The Legacy of the Black Women in Sport Foundation

In 1972, Alpha Alexander stepped onto the campus of the College of Wooster as a pioneer. Fresh off the enactment of Title IX, she became a four-sport student-athlete in basketball, volleyball, tennis, and lacrosse. However, as the only Black female athlete at her institution for two years, Alexander recognized a critical gap in representation. This experience became the catalyst for the founding of the Black Women in Sport Foundation in 1992, an organization dedicated to advancing Black girls and women in every facet of the sporting world.

Co-founded alongside trailblazers Nikki Franke, Tina Sloan Green, and Linda Greene, the foundation focuses on a holistic transition for athletes, ensuring they have the tools to move from the playing field to the boardroom.

A Foundation Built on Research and Representation

The group first coalesced at Temple University, where the founders were already making history as coaches and professors. Their collaboration was sparked by a shared observation: the specific concerns of African American women were often absent from national conversations about women’s sports.

To address this, the founders utilized their diverse expertise:

• Grassroots Programming: Introducing children from underrepresented communities to nontraditional sports such as fencing, field hockey, and tennis.
• Mentorship and Education: Creating a “training ground” for younger women to discuss professional hurdles and gain insight from those who had successfully navigated the collegiate and professional ranks.
• Legal and Psychological Frameworks: Leveraging Linda Greene’s legal background and Alexander’s focus in sports psychology to protect and empower athletes.

Expanding the Scope of Career Pursuits

The foundation’s mission is rooted in the belief that the discipline of a student-athlete is a direct precursor to executive success. Through programs like the Sisters in Sport Science camp, the foundation helps participants see the intersection between their athletic skills and academic major, particularly in STEM and management.

Passing the Torch to a New Generation

As of early 2026, the foundation is undergoing a seamless leadership transition. In 2024, Traci Green—daughter of co-founder Tina Sloan Green and current head women’s tennis coach at Harvard—assumed the role of foundation president. Having grown up within the organization and competed as a national champion at the University of Florida, Traci Green embodies the foundation’s “playing field to boardroom” pipeline.

The founders remain active on the board, providing a bridge between the historical struggles for equity and the modern opportunities of 2026. Their goal remains constant: to ensure that guidance and representation are available to every Black girl and woman pursuing a life in sports.