As we move into a more safe and vaccinated reality, and likely tournament season, we want to make sure that the lessons we’ve been learning from Black Lives Matter and our commitment to racial equity do not get forgotten. We want to center our commitment to our BIPOC community (both local and ultimate) as we return to play in Aurora, Colorado. We also want to uplift the recommendations of a task force of Black players and Aurora community members- it is these recommendations that are informing how we are holding tournaments. This also provides you, our community, with the ability to hold us and USAU accountable to our commitments.
First, here is our Approach – how we ran this and what the outcomes were
Next, here are the things AYU has already done:
- Created camps focused on Girls and Spanish-Speakers
- Hosted Learn to Play Ultimate clinics in Aurora, partnered with local organizations to host including Big Brothers and Big Sisters.
- Translated Liability Waivers and Medical Authorization forms to Spanish (and paid Spanish speaking community members)
- Created cultural competency trainings (we’ve trained both local and national ultimate leaders)
- Contracted a local community advisor- we have someone in the Montbello area who is a Black community organizer, we have also connected with someone in the Pueblo area who is on the school board and will support us working with Pueblo kids of color
- We have a paid EDI Community Engagement Specialist who is working to build relationships in the Aurora community
- Condemned racist police violence with Aurora city organizations – met with Visit Aurora and other city leaders
- AYU Board completed training with an DEI consultant and created some main objectives/strategic planning— this was a major focus of our Board strategic planning work
- We created an EDI vision and mission that will guide us in the future
- Developed a pay-what-you-can financial aid program.
- Committed to compensating local coaches and organizers to develop stronger programs.
We will continue to work with local community partners to develop strong relationships and build on this progress.
We look forward to hosting you throughout this year and into the future.
Please feel free to send any questions to Hannah@AltitudeYouthUltimate.org.