Six Black Brandeis student-athletes, current and former

Black History Month, In Their Own Words

By Adam Levin '94 / Julia Berg, Multimedia Coordinator

We spoke with several Black Brandeis student-athlete alumni and current student-athletes to learn about their experience on campus, who they looked up to, and what advice they have for current and future student-athletes of color. Here's what they had to say. 

TEXT: HAROLD SMALL ’73, MEN’S TRACK AND FIELD, HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2025 IMAGE: Harold Small posing with his baton in his track warmups
Q: What did it mean to you to be a Black athlete at Brandeis in the 70s? I was honored to be one of the first Black athletes to be selected as co-captain in track at Brandeis and desired to blend in and be accepted by my team members. It was important in training and winning championships, that our team acted together as a cohesive group despite our ethnic, diverse, and economic backgrounds.
Q: Who were some of the Black athletes (or other figures) who you looked up to at the time? The Black administrators and professors who were in leadership positions on the campus of Brandeis such as Clarence Hunter, Professor Hussein [African and Afro-American Studies Department] and many others in the Dean of Students position and Financial Aid Office.
Q: What advice would you give to current Brandeis student-athletes of color? I would suggest to student-athletes of color to just be themselves and approach team members in a positive way always remembering that there is strength in diversity and you always remember the many moments of winning and performing together.
TEXT: DAVID THOMAS, MEN'S SOCCER IMAGE: David Thomas pursuing a soccer ball during a match
Q: What does being a Black athlete mean to you? A: It means a lot to me because it gives me an opportunity to play the sport I love and balance my responsibilities as a student and I’m very privileged to be able to have that experience.
Q: Who are some Black athletes you have looked up to throughout your career? A: Kobe Bryant of course! He’s like the pillar of motivation and hard work and his influence is unmatched in that category.
Q: What advice would you give to an aspiring black athlete? A: Enjoy it because there’s going to be a time where you won’t have the same opportunities you once had and we live in a world where you might get the short end of the stick when it comes to certain things but don’t let that discourage you and add that to the motivation fuel so you can be great.
TEXT: JERRION BENJAMIN FORRESTER ’96, WOMEN’S TRACK AND FIELD, HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2019 IMAGE: Jerrion Benjamin Forrester posing with a gold medal
Q: What did it mean to you to be a Black athlete at Brandeis in the 90s? Being a black sprinter at Brandeis in the 90s afforded me the opportunity to represent my school on a national stage with pride and dignity.
Q: Who were some of the Black athletes (or other figures) who you looked up to at the time? Back then, I admired Merlene Ottey, Flo Jo, and Gwen Torrence, who I met a competition in Atlanta. All fast and left an indelible mark on the sport.
Q: What advice would you give to current Brandeis student-athletes of color? As a student-athlete, your academics are just as important, if not more, as athletics. Bring the same work ethic in the classroom and defy expectations.
TEXT: BROOKE REED, Women's Basketball IMAGE: Brooke Reed dribbling a basketball through the late
Q: What does being a Black athlete mean to you? A: It means that every time I show up to practice or a game, I have a deeper appreciation for the gift of playing the sport I love. On tough days, I remind myself that in a different time, this opportunity wouldn’t have even been a dream. I owe it to those who couldn’t play but fought to make it possible for me.
Q: Who are some Black athletes who you have looked up to throughout your career? A: I’ve looked up to Dennis Rodman, Kobe, Aja Wilson, Serena Williams and many others
Q: What advice would you give to an aspiring young black athlete? A: Don’t ever feel pressure to represent an entire race, just play your game
TEXT: LATYE WORKMAN ‘18/MA ’19, MEN’S BASKETBALL IMAGE: Latye Workman coming down with a rebound, players from both teams looking on
Q: What did it mean to you to be a Black athlete at Brandeis in the 2010s? It meant a lot to me for various reasons. The biggest being that we make up a small portion of the demographic at Brandeis, so it was (still is) an honor to represent our population; and do it well.
Q: Who were some of the Black athletes (or other figures) who you looked up to at the time? Honestly, the Black athletes that I looked up to and admired were the ones next to me. The ones that were going through a similar, if not the same, journey as myself.
Q: What advice would you give to current Brandeis student-athletes of color? A: I would tell them to continue to be bold, continue to be exactly who they were before they stepped foot on campus; unapologetically. Do not shrink or conform to any environment, to grow while continuing to remain true.
TEXT: GABE HAITHCOCK, MEN'S SOCCER IMAGE: Gabe Haithcock dribbling a soccer ball down the field during a match
Q: What does being a Black athlete mean to you? A: Being a black student athlete is one of the most enjoyable experiences out there. It’s an experience that so many great black men and women have put their blood, sweat, and tears in to cultivate for us to be able to enjoy. While the journey wasn’t always easy or simple, I can say that being a black athlete taught me so much about my own personal identity and I don’t know who’d I be if I hadn’t been one.
Q: Who are some Black athletes who you have looked up to throughout your career? A: Kobe Bryant, Lebron, and Vincent Kompany
Q: What advice would you have for an aspiring young black athlete? A: I would tell them to spend time finding out how athletics allows you express your own individuality and find the joy in that fact. There will be so many people that will try to tell you how you should play or limit what you can do athletics just because of your skin color. However, if your love of the game is based on an unshakable belief in yourself then it will make the hard times that much more bearable and great times that much more enjoyable. Enjoy being yourself!
TEXT: HAILE PEREIRA, Brandeis Boxing Club IMAGE: Haile Pereiro throwing a punch in the boxing ring
Q: What does being a Black athlete mean to you? A: Serving as President and Captain of our Boxing team at Brandeis, it's vital that I create an environment that encourages growth and acceptance. There is never a moment for me to question my Blackness; rather, it fuels my ambition, discipline, and commitment to uplifting those around me. It is this very security in my own identity, that I may ask my team to lend me their faith in shaping theirs. Standing as a pillar of inspiration to those who can identify with me or my experiences is what gives me the energy to continue fighting.
Q: What else would you like us to know? A: Hoping to get Boxing some more recognition on campus!! We have some real super-athletes

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