Reed: "We usually judge others according their actions but we judge ourselves by our intentions. Even if we make a mistake, we let ourselves off the hook if we believe our intentions were good. But impact is greater than intentions. To show up as an ally in a non-performative way, you're not afraid to check yourself first. Are you not just talking the talk, but more importantly, walking the walk?"

Reed: "Representation is essential to increasing access, equity and inclusivity in sports, because it's very hard to become something you cannot see. "The reason why I chose softball for my career in college is because my mom took me to a UCLA softball game when I was 12 years old. I saw a Black shortstop that looked like me by the name of Natasha Watley. That's the moment when I decided I wanted to grow up and play for UCLA just like her."

Reed: "When we talk about the intersectionality of race and mental health, we have to understand the magnitude of folks who are carrying the weight of both simultaneously. There's already enough pressure to perform as athletes."

Marti Reed, Positive Coaching Alliance: "Intersectionality is really important to understand because it shows up that social identities work on multiple levels, resulting in unique experiences, opportunities and barriers for each person."

Thank you for having us a part of this important conversation!!

Intersectionality of Race & Mental Health Webinar Recap: positivecoach.org/the-pca-blog/recap-the-intersectionality-of-mental-health-and-race-webinar/

Glossary for Race, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: devzone.positivecoach.org/resource/externallink/rise-glossary-race-diversity-equity-inclusion

Racial Stereotypes & Athletic Ability: devzone.positivecoach.org/resource/externallink/rise-racial-stereotypes-athletic-ability

How to Encourage Athletes to Share How They're Feeling: www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLAJ5JS2HAg

Thank you, Marti Reed at Positive Coaching Alliance your words are very powerful and positive! I have been a Soccer Coach for years now. I have always empowered my "adopted youths" by giving them me. Now as a Coordinator and Coach of 5 teams + adaptive players and never having played a day of soccer I have the power of patience to give my all to all of the youths. I have 1 child who is white and my other 2 are blasian. And I have seen it first hand how much differently my 2 blasian children are treated by others. You see I was labeled as a kid as "differently able'd" growing up and I was told that I would NEVER walk again because of an accident. But I NEVER took it lying down. I endured many years of therapy to learn how to move better. Now I can run with the kids at double practices 3 hours everyday and be an inspiration to not only my teams but my community. Mental health is something that needs to be addressed especially in sports. I evaluate my youths every time we meet. And if anyone has a problem or question I will pull them off to the side and let them get whatever is on their chest off. We will "walk & talk it off".

How to be an Ally: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ThthsebP68

We will be hosting a webinar this month on Mental Health; register here: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_HFamJnZyTeuhv4UAN5pUSQ

Thank you PCA

You folks should concentrate on developing soccer players and not all of this race and equity garbage going around.