I found my way to youth development by way of youth sports and was hooked within the first 20 minutes. Not because it was easy—coaching kindergarten T-ball practice may be one of my more complex assignments to date—but because I was deeply engaging my mind and my heart at nearly every turn.

As our collective consciousness shifts, we are seeing more diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives emerge locally and nationwide. We must be brave enough to talk openly about the role of white people, and other allies, in these efforts.