“We’re proud and appreciative to have this opportunity to lead our department’s commitment to issues of diversity. Our Committee is excited to continue our work on education and advocacy regarding these issues.” – Ray Oliver and Tiffany Hayden
The University of Kentucky Athletics Department formed a Diversity Advocacy Committee made up of ten. staff members from different backgrounds, experiences and history. The Committee’s membership was chosen to provide diverse perspectives to yield the best outcomes. The Committee’s mission is to advocate for University of Kentucky student-athletes, athletics staff and coaches and the unique needs of the marginalized communities across those groups. The committee began meeting in June. The Committee, co-chaired by Ray Oliver and Tiffany Hayden, has been charged with maintaining a commitment to educating UK Athletics on issues facing all marginalized student-athletes, marginalized athletics staff and coaches. They have made a commitment to listening, identifying ways to create a more diverse athletics department, and training all student-athletes, staff and coaches to identify their own biases. They have committed to amplifying underrepresented voices. The Committee will work toward creating a strong diverse culture, one that is reflective of all the people in Kentucky Athletics.
“During summer of 2020, we began asking the question, ‘How can we be part of positive change? We began by forming a committee toward that goal, and they have begun building awareness, working with student-athletes and staff, and developing action plans.” – Mitch Barnhart
Mission Statement
We are a team of advocates for Diversity for our Student-Athletes, Athletics staff, and Coaches.
We are committed to educating UK Athletics on issues facing, Student-Athletes, athletics staff, and coaches with Diverse backgrounds.
We are committed to listening.
We are committed to identifying ways to create a more diverse athletics department.
We are committed to training all student-athletes, staff and coaches to identify their own biases.
We are committed to our underrepresented voices being heard.
We are committed to creating a strong diverse culture, one that is reflective of all the people in the Department. Our different backgrounds, experiences, and history make us better.
STAFF
Staff
McLendon Initiative
The purpose of the McLendon Minority Leadership Initiative (MLI) is to provide minorities a jump-start to their careers through practical experiences, opportunities to build their network, and instilling the values of John McLendon: Integrity, Education, Leadership, and Mentorship.
“The MLI is about access and opportunity: real-world experience and networking platforms designed to elevate talented young women and men of color who have previously been ignored by a system that lacks diversity and inclusion. For this work, I couldn’t think of a more appropriate vehicle than the McLendon Foundation. I’m excited about where we’re headed and feel this is a great first step toward affecting measurable change in our corner of the world,” said John Calipari, Head Men’s Basketball Coach at the University of Kentucky.
It’s GAME DAY!
?? @JaguarHoops
?? @Rupp_Arena
? 7:00 p.m. ET
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?? https://t.co/09xDTh6Wnl pic.twitter.com/ip46mjHFHt— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) December 7, 2021
Our starting five tonight against Southern University ????
Thanks to William Wells Brown Elementary for the assist! pic.twitter.com/4WI7ZCfJnW
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) December 7, 2021
More than just a game.
Looking forward to the next four years of the Unity Series.@JaguarHoops @theswac pic.twitter.com/aUIdYqBdBc
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) December 8, 2021
Stopped by the #Juneteenth picnic this afternoon before heading out to Midway for one of our satellite camps. Congrats to Ray Oliver, @Tiff_Hayden and everyone on the Diversity Advocacy Committee for organizing such a great event! pic.twitter.com/kPcIq7SQJx
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) June 17, 2021
Thank you to the Diversity Advocacy Committee and leadership in the athletic department for allowing this amazing panel to share their stories today! #Tillthebattleiswon https://t.co/NlYfTGYDho
— Erica (@EricaHanserd) February 22, 2021
We are very proud of LaMontrose’s active role in, both, @UKAthletics’ Diversity Advocacy Committee and @NAADD’s Diversity Working Group! #WeAreUK #InvestInBlue https://t.co/PQsfnQWsWx
— K Fund- UK Athletics (@UK_KFund) June 24, 2021
Join us as we honor the celebration of #Juneteenth. pic.twitter.com/jCm38sJ3rd
— Kentucky Athletics (@UKAthletics) June 19, 2021
What does #Juneteenth mean to @Big_Cookie5? pic.twitter.com/VeNuQBdexg
— Kentucky Men’s Golf (@UKmensgolf) June 19, 2021
Big Dawg @vincemarrow on #Juneteenth pic.twitter.com/I1F2VRrp7o
— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) June 19, 2021
Celebrate.
Commemorate.
Educate.Happy #Juneteenth! pic.twitter.com/sQOPOy5FTx
— Kentucky Athletics (@UKAthletics) June 19, 2021
Let’s talk about #Juneteenth! Join us for our #BBNLive Special today at 12 p.m. ET to learn the history of the holiday with Dr. George Wright and hear what Juneteenth means to some of our student athletes. https://t.co/LjAYLrH7Yd
— Kentucky Athletics (@UKAthletics) June 18, 2021
Shoutout to Mother Nature for providing us perfect summer weather for our #Juneteenth Lunch and Learn this afternoon! ???? #WeAreUK pic.twitter.com/zijrGdsWJE
— Kentucky Athletics (@UKAthletics) June 17, 2021
Together as one pic.twitter.com/4cWrZw8z74
— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) January 9, 2021
Great talk with the guys tonight about registering to vote and how to get their absentee ballots. This is about more than basketball! pic.twitter.com/GEYTOgjIeT
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) August 23, 2020
#BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/0V7ocDoRQV
— Aimé Kaleka Mabika (@TweetsbyAime) June 28, 2020
Black Lives Matter. How will you build a better tomorrow? pic.twitter.com/IWyMiPwRpp
— Kentucky Men’s Soccer (@UKMensSoccer) June 26, 2020
You want to know what makes me really proud? Our players are now registered to vote!! https://t.co/C4QIgkoIee
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) August 23, 2020
Stopped by the #Juneteenth picnic this afternoon before heading out to Midway for one of our satellite camps. Congrats to Ray Oliver, @Tiff_Hayden and everyone on the Diversity Advocacy Committee for organizing such a great event! pic.twitter.com/kPcIq7SQJx
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) June 17, 2021
As I watch the @McLendonScholar Leadership Initiative take off, I want to congratulate the initial Future Leaders class of 35. As the founders of this program, you’re setting the foundation for real, tangible change in college athletics that so many others will follow the path of pic.twitter.com/Py8lVaV2Ad
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) October 9, 2020
Kentucky’s Rhyne Howard, the best player in college hoops, is unapologetically Black. And as the star guard readies for a new season, social justice remains on her mind. (Via @TheUndefeated)
https://t.co/f06dUJCRxx— ESPN Women’s Hoops (@ESPN_WomenHoop) November 25, 2020
Proud of this team for organizing this entire event on their own.
Love the strength and compassion this group has. ?? pic.twitter.com/Tm0TcW4UzI
— Kentucky WBB (@KentuckyWBB) September 18, 2020
Our Social Justice March and Unity Fair is over, and it was a huge success. ??
Thank you to all the fantastic speakers, our fellow student-athletes who joined in, and all of our supporters across the state.#WeAreUK pic.twitter.com/rpyq0TDEWl
— Kentucky WBB (@KentuckyWBB) September 16, 2020
We the people. pic.twitter.com/InNj8qhQ4S
— Kentucky WBB (@KentuckyWBB) September 14, 2020
We ask you to join us. pic.twitter.com/XYoFVnfHJX
— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) September 1, 2020