Joy Drop: Black Girl Hockey Club making a welcome move north

Hello friends! It’s true, I have been elated all week.

First of all, my favourite movie turned twenty years old. Yes, 20. Bend It Like BeckhamThis is undoubtedly the greatest film about sports ever made. According to my view. 

Apart from that joy, I also enjoyed another type of joy: the brilliance and skill of Black Women in Hockey. You might be asking questions. You may have some questions. I will answer them in this week’s Joy Drop. 

A few months ago, Black Girl Hockey Club and MLSE Foundation decided to collaborate on an event — basically a Toronto takeover. There were many Zoom meetings, spreadsheets and Slack messages, reservations and reservations. Conversations also took place between core members from BGHC, Launchpad staff and members of the advocacy committee.  Renee Hess founder of BGHC, Taylor Green and Rochelle Taylor were among the many BGHC volunteers who traveled to Toronto to take part in this series. 

BGHC and MLSE hosted a Sunday community event with activities, food and connections. The event was run by MLSE Launchpad volunteers. Following that was a panel with Olympic gold medallists Sarah Nurse, Toronto Six player Saroya Tinker, Dayton O’DonoghueToronto Junior Aeros Raegan SubbanTSN’s Bardown. 

The panel was extraordinary. While I have moderated many events over the years, this event was exceptional. It was not only the first event with an all-Black panel of women on hockey, but also it was a unique event that was full of joy. It was a place for people to share their successes, to look at the future and to understand the challenges. 

It is not easy to be a racialized woman in sports spaces. These panellists possess the talent, passion, and skills that are necessary to achieve success when they work hard. They are athletes and mentors for young women, as well as community organizers. They make it possible to dream. It was so exciting and heartwarming to share their experiences with such sincerity. 

There were photos taken with panelists after the panel and members of the community gathered to chat. It is a place that is not always accessible or created. It understands that Black women can be exceptional and that they have created space for other marginalized communities. Renee Hess saw the value in creating community four years ago when she founded this organization.

Her presence in the hockey space has united so many people and given us a reason to enjoy the game together, welcome others and work together toward anti-racist and inclusive models within hockey culture. She is an amazing person, and I consider her a dear friend. It can be exhausting to work on passion projects, but when you find spaces and places that are filled with happiness and not trauma (despite hardships), it is always reason for celebration. 

Other BGHC events include a Marlies game, a visit at the Hockey Hall of Fame and a walking tour of Toronto Black History. Jacqueline Scott.  

The BGHC family went to a Maple Leafs match after a great lunch hosted by Toronto Maple Leafs to honor women and Black Excellence. While I admit that I am a Habs fan, this was the first time I wore a tshirt from this wonderful collaboration. 

It’s not surprising that BGHC is coming to Canada as an organization. Renee’s vision will inspire and support many more young girls from different communities. 

It has been an incredible joy to find a hockey community that feels like home, which understands and unites people who love the game while also focusing on creating inclusive spaces. My heart has been shaped by the faces of young girls and adults who are captivated by the excitement of hockey. 

This is what you know if you are already part of a hockey team. It was a rewarding experience for those who were often at the margins. Black Girl Hockey Club offers a “Enjoy Uncomfortable Living” pledge. It is a campaign that “disrupts racism” on and off ice. 

This pledge is for everyone who is part of the hockey community. Please consider signing it and encourage your friends, teams, and organizations to do the exact same. Hockey will only be truly for everyone if we can eradicate racism and other forms oppression. 

Let me leave you with this song by Stan Rogers. You know what you are doing if you don’t know.