While most are focusing on the diversity and social justice efforts in the NFL and NBA, MLS has quietly, yet successfully, scored victory after victory.
Unfortunately, not many outside of the sport have properly acknowledged or appreciated their accomplishments.
In 2020, Black MLS players launched “Black Players For Change”, an independent organization featuring over 170 MLS players, coaches and staff. Their goal is to address the racial inequalities and injustices Black people face in both MLS and society, something they’ve taken very seriously after George Floyd’s murder.
It’s not just the players taking action as teams like FC Dallas and D.C. United have committed to fostering change and embracing diversity as well.
And MLS itself manifests the diversity of the global sport as well,
In 2020, according to Forbes.com, 200 of the 780 MLS rosters spots were held by Black players from 35 different nations including the United States, Canada, Columbia, Franc, Brazil and other countries.
That accounts for roughly 25.6% of the league.
This isn’t by chance, for MLS puts its money where its mouth is when it comes to diversity efforts.
In 2019, the league earned an A rating for racial hiring from The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport (TIDES) at the University of Central Florida.
That’s something MLS EVP and Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, Sola Winley, told me the league is proud of and committed to maintaining.
“We have to be able to show up and show the diversity we talk about,” said Winley during our conversation.
And show up is what MLS did in its most recent partnership.
MLS and The National Black Bank Foundation
Last month, the league announced a historic partnership with the National Black Bank Foundation (NBBF) to help bring financial empowerment to Black businesses and communities.
Through a $25 million loan secured through a syndicate of Black banks, MLS aims to bring financial equity to communities of color across the country through lines of credit for home and small business loans.
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