The sweetness that’s Black Girl Magic was celebrated once more on the
Essence Black Women In Sports Brunch when Basketball Hall of Famers, Dawn Staley and Swin Money received top honors.

The occasion took place on the Essence Festival of Culture in Recent Orleans, and in an area adorned with flower bouquets, beautiful smiles and excited attendees, the brunch became a shiny spot amidst all of the events the festival weekend offered.

The brunch kicked off with a robust and emotional speech from Essence CEO, Caroline Wanga, and continued with basketball icons, Dawn Staley and Swin Money, receiving their flowers for all of the excellence they’ve sown into women’s basketball and the continued efforts for progress and fairness in female sports. Each basketball Hall of Famers shared the importance of furthering the cause for black women in sports beyond the brunch and the way much the sport of basketball shaped their lives within the easiest of the way.

Because the festivities continued, ESPN anchor and host for the day, Elle
Duncan, moderated a robust conversation with Swin and Dawn concerning the lasting impacts of Title IX and the way the laws shaped their basketball journeys. Following her chat with the honorees, Elle curated an impactful conversation with WNBA All-Star, Angel McCoughtry, football star, Santia Deck and Executive Director for the NBA Players’ Association, Michele A. Roberts, about entrepreneurship, WNBA star, Brittany Griner’s, detainment in Russia and the general outlook of where black women can take their skills and careers in sports.

From hearty laughs to teary moments, the Essence Black Women in Sports Brunch, embodied the totality of the black female experience: emotion, empowerment, inspiration, excitement, and an innate desire to maneuver forward despite the percentages.