Join us for S2:EP41 of the Sports Philanthropy Podcast as Dr. Akilah Carter-Francique, Executive Director of the Institute for the Study of Sport, Society, and Social Change at San Jose State University, sits down with our host, Roy Kessel, to discuss her career, her passion for studying sport and society and her academic career.
Dr. Akilah Carter-Francique is currently the Executive Director of the Institute for the Study of Sport, Society, and Social Change at San Jose State University since September of 2019. Dr. Akilah is also the co-founder of Francique Sport and Education. She is a graduate of the University of Houston. During Dr. Akilah’s time at the University of Houston, She was a member of the track and field team at the university participating in 100 meter hurdles and long jump. “Sport participation and education serve as a mainstay in Akilah’s life then and now.”
The Institute for the Study of Sport, Society and Social Change mission is to be dedicated to research, analysis and education at the intersection of sport and society.
San Jose State occupies a unique niche in the history of sport and social change because of its people. San Jose State is the birthplace of the Olympic Project for Human Rights (OPHR), a movement led by Harry Edwards that culminated in the iconic protest of Olympic medalists Tommie Smith and John Carlos.
In January 2017, San Jose State University launched the Institute for the Study of Sport, Society and Social Change with a momentous town hall event featuring current and retired athletes and journalists discussing race relations in sport.
The Institute for the Study of Sport, Society and Social Change states, “SJSU’s long history of athletes, coaches and alumni who have blazed new trails and moved from words to action, make our university the natural home for such an institute.”
HIGHLIGHTS OF DR. AKILAH’S PODCAST
- 00:30 Background and Education
- 04:00 Vision of her life as an educator
- 04:30 University of Georgia work and studies
- 06:00 Focus on experience of inequalities
- 12:00 Disparate treatment of black women and men
- 23:00 Focus on culturally competent training and diversity
- 25:30 Importance of coaches focusing on coaching
- 26:45 Sister-to-sister program at Texas A&M
- 31:00 Hidden curriculum
- 40:45 Facilities arms race between universities
- 43:00 Her push to get rid of “athlete silos”
SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS AND WEBSITE
- Francique Sport and Education: https://www.franciquesportandeducation.com/services
- Website: https://www.sjsuwordstoaction.com/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/doctafrancique?lang=en
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akilah-carter-francique-9a8642110/
HERE ARE SOME ADDITIONAL WAYS TO HELP THE INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF SPORT, SOCIETY AND SOCIAL CHANGE