All articles tagged with #inclusion
With Tiger Woods’ support, Cobbs Creek Golf Course in Philadelphia is pursuing expanded access and youth outreach to advance inclusion in golf, aiming to reclaim its role as a pathway to opportunity in the sport.
Jason Collins, the NBA’s first openly gay player, died at 47 after an eight-month battle with glioblastoma brain cancer; over 13 seasons and six teams he helped the Nets reach two Finals and, after coming out in 2013, became a leading advocate for LGBTQ inclusion in sport and a longtime NBA Cares Ambassador.
Disability in Nigeria creates daily barriers to education and services: a torture survivor who lost a hand needed a toe-print for JAMB admission after advocacy, while a woman with a missing eye struggles with biometric facial recognition. About 15% of Nigerians have disabilities; laws and the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities aim to improve access, including JAMB fee waivers and 75% tuition waivers at Federal University of Lafia. Despite progress, inclusive infrastructure, sign-language support, and accessible materials are still lacking, but Friday's enrollment shows that with advocacy and diligent effort, students with disabilities can pursue higher education.
President Trump touted a White House farmers’ gathering, but Black farmers were notably left out, prompting critics to say the administration sidelines farmers of color as costs rise and foreclosures loom, with concerns over DEI policy changes and reduced USDA support.
Sinners star Jayme Lawson praised Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo for how they handled a slur at the BAFTAs, but she denounced the event as exploitative rather than inclusive, arguing that inviting people into spaces without real safety and resources isn’t true inclusion. She also criticized the BBC for cutting or censoring moments in their coverage (and referenced censorship of a separate “Free Palestine” moment), saying such edits undermine dignity and protection for Black artists who contributed to the night.
Jayme Lawson criticized the BAFTA incident in which a guest with Tourette’s shouted the N-word at Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo, calling it exploitation and urging true inclusion with safety resources; she praised how the onstage duo handled the moment, condemned the BBC and BAFTA for carelessness in coverage, and tied the event to broader issues of dignity, safety, and representation highlighted at the NAACP Image Awards.
A Guardian journalist writes about living with Tourette syndrome, the Baftas controversy sparked by John Davidson, and the push for genuine inclusion of people with neurological differences, emphasizing visibility over hiding and the need for a kinder, more understanding public sphere.
Jonte Richardson, a BAFTA jury member, resigned, criticizing the British Academy for its handling of a racial slur directed at a Tourette's campaigner during the BAFTA Film Awards, while Warner Bros. pressed BAFTA to remove the slur and the BBC apologized for its broadcast; BAFTA acknowledged responsibility and host Alan Cumming framed Tourette's as involuntary.
Winter-sports growth is facing a climate reality: warming winters are shrinking natural snow, forcing reliance on artificial snow and expensive facilities, from costly outdoor rinks to indoor training centers, which could limit where people can learn to curl, skate, or ski. Examples include Minnesota’s high daily outdoor-rink maintenance costs and Portland delaying its downtown rink opening due to budget constraints.
Bettman touts the league’s Pride Nights and the popularity of LGBTQ+-friendly content like the show Heated Rivalry, but teams are pulling back from formal Pride Night branding. Bruins and Hurricanes moved to “Hockey Is For Everyone Night,” the Kings emphasize broader LGBTQ+ programming, and Utah Mammoth have not announced Pride events, while Detroit Red Wings recently added Pride Night to a broader People of Hockeytown celebration. The NHL says Pride Nights aren’t mandated and highlights partnerships with LGBTQ+ groups, but critics say reduced visibility can limit safety and recognition for players and fans alike.
Complete Broadway casting for CATS: The Jellicle Ball at the Broadhurst Theatre has been announced, featuring a mix of Broadway veterans and newcomers (including André De Shields as Old Deuteronomy and Ken Ard as DJ Griddlebone). The production is directed by Zhailon Levingston and Bill Rauch with choreography by Omari Wiles and Arturo Lyons, and previews begin March 18 ahead of an April 7 opening. The show also emphasizes inclusivity with partnerships and ticket allocations for LGBTQIA+ and underrepresented communities via a dedicated TDF program.
Actor François Arnaud, star of Heated Rivalry, urged the NHL to translate the show’s LGBTQ+ buzz into real change, calling out past Pride Tape bans and ongoing restrictions on Pride jerseys while noting the league’s growing openness. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said he binge‑watched the series and framed it as part of a broader effort—including Pride Nights and You Can Play partnerships—to welcome diverse fans. The piece frames the show as a cultural phenomenon that has spurred conversations about closeted athletes, and it mentions the NHL’s lack of openly gay players alongside Luke Prokop’s 2021 coming out in the AHL.
Mattel introduced a Barbie with autism as part of its Barbie Fashionistas line, developed with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network to reflect how some people with autism experience the world. The doll features a side-eye shift, articulated elbows and wrists for stimming, a looser A-line dress, flat shoes, and accessories like a pink fidget spinner, noise-canceling headphones, and a tablet. It joins other inclusive dolls and will cost about $11.87, available online and at Target from Monday, with Walmart stocking it in March. The CDC says about 1 in 31 eight-year-olds in the U.S. have autism, with higher rates among nonwhite groups.
Michaela Benthaus, a German aerospace engineer and wheelchair user, became the first person with a spinal cord injury to travel past the Kármán Line aboard a Blue Origin New Shepard capsule, marking a historic milestone in making space accessible for people with disabilities.
The article celebrates Angela James' induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame and her impact on promoting diversity and inclusion in women's hockey, highlighted by a girls' hockey clinic in Toronto where young players, especially girls of color, had the opportunity to learn from and interact with hockey legends, emphasizing the sport's progress towards inclusivity.