Our Mission
STRENGTH, UNITY,
ADVANCEMENT
Black Coaches United strives to foster more diverse, equitable, and inclusive environments – in our sport and in our communities – through training, mentoring, and advocacy on behalf of black athletes, coaches, and administrators.
The members of Black Coaches United represent considerable reach and following, and will use their platforms – individually and collectively – to advocate for change and speak out against racism and inequity in the sport of basketball and beyond.
The BCU will provide training, mentoring and advocacy for coaches at all levels: from grassroots and high school basketball to college basketball, the NBA, and the WNBA.
This organization enables coaches to better connect with, educate, and empower young athletes of color by fostering the next generation of social justice advocates – within basketball and in life.
We are committed to building professional relationships by connecting basketball coaches to a supportive community while providing opportunities to elevate their careers by collaborating with athletic administrators, search firms, and hiring managers.
Our Approach
Empower
The BCU will expand the overall population of head racial and ethnic minority coaches by working with colleges, universities, search firms, private clubs, and conferences to promote, identify and hire racial and ethnic minority coaches for top leadership positions, at all levels of coaching.
The BCU members will use their platform to strengthen ties to their communities. Annual programs will facilitate stronger connections with community leaders, citizens, and law enforcement that break down barriers and foster better teamwork.
Educate
The BCU will manage a mentorship program, pairing more experienced members with younger and less experienced emerging leaders.
The BCU will hold quarterly webinars for our members with experts and leaders across a diverse range of industries, including private enterprises, medical professionals, and leaders across the sports world, law enforcement, education, and beyond.
Expose
The BCU will review National Collegiate Athletic Association practices and policies that have a disproportionately negative impact on women and all people of color. We will also organize and empower our coaches and athletes to use their collective voices to express their concerns and drive change.
The BCU will use its collective platform to speak out when we recognize social inequality and systemic racism in voting, education, employment opportunities, and other social justice issues in America.
Founders
BCU SHARES A LONG HISTORY OF THOSE WILLING TO STEP UP.
Natasha Adair
Head Coach University of Delaware
Tommy Amaker
Head Coach Harvard University
Rod Barnes
Head Coach UC-Bakersfield
Mark Blocker
Assistant Coach Adelphi University
Raphael Chillious
Associate Athletic Director South Kent School
Jamion Christian
Head Coach George Washington University
Kia Damon-Olson
Head Coach Lafayette College
Johnny Dawkins
Head Coach University Central Florida
Dave Dickerson
Head Coach USC Upstate
Terri Williams-Flournoy
Former Head Coach Georgetown University/Auburn University
Murray Garvin
Head Coach Paul Laurence Dunbar High School
Frank Haith
Head Coach University of Tulsa
Leonard Hamilton
Head Coach Florida State University
Paul Hewitt
Scout LA Clippers
Ricky Lefft
General Counsel The BCU
Cuonzo Martin
Head Coach University of Missouri
Shaka Smart
Head Coach Marquette University
Audra Smith
Former Head Coach Alabama Birmingham University
Tubby Smith
Head Coach High Point University
Benjy Taylor
Head Coach Tuskegee University
Mike Jones
Head Coach UNC Greensboro
John Thompson III
VP Washington Wizards
Fred Watson
Head Coach and Athletic Director Miles College
Helen Williams
HMW Sports, LLC
Ray McCallum
Associate Head Coach Tulane University
Rob Evans
Former Head Coach at Arizona State University
Charlene Thomas-Swinson
Former Head Coach Tulsa Univ./St John’s Univ./WNBA Assistant
Rodney Terry
Associate Head Coach University of Texas
Why Join the bcu?
A Word From Executive Director Paul Hewitt.
We’re committed to your personal and professional development, and we recognize the challenges that coaches face today. Join us to build a vibrant community for the future of our sport.
“We don’t dream enough. A man’s and a woman’s dreams soon become their realities. Dream big. We cannot accomplish anything in our lives unless we imagine it first.”
– George Raveling
Trailblazers
We recognize Those Who Inspire Us So That We Will Continue to Thrive.
Patricia Cage-Biggs
Winningest DIV I women’s coach of all HBCUs
Sherryta Freeman
Director of Athletics Lafayette College
Luisa Harris
First and only woman ever officially drafted by the NBA
Clarence Gaines
Head Coach Winston-Salem State University
Bernadette Lock-Mattox
First Female Assistant Coach in Men’s College Basketball
John McLendon
American Head Coach in Professional Sports
Carolyn Peck
First African-American woman to win national championship
George Raveling
First African-American Head Coach in the Pac-8 Conference
Nolan Richardson
Only coach to win Div 1, NIT, & JUCO championships
Tubby Smith
Current Head Coach at High Point University
Candice Storey Lee
First African American woman to head an SEC athletics program
John Thompson
First African-American coach to win a major collegiate championship in basketball
Marian E. Washington
Former Head Coach University of Kansas
Carla Williams
First African-American woman Athletic Director at a Power 5 school
Dawn Staley
National Championship Coach, Olympic Gold Medalist
