Charmin Smith Joins the Advancement of Blacks in Sports

BERKELEY – Continuing her activism in pursuit of racial justice, Cal women's basketball head coach Charmin Smith has recently joined the Advancement of Blacks in Sports (ABIS). Smith will serve as the co-chair of a subcommittee focused on hiring practices.
 
"I'm honored to have been given the opportunity to collaborate with so many peers on the goal of dismantling systemic racism within sports," Smith said. "This group is committed to doing the work needed to force change."
 
ABIS is a newly formed non-profit organization with a mission to connect and inspire people to boldly advocate for racial, social, and economic justice for blacks in sports. The organization works to foster a culture of equity and inclusion in every aspect.
 
Since the death of George Floyd, ABIS founder and basketball grassroots coaching legend, Gary Charles, has identified and partnered with a unique collaborative team of leading African American professionals in sports, music, law and business to assist in the normalization of equal rights and fair treatment of black people.
 
"ABIS seeks to align with student-athletes and other professionals who are willing to use their voices for the betterment of all blacks in sports," Charles said. "It's time for advancement!"
 
Objectives for ABIS include economic sustainability, education, grassroots and community outreach, racial equity research and student athlete engagement. These goals serve as the guiding framework for the elimination of inequitable hiring and retention practices in sports, access to economic opportunities at sporting events for black business owners, increasing awareness of the value of curriculum that teaches African American history and more.
 
For more information about ABIS, click here.