Addressing Racial Inequity in the US

February 25, 2022 

In celebration of Black History Month in the US, we’re highlighting partners, collaborations and initiatives that are advancing racial equality and social justice through and in sport. This week, we’re spotlighting the collaborative efforts that led to the Racial Equity Assessment & Learning (REAL) Tool released last September. The free online resource was created for youth community sport providers to address racism in the US, and Beyond Sport and our partners greatly encourage US-based sports organizations to try out the tool. 

Sport's impact has always gone above and beyond courts, pitches and arenas, providing a powerful tool to unify, educate and spur change at all levels. However, with the pandemic both dampening the ability, interest and opportunities for people - particularly youth - to participate in sport and physical activity, as well as further exposing racial and economic inequalities in access, there has been increasing momentum in the world of sport to address racial inequities on and off the field. 

Spurred by the work of Beyond Sport's 2020 Sport for Reduced Racial Inequalities Collective Impact Award-winning cohort supported by The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation, a collective of sport for social change leaders, youth-focused community sport providers and experts in sport and subjects related to race created a resource to help the community sport sector identify potential gaps affecting racial equity work at the organizational and structural levels. The resulting Racial Equity Assessment and Learning Tool (REAL)  was the culmination of the group's year-long collaboration to find the best ways to harness sport to address racial inequities and support Black and minority communities.

The creation of the REAL Tool was inspired by a nationwide survey of youth sport providers led by Beyond Sport and the Play Equity Fund to better understand how sport is utilized to address issues around racism. Findings from the survey encompassing 18 projects in 21 cities was released last year in the fall. Through several case studies, the Mapping Sports’ Role In Reducing Inequality In the U.S. explores the role sports has in bridging the divide between those from different backgrounds. 

The results reflected that community organizations weren’t directly addressing the systemic aspects of racial inequality. According to the report that included an online survey to the Beyond Sport Network of sport for development organizations, 60% regarded addressing racial inequality as a by-product of their project, as opposed to the main focus. 

Following on from the results, there was clear scope for improving an organization’s ability to evaluate its impact. Since it was launched, more than 120 organizations have used the REAL Tool, and over two-thirds of respondents either fully or partially overtly include references to racial equity. With 73% of respondents feeling that they could be better at stating racial equity as an objective in their programs, there is a clear real need for tools to help organizations implement racial equality in their practices.

If you’re a youth-focused sport for development organization based in the US, please use this free tool to help support and advance racial equity across the sector.

The 2020 Sport for Reduced Racial Inequalities Collective Impact Award winners include: America SCORES New York, the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, Memphis Inner City Rugby and PeacePlayers US - all leading youth-focused community sport providers and experts in subjects related to race. This tool was the outcome of partners and experts in sports and subjects related to race, guided by an Expert Advisory Panel and thinkBeyond (Beyond Sport’s sister consultancy).