Athletics does not serve as an engine but more like a charging system of social mobility, enabling thousands of African Americans to earn scholarships to college.  It gives African Americans a way to earn an education. When a student athlete enrolls in college, they are not majoring in a sport.  The student-athlete’s first priority is to receive a diploma in the area that he/she has majored in.

Being an African American athlete myself, I can say that athletics has been a great motivation to my life.  It has kept me busy and focused on the things that I need to accomplish.  I have learned leadership skills, time management skills, and have developed a great work ethic.

When I was a little girl, I grew up in a low-income neighborhood and my No. 1 goal in life has always been to be a successful lawyer – not to be a pro athlete. The accomplishments that I have earned with my athletic abilities have made me a stronger person.  It has reassured me that anything is possible and that dreams can become realities.

Now, I am a role model for many and I have touched many lives. Student-Athletes encourage children to focus on their education and discourage them from focusing on the streets. Athletics is a tool to keep African American athletes focused on the big prize, which are their career goals such as becoming doctors, lawyers, engineers, etc.

Many may wonder why African Americans use athletics as a charging system, and this is because African Americans do not have a lot of the same opportunities as others. African Americans lead the United States in poverty, because there are so few opportunities.

The children in these situations look for something to grasp their attention. Sports are something to keep them occupied with their time.  Once a child has downtime on their hands there is so much to get into.  When anyone has down time on their hands there is so much to get into.  Athletics is used to keep children out of trouble and to keep them focused on something that is productive. 

The opportunities that are available for African Americans are limited. Athletics does not lure children away from career goals, but provides a pathway or another door to choose to help reach the goals they have set for themselves. African Americans use athletics as a charging system but not as an ENGINE.