Black Star elevates soccer within Black American communities by perfectly combining sport, lifestyle and culture. Through strategic partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities, they create pathways for Black players, celebrate their cultural heritage, and create opportunities for personal and athletic development both on and off the field.
This mission resonates deeply with the ethos of HBCUs, which advocates for representation, opportunity and empowerment. Black Star’s Talent ID camps connect high school athletes with college football opportunities and share their inspiring stories. HBCU student athletes. Together, Black Star and HBCUs are shaping accomplished athletes and nurturing future leaders.
However, Black Star is more than just football. It celebrates Black culture through storytelling, fashion and community engagement with the goal of inspiring the next generation to excel academically and personally.
HBCU Football Players Share Their Experiences
A recent initiative that exemplifies Black Star’s commitment is the Our Place to Play series, which provides a platform for HBCU athletes to share their stories. The series recently featured members of the Alabama State University women’s soccer team and several players from Paul Quinn College.
Our place to play: Kensley Simmons, Alabama State and Football
Reflecting on the intertwining of football and HBCU pride, Alabama State University junior Kensley Simmons shared her experience as a student-athlete. Representing an HBCU means a lot to Kensley. “Representing an HBCU, especially one that my grandparents graduated from, is very important and special to me,” says Simmons.
Since the age of three, soccer has been Kensley’s sanctuary. “It makes me feel free and very happy because I don’t have any worries when I play football,” he said. His appreciation for the sport is contagious, reflecting its transformative impact on his life and personality.
Kensley’s journey highlights the strength of HBCU culture and the global connections made through football. It serves as a celebration of heritage, diversity, and the nurturing environment that HBCUs provide for athletes to flourish.
Our Place to Play: Paul Quinn College Creates Family and Opportunity Through Soccer
At Paul Quinn College, football is more than just a game – it embodies the family bond. Players from diverse backgrounds come together around their common love of sports and the close-knit community of an HBCU. “Playing football here at Paul Quinn is like a big old family,” said one student. “They welcomed me not as an ordinary student, but as a family.”
The football program at Paul Quinn began with one student’s vision for a football team, showing how HBCUs empower students to turn their ideas into reality.
This journey highlights the unique role these institutions play in fostering dreams, leadership and legacies that extend beyond the field.
Learn more about Black Star
Are you interested in how Black Star is developing Black football culture and breaking new ground? visit their website learn more about their mission and explore the events they organize around the country.
You may also be interested in subscribing End to End— a biweekly newsletter that shares both on-field news and off-field stories celebrating the intersection of football and Black culture through fashion, music, art and more. Join the movement as they spotlight emerging players, celebrate memorable moments and highlight celebrities who have influenced the growth of football. Black Star is at the forefront of championing black football communities and culture from end to end.
