New Black-Owned Soccer News Outlet Launched “Perfect Soccer”
“We are here to make measurable changes not only in Major League Soccer but also in our communities.”
Quincy Amarikwa – Black Players Coalition of MLS
As global soccer stands up to fight racism, Toronto FC defender Justin Morrow is stepping up and has helped organize the Black Players Coalition of MLS. Officially launched on Juneteenth, the organization aims to address racial inequalities in MLS, fight racism in soccer, elevate Black voices and positively impact Black communities across the USA and Canada.
More than 70 black Major League Soccer players have formed the Black Players Coalition (BPC) of MLS.
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Black Players Coalition of MLS has secured $75,000 in charitable contributions and the board members are Philadelphia Union defender Ray Gaddis, Chicago Fire forward CJ Sapong, former D.C. United forward Quincy Amarikwa, FC Cincinnati defender Kendall Waston, Portland Timbers forward Jeremy Ebobisse, New York City FC goalkeeper Sean Johnson, D.C. United goalkeeper Bill Hamid, Nashville SC defender Jalil Anibaba, Colorado Rapids forward Kei Kamara, Minnesota United defender Ike Opara, D.C. United goalkeeper Earl Edwards Jr and Toronto FC Justin Morrow
According to the BPC’s site, one of their first steps in “leadership and commitment to amplifying black players’ voices is through announcing our organization on the black-owned soccer news outlet, Perfect Soccer.
Read the full MLS info
Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.
For more information on the organization and for regular updates, the Black Players Coalition can be followed online, on Twitter and Instagram.
Black Players Coalition Statement
On this memorable day in American history commemorating the news of the Emancipation Proclamation reaching the last remaining slaves in Texas, we honor Juneteenth by announcing the formation of The Black Players Coalition of MLS. This is a new organization that will address the racial inequalities in our league, stand with all those fighting racism in the world of soccer, and positively impact black communities across the United States and Canada.
We pledge to help bridge the racial equality gap that exists in our league by lobbying for initiatives like implicit bias training, cultural education courses, and diversification hiring practices. Beyond addressing these overlooked systemic issues around soccer in this country, the BPC is committed to tackling the racial injustices that have prevented black people from having an equitable stake in society. Among the many goals we will strive to achieve in our black communities, some will include targeted spending, educational advancement initiatives, and mentorship programs.
So far, over 70 black players in MLS have come together to tackle these issues. Our board members are Ray Gaddis, CJ Sapong, Quincy Amarikwa, Kendall Waston, Jeremy Ebobisse, Sean Johnson, Bill Hamid, Earl Edwards Jr, Jalil Anibaba, Kei Kamara, Ike Opara. Justin Morrow will serve as our executive director.
Although we are a stand alone organization, we are working in partnership with the MLSPA and MLS on racial issues, aforementioned initiatives, and charitable donations. So far, the Black Players Coalition of MLS has secured $75,000 in charitable contributions by the MLS Players Association on behalf of the Coalition.
As we celebrate Juneteenth and the coming together of our coalition, we must remind ourselves that such progressivism was once met with vehement backlash. May this reminder serve as a warning to us all that confronting systemic racism head-on will never be a smooth, constantly upward trending path, but rather a timeless battle that will force us to reinvent the very essence of our institutions. We hope our organization can be an extension of our ancestors’ sacrifice for the next generation to live in a more equitable society as we seek to forge our own path forward under one united voice.
Lastly, we’d like to acknowledge all the other professional athletes standing up against racism.
We see you and you empower us. Whether you happen to be singing this tune alone, or supported by a group, we want you to know that we are with you.
We are here to fight this battle together.
We will be heard.
MLS supports Black Players Coalition
Major League Soccer has also pledged to support the Black Players Coalition in a public statement that follows below.
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