The NCAA is excited to collaborate with Rising Media Stars on the shared mission of diversifying sports broadcasting and accelerating the careers of women of color aspiring to enter the field.
The partnership, which will kick off at the 2023 Women's Final Four in Dallas, will give Rising Media Stars participants year-round access to NCAA college sports events for in-the-field training, help create a talent pipeline for NCAA linear and digital assignments, and provide opportunities for professional development and career mentorship.
The joint effort will take place during the Women's Final Four week of activities in Dallas, which will also include programming focused on Title IX and diversity, equity and inclusion. The 2023 Women's Final Four, which takes place Friday through Sunday, will also mark the NCAA's culmination of its Title IX at 50 campaign, which has highlighted current and former NCAA student-athletes and trailblazers and celebrated women's achievements in sports.
The NCAA will host five participants from the 2022 Rising Media Stars class at the Final Four. The cohort will be covering various aspects of the games and open practices, while also amplifying surrounding events in the Dallas community and various happenings at Tourney Town and other fan-related activities. They will also share storylines and engage in professional development opportunities. This effort amplifies both organizations' commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, while highlighting the importance of career transition for student-athletes.
The NCAA championships group and inclusion, education and community engagement group are eager to work with Rising Media Stars.
"A collaboration with Rising Media Stars is a divine match for NCAA inclusion, education and community engagement," said Felicia Martin, NCAA senior vice president of inclusion, education and community engagement. "RMS' goals and values are perfectly aligned with our priorities specific to offering diverse hiring resources, services and programming. Since IECE has an ongoing goal to address career pipeline gaps, we are pleased to support RMS' mission to diversify sports communication and broadcasting with talented women of color."
"We are so grateful to Felicia Martin, Victor Hill, Natalie Steger and Rick Nixon of the NCAA for their commitment to bringing this partnership to life," said LaChina Robinson, co-founder of Rising Media Stars, television broadcaster and a former basketball student-athlete at Wake Forest University. "It is a full circle moment for me as a former student-athlete, NCAA Leadership Institute alum, and former NCAA.com reporter, to align with the Association in our shared mission to increase diversity in sports broadcasting and accelerate opportunities for women of color."
