Home Alone Studios team on a more permanent basis. It’s safe to say that this dynamic team is only getting started and we can’t wait to see what they have in store!

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and athletes to protect those knees?

Knee Injury Prevention according to Healthy Children

ARON LEE, MINDZEYE PHOTOGRAPHY; HUNTER WARNER, FIERCE FOTOGRAPHY

Ensure your Gym has the Right Equipment The American Association of Cheerleading Coaches & Administrators (AACCA) recommends using mats or a soft, even surface when learning new skills as well as during competition.

Fitness is a Must Athletes should maintain a good fitness regime year-round. Strength training is important and necessary. Preseason training should allow time for general conditioning and sport-specific conditioning. Also, it’s important to perform proper warmup and cool down exercises.

Cheerleading is a female-dominated sport that brings athleticism and glamour to the forefront… as well as injuries. Knee injuries are frequently experienced by athletes of all ages. Sports like cheerleading that are considered a ‘jumping’ sport result in a higher number of knee injuries. According to recent research presented by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the rise in knee injuries in athletes from ages 6 to 18 have increased 2.3% annually over the past 20 years. (2) “Females had significantly higher incidence rates except in 17- to 18-yearolds. ACL injuries in girls peaked at age 16, with 392 ACL tears per 100,000 persons per year. ACL injuries in boys peaked at age 17, with 422 ACL tears per 100,000 persons each year. (1-3).” With this alarming rise in ACL injuries, what can we do as parents

Informed and Educated Coaches It is important for coaches to be experienced and familiar with the rules. Cheerleaders are less likely to be injured if their coach has completed a coaching class such as from the AACCA Safety Course, has more than one year of coaching experience and has a college degree. All coaches should be familiar with the National Federation of High School’s guidelines, which include restrictions on basket tosses, pyramid heights and twisting/flipping stunts.

Also, all coaches leading a competition cheer team should be familiar with U.S. All Star Federation (USASF) safety regulations.

Spotters are an Important Part of the Team All cheerleaders should be trained to prop-

erly spot. Spotters assist or catch the top person in a partner stunt or pyramid. Make sure to invest time to properly train each of your athletes in spotting, even if they may not take on that role at the moment. Proper supervision and spotting should be available at all practices and competitions.

Emergency Plan Education and Awareness Teams should develop and practice an emergency plan so that team members know their roles in emergency situations. This plan should include first aid and emergency contact instructions. All members of the team should receive a written copy each season. Parents should also be familiar with the plan and review it with their children.

If your athlete happens to sustain an injury to the knee, practice RICE immediately (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation).

Make sure your cheerleader is evaluated as soon as possible following the injury. Follow doctor’s instructions and participate in appropriate therapy to get them back to the sport they love. It will be a long road, but immediate treatment can improve chances of healing instead of exacerbating the injury and healing process.

Happy, Healthy Cheerleading!

Tiffany Gibson is the mother of a cheerleader who has participated in the sport for eight years. She is a clinical educator for athletic training students and an active family and women’s health nurse practitioner.

1.

Beck NA, Lawrence JT, Nordin JD, Defor TA, Tompkins M. ACL tears in school-aged children and adolescents over 20 years. Pediatrics. 2017; 139(3):

2.

Care of the Young Athlete Patient Education Handouts (Copyright © 2011 American Academy of Pediatrics)

3.

Dharamsi A, LaBella C. Prevention of ACL injuries in adolescent female athletes. Contemporary Pediatrics. July 2013.

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COACH'S CORNER:

Diversity and Inclusion is NOT a Black and White Topic

By Veronica W. Burton, Owner, Crimson Heat All Stars So often when the topics of diversity and inclusion come up, especially in the Sport of Cheerleading, people become immediately uncomfortable because they associate these terms solely with race and ethnicity when in fact, these two important topics are about acknowledging and embracing the value of the many characteristics brought to the sport by all of those who participate in the sport. While race is an important characteristic, there are additional characteristics such as identity of gender and sexual orientation as well as disability that also must be considered in the diversity and inclusion dialogue.

More and more we hear the leaders of the All-Star Community speak about recruiting and retaining athletes so that we can continue to evolve, grow and sustain participation. Yet, so often, in the marketing collateral, training videos, competition memory videos, social media stories and posts about All Star Cheer, we don’t see all characteristics equally represented. As a result, we have begun to see the birth of online communities and social media groups centered around giving a voice and

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sense of belonging to those who possess these characteristics and feel underrepresented or even overlooked in mainstream cheer. For example, Black Girls Cheer, was established to provide a platform to give voice and visibility to cheerleaders of color. The group has amassed over 51K followers

in its brief two-year history signifying the important need to give greater visibility to cheerleaders of color in the sport.

In an era where hearts, likes, follows, re-tweets and shares are essential to the consumers of our sport, it is imperative that we find ways to ensure that all the characteristics of those consumers

are highly visible and widely celebrated. That’s one of the critical keys to unlocking the doors to growth and sustainment of the sport we all love.

The athletes need to see themselves! They need to see those who look like them represented and celebrated at all levels of our sport.

Beyond the social media, marketing and recruitment campaigns, we must also consider the representation of those characteristics on the judging panels and advisory boards as well as at the leadership and governance tables defining the policies and rules that orchestrate the future direction of our sport. They need a seat at the table sharing their unique needs and ensuring that their interests are represented.

Event Producers and Gym Owners must make the diversity dialogue an essential component of their operations. People are far more likely to participate in a sport when they feel valued and have their unique contributions acknowledged, included and celebrated. Bottom line…Diversity and Inclusion is not a black and white topic… it is a business imperative that is essential to industry growth and ultimate industry sustainment.

PARENT 'S CORNER:

BUILDING CONFIDENCE

By Larissa Trapp

Is your child confident?

At times, a lack of confidence creeps up on all of us. I recently ran across an article in Psychology Today that had some tips on building confidence and wanted to share.

These are helpful, especially for cheerleaders due to the differences in skills, body type, hair and more. Keep in mind the following tips to help focus on mind, spirit and body at all times:

ARON LEE, MINDZEYE PHOTOGRAPHY

Make Three Lists:

One of your strengths, one of your achievements and one of the things that you admire about yourself. Why is this important? It allows you to be reminded of all the qualities you already possess. You’re always improving, but there are many things that you have already achieve—many great things that make you who you are.

Mind

1

Think positively about yourself. Positive thoughts do wonders for the mind and spirit. To establish this habit will make practices and competitions easier.

Spirit

2

Eat good food as part of a healthy, balanced lifestyle. When the body is nourished, the mind is nourished. I purposely changed the word diet to lifestyle because the word diet is often seen as temporary. Cheerleaders should always aim for a balanced lifestyle.

Body

Ensure that you are getting enough sleep. Tiredness = irritability = crankiness = bad attitude = insecurities = lack of confidence. Enough sleep allows the mind, spirit and body to rest and rejuvenate.

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“ Don’t aspire to be Aspire to be the b

–Unknown

e the best on the team. best the team.”

FOR

f

PHOTOGRAPHY BY: ARON LEE, MINDZEYE PHOTOGRAPHY