Black Star is elevating soccer within Black American communities, seamlessly blending sport, lifestyle, and culture. Through strategic partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities, they are creating pathways for Black players, celebrating their cultural heritage, and fostering opportunities for personal and athletic growth—both on and off the field.
This mission resonates deeply with the spirit of HBCUs, which champion representation, opportunity, and empowerment. Black Star’s Talent ID Camps connect high school athletes with college soccer opportunities while sharing the inspiring stories of HBCU student-athletes. Together, Black Star and HBCUs are shaping skilled athletes and nurturing future leaders.
However, Black Star is more than just soccer. It celebrates Black culture through storytelling, fashion, and community engagement, aiming to inspire the next generation to excel academically and personally.
HBCU Soccer Players Share Their Experiences
A recent initiative exemplifying Black Star’s commitment is the “Our Space to Play” series, which provides a platform for HBCU athletes to share their stories. This series recently featured a member of Alabama State University’s women’s soccer team and several players from Paul Quinn College.
Our Space to Play: Kensley Simmons, Alabama State, and Soccer
In reflecting on the intertwining of soccer and HBCU pride, Kensley Simmons, a junior at Alabama State University, shared her experience as a student-athlete. For Kensley, representing her HBCU carries profound significance. “Being able to represent an HBCU, especially one my grandparents graduated from, is something that’s very important and special to me,” says Simmons.
Since the age of three, soccer has been Kensley’s sanctuary. “It just makes me feel free and very happy like I have no worries when I’m playing soccer,” she added. Her appreciation for the sport radiates as she reflects on its transformative influence on her life and identity.
Kensley’s journey underscores the power of HBCU culture and the global connections forged through soccer. It serves as a celebration of heritage, diversity, and the nurturing environment HBCUs provide for athletes to flourish.
Our Space to Play: Paul Quinn College Builds Family and Opportunity Through Soccer
At Paul Quinn College, soccer transcends being merely a game—it embodies a familial bond. The players unite from various backgrounds around their shared love for the sport and the close-knit community of their HBCU. “Playing soccer here at Paul Quinn is like a big old family,” one student expressed. “They welcomed me as a family, not just a regular student.”
The soccer program at Paul Quinn began with a single student’s vision for a soccer team, illustrating how HBCUs empower students to transform their ideas into reality.
This journey highlights these institutions’ unique role in fostering dreams, leadership, and legacies that extend far beyond the field.
Learn More About Black Star
Are you curious about how Black Star is further cultivating Black soccer culture and creating new pathways? Visit their website to discover more about their mission and explore the events they host nationwide.
You might also be interested in subscribing to End to End—their biweekly newsletter that shares both on-field news and off-field stories celebrating the intersection of soccer and Black culture through fashion, music, art, and more. Join the movement as they spotlight emerging players, celebrate unforgettable moments, and highlight the celebrities impacting soccer’s growth. Black Star is at the forefront of championing Black soccer communities and culture—from end to end.
