Black Girl Hockey Club

"Mom, am I Black?" This question from my youngest has sparked a deeper, ongoing conversation about race and identity within our family as the girls explore #BlackHistoryMonth topics at school. With each passing year, these discussions become more intricate, nuanced, and personal for my biracial daughters. We continue to explore how my girls identify and their unique experiences that inform their views and the depth of their understanding increases each year. This month, I was re-reading the #BlacknessIsAGiftICanGiveHer book by R. Renee Hess for some insights on how to navigate these conversations and examine my own role as a leader, particularly as white mother and a coach to many racialized girls in our neighbourhood (primarily Asian and South Asian families). An insightful quote from page 50, Renee shares: "In the spaces, I currently occupy, it is my goal to use social capital to amplify the voices, businesses, and visions of Black folks, while gaining the knowledge and resources needed to build sustainable spaces with Black leadership. As the mother of a biracial daughter who can "pass", I recognize that the onus is on me to teach my daughter how to intentionally interact with her Blackness, as a well as educate her on privilege. I can teach her how the past continues to impact and enrich our everyday experiences. Blackness is a gift I can give her." Please buy the book from your favourite local retailer and watch this wonderful interview with Shireen Ahmed. What conversations have you had this month with your family for #BlackHistoryMonth? https://lnkd.in/gy892vJ9

My eldest daughter is playing in a hockey tournament this weekend (they are unbeaten so far ???? ). Both my kids live and breathe competitive hockey. Although there are very few (and I mean barely) any players who look like them, and no coaches in any of our leagues who are Black, I often remind my girls that hockey is a game that Black people and communities contributed to. In 1895, three Black hockey teams were established, the Eurekas, the Jubilees, and the Stanleys. They eventually grew into the Colored Hockey League of the Maritimes (CHLM), an all-Black competitive league in Nova Scotia and PEI. In October 2024, the Government of Canada announced the designation of the Colored Hockey League as an event of national historic significance. Not only was the CHLM the only all-Black league in Canadian history, its players introduced many fundamental techniques into hockey, including the slapshot as well as butterfly-style goaltending. Let us remember the Colored Hockey League of the Maritimes, and the many Black hockey players, coaches and leaders who helped define our national sport. ???? Herb Carnegie, the first Black Canadian hockey star, who is widely regarded as the best Black player never to play in the NHL. ???? Willie O’Ree, the first Black hockey player to play in the NHL, playing professional hockey for more than 20 years. ???? Angela James, among the first class of women inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2009. The list goes on ... I am grateful to community leaders like Bob Dawson, Jean-Marie Guerrier, and Jacquie Dixon, who continue to ensure that the legacy of Black Canadian hockey will be remembered and celebrated. #BlackHistoryMonth #Hockey

In celebration of Hockey Week Across America's #HockeyIsForEveryone Day, we are excited to announced we've teamed up Black Girl Hockey Club for our Black Heritage Celebration on February 28th! Join us for the first BGHC Meet Up in Cleveland postgame through a special ticket package ?? https://lnkd.in/ecwTKvb6 #HockeyIsForEveryone | #HWAA

Via ELLE Canada magazine: "Sarah Nurse is known for many things. She’s a life-long #hockey player, a two-time?Olympian for Team Canada, a gold medal winner, a?record-setting athlete?(at the Beijing Games in 2022, she racked up the most points for a hockey player at a single Olympics), one of the stars of the?Toronto Sceptres?and a steadfast advocate in pushing to make hockey a?more inclusive sport. And as a professional hockey player in the?PWHL, she’s also made waves for her?covetable game-day walk-in outfits?and enviable skincare and makeup game both on?and?off the ice... Naturally, Nurse has found a just as practical and seamless of a transition for her latest gig: ambassador for Revlon Canada. In particular, the athlete will be repping the brand’s best-selling?ColorStay range... We caught up with Nurse before the news of her Revlon role was announced to talk about her makeup journey, on- vs. off-ice glam and more." ?? Full story: https://lnkd.in/gh4aaFVc #hockeyplayer #sports #sportsmarketing #pwhl #toronto #hockeycanada #usahockey #womenshockey #makeup #nhl #womeninsports #womeninsport

Learn more about our 2025 Black History Month community partner, Black Girl Hockey Club! ?? We are proud to support BGHC and their ongoing efforts to create inclusive spaces and opportunities for Black women and girls in hockey.

