Beyond The Court: Shane James reflects on Black History Month

Tell us about Canada Elite and how it came about.

Canada Elite has been a passion project for 10 years now! I played on AAU teams when I was young and a few of my good friends and I wanted to recreate that experience for up-and-coming athletes.

It started as Triple Balance in 2009 and then grew to what we now know as Canada Elite. We appreciated the growth of our student athletes and began to recognize that they needed a space to train and compete that was beyond what was available at the time. They needed an elite level of experience that my team - our group of friends and now business partners - were able to provide.

We currently field over 25 teams and compete across Canada and the United States on the UAA circuit as an Under Armour affiliated organization.

Tell us about your experience going from Assistant General Manager in Guelph to being the General Manager at the Surge.

There has definitely been a shift in responsibility! My experience in Guelph was a positive entry into the Canadian Elite Basketball League ,?one that helped prepare me to be in the position I am in now in Calgary. Having great mentors in leadership positions like Charles Kissi and Cameron Kusch really helped propel my growth.

What does Black History Month mean to you personally?

To me, Black History Month serves as an important reminder for us all, from every background and walks of life, to remember the contributions of Black people. It goes far beyond discussions of enslavement and needs to also include celebrations of Black Excellence and Black Joy!?

Black History Month represents an opportunity to reflect on our past and celebrate our progress toward building better Black futures. It also provides an opportunity to reflect on anti-Black racism in the Canadian context.?

As a former educator, it was always important to me to carry on these conversations far beyond the month. For me, February was an entry point - an opportunity to highlight history and to enter into discussions, but I also understood that this work of unpacking the impact and influence of Black people had to continue throughout the school year. Engaging students in opportunities and learning beyond the month was the goal.?

Name a person who represents Black Excellence to you and explain why.

So many well-known activists, high profile individuals, and even local community members who have inspired me also represent Black Excellence. I tend to gravitate towards those who have focused on building community and who have done so in strategic ways, embodying the old saying "lift as you climb". But in really reflecting on this question, I’ll share that my Mom, Angie James truly represents Black Excellence. She is a woman of faith who holds herself and those around her to high standards and who serves her community with grace and dignity.

How can organizations better celebrate diversity and inclusion, not just during Black History Month, but throughout the year??

I think the first step is acknowledging the importance of diversity and inclusion and moving beyond performative activism during Black History Month. Space needs to be held for individuals to reflect, connect, celebrate, share and unpack the concepts of diversity and inclusion. To do so effectively, I believe that each organization needs to have a dedicated DEI team who will facilitate this work with proven strategies and who are committed to building better workplace experiences for everyone.?

How do you hope to contribute to the broader conversation around diversity and inclusion?

I can contribute by continuing to engage others and to advocate for fulsome DEI training in the workplace. It is important to build a foundation for an anti-oppressive workplace and that means doing the work to understand systems of oppression and strategies for challenging unconscious bias, while celebrating diversity and focusing on anti-racism. There is a lot of work to be done that can’t happen with only one individual on board. I see my role as one of advocacy and pushing the needle forward towards authentically engaging in this work.?

What advice would you give to others aspiring to achieve success in their careers?

Stay true to who you are and recognize that there is always room for growth. Be open to learning and seek out opportunities to better yourself and your craft. Don’t become complacent - instead actively work to grow and learn.??