Black History Month Conversation Series
In our newest Conversation Series, we highlight and celebrate Black History Month. During the month of February, we will highlight and celebrate a number of Region IV’s professionals that identify as Black or African American.
Episode 2 | Demetria Young and Jon Randle
In this competitive sports-themed second episode of our Black History Month conversation series, we chat with Jon Randle, Assistant Director of Intramural Sports at the University of Kansas, and Demetria Young, Coordinator of Sport Clubs and Camps at Louisiana State University. During this conversation, Jon and Demetria share their experiences in our field as Black professionals.
While many in campus recreation are in this field to impact students and aspiring professionals, Jon and Demetria each discussed their experiences in showing students of color the opportunities. When asked about working with Black students and/or professionals, Jon shared this:
I really value those opportunities to, I don’t know if mentor is the right word but, when I get a chance to work with students of color, specifically a Black student. My number one objective is to prove to them, and to reiterate to them, that they matter on this campus. They can do anything that they want to do, and anything that they set their mind to. They’re going to have to work harder than anyone else, that’s just a reality of the situation. I’ll be there fighting with them, right beside them, in front of them at times and behind them at times.
Demetria reflected on her experience working with Black student staff members:
When I got to my graduate assistant(ship) at Indiana State, it was more hours, it was more time, it was more energy and focus. And, with that, the students that we had, they looked like me, but I didn’t realize that the reason that they stayed, and the reason that they were involved in our program so much was because of me until a couple of them came to me and were like, “Demetria, I feel safe. I feel comfortable. I feel like you have my best interest at heart. Like I can come to you and talk to you about anything.”
After sharing a few mentors and role models, we asked Jon and Demetria to provide some advice for young black professionals, as well as some action items for non-black folks. Jon shared the following remarks:
(A young Black professional) can either use their identity, however they choose to identify, as either a crutch or as a catalyst. Anybody who’s a minority, especially if you’re Black, we’ve all been there before where you walk in a room and everybody (turns around to look at you), because you’re the only Black person in the room. Those moments are unfortunate. So you can use them as a crutch and say “Why’s everyone doing that to me? I don’t fit in here. I don’t belong here. I need to leave here.” Or you can use it as a catalyst, and say “Wow, everybody’s looking at me. Now’s my opportunity to prove to everybody that, not only do I deserve to be here, but I’m going to make meaningful contributions to this room and this organization. And I promise you that nobody’s going to forget that I was in this room today.”
What I would challenge my white colleagues and white friends is, first and foremost, that (marginalized identities) exist. We don’t necessarily say it all the time…but as long as we can understand that, and begin from that perspective and that vantage point, then we can start getting into, “Okay, we’ve identified it. Now let’s identify the root causes, and identify how we’re going to navigate successfully through those challenges.”
Demetria provided this insight:
(As a young Black professional,) never feel like you’re an outcast just ’cause you look different. You’re there for a reason…the imposter syndrome is normal. It happens to everyone at some point, so it’s important that you just stay focused and that you know what you’re worth. Remind yourself of that every day.
I’m an action-oriented person. Don’t tell me you’re an ally; show me. Be action-oriented. Don’t tell me “I’m an ally. How can I help you?” No. Treat me just like you would anyone else. Show me that I matter just as much as the next person.
To connect with our participants, feel free to connect with Jon and/or Demetria.
About Black History Month
Black History Month is the annual celebration of achievements by Black and African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Also known as African American History Month, the event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans in the early 1900s. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month.
