At ART U, we empower our student-athletes to realize their full potential academically, professionally, and personally, but that cannot happen without uncomfortable discussions.

Racism is a continued reality that the Black community tirelessly faces every day. Right now, the issue of systemic racism is bigger than sports, and calls for us to stand in solidarity with our Black communities, including our staff, coaches, and student-athletes.

The tragic deaths of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and George Floyd only highlight the ongoing social injustices through many of our nation's institutions that have continued for decades. We must show a unified front to denounce structural racism, and continue to support actions taken to enact meaningful and lasting changes regarding social injustice within the Black community.

We want to listen and to understand, but we also know that actions speak louder than words. The ART U community is looking forward to expanding our work together within our community to conduct impactful discussions, and bring about positive changes in this ongoing fight against racism. It is up to all of us to demand change, and use our privilege to see to it that change is enacted. We cannot be silent, as silence is complicity. We must work to be the change that we want to see in the world.

#BlackLivesMatter


Krystle Evans (SWA/Women's Basketball) - At the forefront of new programming at Academy of Art, senior woman administrator and women's basketball head coach Krystle Evans has been appointed to the institution's recently established Diversity Committee and will be teaching an upcoming course called "COM/LA 212: The History of African American Athletes and the Media." Read more here. #BlackLivesMatter
  Shareez Hamm (Men's Track & Field) -  As a Photography major, men's track & field's Shareez Hamm uses his lens to express himself. Find his work on Instagram at: King.ReezPhotos. #BlackLivesMatter


Jasmin Guinn (Women's Basketball/Track & Field) -  "I don't have words right now, but I have a pen and a piece of paper. Donate, Vote, Sign. We all have a voice. Please continue to use it and be an advocate for Black rights." - Women's Basketball/Track & Field alumni Jasmin Guinn. Find her work on Instagram at: JasminGuinn #BlackLivesMatter


Dante Williams (Men's Basketball), Krystle Evans (Women's Basketball/SWA), Shampayne Clay (Softball) - Members of the Academy of Art community united to support a fundraiser for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. Read the Academy ART U News article here! #BlackLivesMatter
  Hudson Lockette (Men's Cross Country/Track & Field) - In his artistic expression, men's cross country/track & field runner Hudson Lockette honors Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and Pride with these portraits. Find his work on Instagram at: HudsPen #BlackLivesMatter #Pride


Elan Hawkins (Women's Golf) - For Spring Show 2019, Industrial Design major and women's golfer Elan Hawkins shows her creative process in a shoe, clothing, and poster design about the multi-talented American poet Maya Angelou. #BlackLivesMatter
 
Rian Young-Werner (Women's Track & Field) - With appreciation for Egyptian kings and queens, women's track & field jumper Rian Young-Werner offers beautiful tattoo designs highlighted in Spring Show's School of Illustration! Find her work on Instagram at: VioletArtX #BlackLivesMatter
  Elan Hawkins (Women's Golf) - Reflecting on #BlackLivesMatter, women's golfer Elan Hawkins contributed to the development of a new artistic project called #PictureBlackness which shares experiences from Black artists through any creative art form. See the full series at on Instagram at Like_Lani.


Vincent Lontz (Baseball) - Baseball's Vincent Lontz discusses the positive impact of using our voices in his reflections on #BlackLivesMatter.


Juneteenth - One week removed from Juneteenth, relive part of the Bay Area celebration as shot by sports information director Jake Ward.


Scott Waterman (Men's Basketball) - Men's basketball head coach Scott Waterman believes "racism is an evil that must be attacked" in his reflections on #BlackLivesMatter.


Steve Fuelling (Cross Country/Track & Field) - Reflecting on #BlackLivesMatter, cross country head coach and track & field assistant coach Steve Fuelling expresses his intolerance for racism and inequality.


Stefen Henderson (Baseball) - Baseball assistant coach Stefen Henderson offers his perspective on how "unity is the foundation of progression" as he reflects on #BlackLivesMatter.


Andy Moren (Men's Golf) & Michael Morini (Admin) - Men's golf head coach Andy Moren and assistant athletics director of finance & operations Michael Morini each offer resolutions for change as they reflect on #BlackLivesMatter.


Krystle Evans (SWA/Women's Basketball) - Reflecting on #BlackLivesMatter, senior woman administrator and women's basketball head coach Krystle Evans discusses "the talk."


Men's Soccer - Members of the men's soccer team #SayTheirNames as they reflect on #BlackLivesMatter.


Alyssa Brundage (Softball) - Speaking with her actions, softball's Alyssa Brundage was part of a recent #BlackLivesMatter protest in San Francisco.


Dante Williams (Men's Basketball) - Leading off our ongoing series that highlights voices from ART U Athletics reflecting on #BlackLivesMatter is Dante Williams from men's basketball.