DICK’S — More Firsts
Dick’s Sporting Goods wanted to participate in Black History Month with a social campaign. We were excited about their desire to stand up and celebrate diversity and equality.
Our insight was to celebrate the many incredible firsts that were happening for the Black community, especially in sport. But to also shine a light that there need to be more firsts, more often, and earlier than they’re happening. That progress needs to rapidly continue. Even better would be the 5th, 10th or a time when a number is irrelevant because it happens so often. That would be true equality.
But in the meantime, we’ll continue to push for #morefirsts.
Every first is one step closer to equality in sports. #MoreFirsts
Many first-time Black achievements are happening within the sports industry as diversity, equity, and inclusion become a priority. It’s essential that we not only share these stories of triumph, but we work towards a future where equality is the norm. #MoreFirsts
Follow us and share as we celebrate equality in sports. #MoreFirsts
Decorated swimmer, groundbreaking athlete. In Athens — during the summer of 2004 — Maritza became the first Black woman and Afro-Latina swimmer to win silver. #MoreFirsts
After breaking ground, Maritza McClendon broke records. She became the first Black woman ever to set an American swimming record in the 100YD and 50YD freestyle. #MoreFirsts
In Athens, Maritza McClendon became the first Black and first Afro-Latina swimmer ever to medal, earning a silver in the 400M freestyle relay. She made a lane for young women just like her. We hope to see more women swim towards #MoreFirsts
In 2017, at age 14, Dallas Jones became the first Black Youth U.S. Archery Champion. #MoreFirsts
Dallas Jones, the first Black Youth U.S Archery Champion, has earned more than 35 medals in his sport from tournaments all over the country. #MoreFirsts
Dallas Jones’ accomplishment of being the first Black Youth U.S. Archery Champion has created opportunities for generations of Black archers to come. #MoreFirsts
In 2021, there are still clubs that do not have any Black or female members. Despite the obstacles and challenges that she has faced, Mariah Stackhouse realized her dream in golf. Today, she is the only Black full-time player on the LPGA Tour. #MoreFirsts
In 2014, Mariah Stackhouse became the first Black woman in history to compete on the highest level of women’s amateur competition, contending at one of the game’s most important amateur tournaments. #MoreFirsts
Mariah Stackhouse is a fresh face in the golf world. But as the only Black player on the LPGA Tour with full status, she's already changing the game at every turn. #MoreFirsts
As hockey becomes more diverse, Jordan Greenway has become a role model to young children interested in playing in the sport. In 2018, Greenway became the first African American player to play for the U.S. national ice hockey team. #MoreFirsts
After a gold medal-winning performance in 2017 against the nation's top hockey prospects, Jordan Greenway, a forward in college at that time, made the U.S. national ice hockey team at just 20 years old, becoming the first African American player ever to make the squad. #MoreFirsts
Jordan Greenway, the first African American player to play for the U.S. national ice hockey team, hopes to inspire young Black children to play hockey while also working to win a Stanley Cup® championship and end inequality within sports. #MoreFirsts
The 2021 WNBA season is in full swing and for Renee Montgomery, it will is the start of a historic new beginning. At the start of 2021, the former 4th overall selection in the 2009 WNBA draft became the first former player to become an owner and executive of a WNBA team. She previously won two championships as a player with the Minnesota Lynx in 2015 and 2017. #MoreFirsts
Renee Montgomery sat out the 2019/2020 season to focus on social justice. As the first former WNBA Player to be named Owner and Executive of a WNBA team, she’s creating a lane for a more just workplace. #MoreFirsts
Renee Montgomery lives by a slogan: Moments equal momentum. Montgomery, an owner of the Atlanta Dream, has created undeniable momentum by becoming the first former WNBA player to become an owner and executive for a WNBA team. #MoreFirsts
In 2019, The @drewcharterschool Golf Team made history by becoming the first Atlanta Public Schools team and first team comprised entirely of African-American players to win a state golf championship, capping off their historic season. #MoreFirsts
@drewcharterschool boy’s golf team, founded 17 years ago, won its first state title in Warner Robins, Georgia. They become the first team comprised entirely of African-American players to win a state golf championship. #MoreFirsts
@drewcharterschool’s golf team, located in Southeast Atlanta, is amongst a new wave of talented young Black golfers who could become future pros. In 2019, the group of boys became the first team comprised entirely of African-American players to win a state golf championship, a bond they will always share. #MoreFirsts
In 2017, the Division I championship was won by its second Black woman head coach – a woman Coach Peck had gifted a piece of her net to. This coach is also carrying on the tradition of sharing her championship net with other Black women coaches in college basketball, continuing Peck’s legacy of championing Black coaches throughout the country. #MoreFirsts
When speaking about her 1999 title, Carolyn Peck said, “When I was described as the first, that meant there was going to be a second.” The trailblazer shared a piece of her title-winning net with future championship coaches as a way to encourage a lineage future success, a gesture that has now been passed to every Black woman coach in Division I basketball. #MoreFirsts
In 1999, Carolyn Peck became the first African American to coach a team to a Division I women’s basketball national championship, leading the Purdue Boilermakers women's basketball team to glory. Coach, teacher, Icon, Peck is an exemplar of greatness. #MoreFirsts
Created with Alex Sampson & Manny Maduakolam