Via William Douglas: "Kelsey Koelzer had questions when she accepted the job to build an #NCAA Division III women's hockey program from scratch at Arcadia University on Sept. 9, 2019. "My initial qualms or nervousness my first year of coaching was just kind of wondering how much passion I truly would have for it and how much I would like it," she said. "But it's been so awesome, and at this point, I can't picture myself doing anything else." Koelzer is the first Black woman to lead an NCAA hockey program. She has shaped Arcadia, located about 30 minutes north of Philadelphia, into?a formidable program in a short period of time. The 29-year-old guided the Knights to their first Middle Atlantic Conference #womenshockey championship in the program's third season... "Kelsey has lived up to the expectations we had for her from Day 1," Arcadia athletic director Brian Granata said. "We saw a rising star in the industry, someone that certainly early on was young and inexperienced in her professional career, but we felt she had a tremendous upside. She obviously played at a high level and has a very good IQ and was invested in becoming a successful coach here at Arcadia, and that's really come to fruition." Koelzer said her biggest challenge was recruiting elite players and convincing them to take a leap of faith and join something new... Players like senior forward Karahkwenhawe White said they were drawn to Arcadia by Koelzer's #hockey journey and accomplishments... White, from Mohawk Territory in Akwesasne, New York, leads Arcadia with 28 points (16 goals, 12 assists) in 22 games. "I feel a big part of the reason why I went to Arcadia, especially because it was a first-year program, was her reputation," she said. "I knew she was such a smart hockey player and played at such a high level, and I knew she had great experience. It showed from the moment we came here on campus."... Koelzer said she's mindful of her platform as the only Black woman leading an NCAA hockey program,?knowing she's a role model and embracing it. "I think this kind of proves that it wasn't a demographics hire, or something like that," Koelzer said. "This success has, I think, has kept doors open moving forward but also opened more doors for the next generation of Black women that are interested in the #sport and have that experience. "We're seeing such a great number of minority female players at the NCAA at all levels. It's really jumped up a good amount even since I've graduated. When those players are done playing, they're interested in taking that next step and further representing and being that #rolemodel."" ?? Full article via National Hockey League (NHL): https://lnkd.in/gy-AMzr8 #hockeycoach #womeninsport #womeninsports #Blackwomen #sports #sportsjournalism #nhl #pwhl #hockeycanada #usahockey

??? “Are we your pet project for the month? If we are, I don’t think we want to partner with you. We’re Black every single day of the year, not just from February 1 to February 28. We have to be smart in the decisions of the people we partner with, because we take ourselves seriously, and we want to maintain the integrity of what our mission is.” Thank you, Emily Haydel & New Jersey Devils for allowing Anastasia Hardin & me to share Black Girl Hockey Club story. Excited to expand our partnership. ?? ??Read the article: https://lnkd.in/e2djWEj8 ??Take the #GetUncomfortable pledge: https://lnkd.in/eyjajKKw National Hockey League (NHL) #hockeyisforeveryone #blackhistorymonth #blackhockeyhistory #NationalGirlsandWomenInSportsDay #NDWSD

Nominate your local community hero for the Willie O’Ree Community Hero award today: www.nhl.com/OReeAward The Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award honors former NHL forward Willie O’Ree, who on January 18, 1958, became the first black player to compete in the League. The award is presented annually “to an individual who – through the game of hockey – has positively impacted his or her community, culture or society.” ?? Submissions due February 2. #NHLOReeAward

Bauer Hockey’s "Together We Are Greatness" clip features some BGHC community members and scholarship awardees like Grace Ellis, Jennah Diakite and Chloe Brown-Powell. We have heard so many amazing stories from our scholarship winners and across the board, their hockey journeys have been elevated because of supporters like YOU! ?? If you can, please consider donating to BGHC this #GivingTuesday ?? https://lnkd.in/gK7__cSm Watch the clip on instagram here: https://lnkd.in/eCJvrZVC

It’s #GivingTuesday and as an ally, a year later my hope remains. Please consider donating to Black Girl Hockey Club today for ‘Giving Tuesday’. Ive had the privilege of being a volunteer with this nonprofit for four years now! Black Girl Hockey Club is a safe place for Black women & girls to thrive in the hockey community on and off the ice. Donate and share! : https://lnkd.in/eJQuSbCk #BostonBruins #NESN #hockey #HockeyIsForEveryone #inclusion #diversity #educate #share #love #equality #Boston #Sports #InclusionInSports #BGHC