College Sports Diversity Summit – CSDS

About

The College Sports Diversity Summit – CSDS is an annual event dedicated to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) within college sports. The summit brings together student-athletes, coaches, athletic directors, administrators, and DEIB advocates to share insights, develop strategies, and foster dialogue on how to create inclusive and equitable environments in collegiate athletics.

Mission

The mission of College Sports Diversity Summit – CSDS is to empower college sports professionals and student-athletes to champion diversity and inclusion at every level of athletics. Through collaboration, education, and strategic initiatives, we aim to build a more equitable college sports landscape where all athletes, regardless of background, can thrive and contribute.

Vision

Our vision is to create a collegiate sports environment that is truly representative of the diversity within our society. We envision a future where student-athletes, coaches, and sports administrators work in inclusive environments that prioritize respect, belonging, and equity, making college sports a leader in fostering positive change.

Founder’s Welcome

Welcome to the College Sports Diversity Summit! It is with great pride and excitement that I welcome you to this crucial gathering of leaders, student-athletes, and advocates committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in college sports. As the landscape of college athletics continues to evolve, we have a unique opportunity to address the challenges of diversity and create lasting impact for generations to come.

At CSDS, we believe that diversity in college sports is not only about representation but about creating an environment where every individual feels valued and empowered to contribute to the success of their team and institution. This summit is designed to spark conversations, inspire new ideas, and provide practical tools that you can take back to your campuses and athletic programs.

Our goal is to leave this summit with actionable strategies that will create more inclusive spaces within collegiate athletics. Together, we will explore the intersections of race, gender, identity, and sports and work collaboratively to build a brighter, more inclusive future for all student-athletes. Thank you for being part of this important journey toward equity in college sports.

Dennis Kennedy
Founder
College Sports Diversity Summit – CSDS

Training

The College Sports Diversity Summit offers various training programs designed to equip collegiate athletic staff and student-athletes with the skills and knowledge needed to promote DEIB in sports. Training topics include:

• Inclusive Coaching Practices: Strategies for fostering diversity and belonging within collegiate teams.
• Equity in Athletic Administration: Developing policies and practices that ensure fairness and representation.
• Leadership Development for Student-Athletes: Empowering student-athletes to become leaders in promoting inclusion.

On-demand training is available for both athletic staff and student-athletes.

We would love to have your participation, please use this link to sign up for training.

Recognition

The College Sports Diversity Summit honors individuals and programs making significant contributions to diversity and inclusion in collegiate athletics. Our recognition programs include:

• Top Inclusive Athletic Programs: Celebrating college sports programs that have successfully implemented DEIB initiatives.
• Outstanding Student-Athlete Leaders: Recognizing student-athletes who are champions of diversity and inclusion on their campuses.
• Inclusive Coaching Awards: Honoring coaches who exemplify leadership in creating inclusive environments within their teams.

Schedule

The College Sports Diversity Summit provides a comprehensive two-day schedule of keynotes, panels, and interactive sessions focused on fostering diversity and inclusion in college athletics. With sessions dedicated to leadership development, equity, and inclusion, attendees will gain valuable insights and tools to create lasting change in their institutions.

2025:

• Day 1: Thursday, June 12, 2025
  • Opening Keynote: Leadership in College Athletics
  • Workshop: Building Inclusive College Sports Programs
  • Panel: Addressing Racial Inequity in College Sports
  • Networking Reception: Expanding DEIB Networks in Collegiate Sports
• Day 2: Friday, June 13, 2025
  • Workshop: Student-Athlete Leadership in Diversity and Inclusion
  • Panel: Gender Equity in Collegiate Athletics
  • Interactive Session: Creating a Culture of Belonging in College Teams
  • Closing Session: Next Steps for DEIB in College Sports

2026:

• Day 1: Thursday, June 11, 2026
  • Opening Keynote: The Role of DEIB in Athletic Leadership
  • Workshop: Promoting Equity in Athletic Departments
  • Panel: Supporting LGBTQ+ Student-Athletes
  • Networking Reception: Building Inclusive Networks in College Athletics
• Day 2: Friday, June 12, 2026
  • Workshop: Empowering Student-Athletes as DEIB Leaders
  • Panel: Overcoming Barriers to Inclusion in College Sports
  • Interactive Session: Creating a More Inclusive Recruiting Process
  • Closing Session: Strategic Planning for DEIB in College Athletics

2027:

• Day 1: Thursday, June 10, 2027
  • Opening Keynote: DEIB and the Future of College Sports
  • Workshop: Inclusive Leadership Practices for Athletic Directors
  • Panel: Intersectionality in College Sports
  • Networking Reception: Advancing Diversity and Inclusion in Collegiate Athletics
• Day 2: Friday, June 11, 2027
  • Workshop: Addressing Mental Health and Wellbeing in Diverse Student-Athletes
  • Panel: Building Partnerships to Promote DEIB in College Sports
  • Interactive Session: Engaging the Campus Community in Athletic DEIB Initiatives
  • Closing Session: Roadmap for Future DEIB Efforts in Collegiate Athletics

Register

Please click here to register.

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