Organization Highlight: Black Student Athlete Alliance
Biology major and short-distance track runner Daryana Hall is the founder of a new campus organization, the Black Student Athlete Alliance (BSAA), supporting Black student-athletes at California State University of Long Beach. Inspired by the Black Athlete Summit she saw at other schools, Daryana wanted the same for her peers; a space where Black student-athletes could be seen, celebrated, and heard. That vision turned into a program directed under the Athletics department, where this organization is dedicated to advocacy, visibility, and community building.
Mission and Vision
The program’s mission is to advocate for Black student-athletes by advancing Black initiatives and fostering cultural recognition within athletics. Before this organization was founded, Daryana noticed that there had never been an athletic game dedicated to celebrating Black History Month. She took the initiative to organize one, designing commemorative shirts for the athletes to wear and inviting members of CSULB’s National Pan-Hellenic Council and the Honeys Dance Team to perform during halftime.
Daryana hopes the program will inspire lasting change on campus—strengthening connections with Black resources, promoting collaboration among Black organizations, and enhancing cultural representation in sports.
Building Community Through Events
From tailgates to community-building events, BSAA is focusing on collaborating with current Black organizations and programs on campus to foster community among athletes outside of their sports. Events such as “Bring an Ally Day,” are just one of many events this organization is planning to execute for students to learn how to support the Black community. With over 30 student-athletes participating, the program emphasizes cultivating from their very first meeting, featuring icebreaker games, shared resources, and team activities.
Students are encouraged to participate not only to advocate for Black athletes but also to foster intersectional conversations about current political and cultural movements. The organization acts as a catalyst for bridging gaps between different cultural groups, including Hispanic and Pacific Islander communities, creating a truly inclusive campus environment.
Unique Approach
Unlike other organizations, the Black Student Athlete Alliance hosts more meetings in the fall to engage students early, keeping momentum as the spring-heavy athletics season begins. Daryana’s approach combines advocacy, cultural celebration, and real-world discussion to ensure student-athletes feel supported both on and off the field.
With passion, dedication, and a vision for change, the Black Student Athlete Alliance is not just supporting athletes; they’re creating a legacy of advocacy, culture, and community that will resonate on campus for years to come.
