Celebrating Pride Month: Chicago Rowing Union
The Chicago Rowing Union was founded in 2005 by a group of 12 gay men, who wanted to compete at the 2006 Gay Games, being held in Chicago. Since then, the team has expanded to roughly 60 rowers from diverse backgrounds. CRU offers learn to row, novice and competitive programs that compete across the US. One of their annual traditions is to hold a Pride Row in June where novice rowers and competitive athletes row together and then relax and bond during an all-team cookout.
Black Kids Go Fast by Joshua Rafferty
Last summer, I had the privilege of attending the Black Student-Athlete Summit in Los Angeles, CA. At the conference, there were over 500 varsity student-athletes across all NCAA divisions. I had the honor of meeting the most talented, hard-working, smart, and kind people with whom I have ever interacted. As I met track runner after track runner, I began to wonder where the rowers were. Joshua Rafferty interviews Black athletes and coaches on their rowing journey, poses the question "How can we get more Black kids in college boats?" and discusses ways that we can diversify our sport at the higher levels.
Celebrating the Launch of Xavier Rowing Club
In September 2023, New Orleans Rowing Club and Xavier University of Louisiana partnered to launch the Xavier Rowing Club program, becoming only the second of its kind at a Historically Black College or University. The initiative is currently led by NORC members Elizabeth Manley and Chloé Jobin. Over the past months, more than a dozen enthusiastic Xavier students with no previous rowing experience have learned the fundamentals of the sport on the waters of Bayou St. John and at the NORC indoor rowing facility. The team is eager to continue to train this season with a group of capable and eager novice rowers, and they hope to race in fours or eights in the spring.
Honoring Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month
My name is Tammara Quevedo and I am a senior studying Kinesiology and Disability Studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I am a current varsity member for the Illinois Rowing Team. I started rowing my freshman year of college and I have fallen in love with the sport ever since. In celebration of Latinx and Hispanic Heritage month, I am honored to have JL Racing invite me to the conversation about what it is like to be a Latina in the rowing community and celebrate my culture.
Baltimore Community Rowing: Reach High Baltimore
On February 2nd, we launched our new Men's Unity Unisuit and Women's Unity Unisuit in honor of Black History Month. We will be donating a portion of sales of the Men's and Women's Unity unisuits purchased in February 2023 to Baltimore Community Rowing, and their Reach High Baltimore Program. Read about how BCR is working to increase diversity, accessibility, and inclusion in Baltimore, one stroke at a time.
"Black People in Rowing: Our Stories, Our Future" by Joshua Rafferty
As Black History Month approaches, esteemed black leaders, activists, athletes, artists, and so many more are highlighted. It serves as an opportunity to take a step back and look at the history and future of our beloved sport through the lens of black people.
Team JL Spotlight: Rusna Sangha
Team JL Ambassador, Rusna Sangha is working to increase Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the sport of rowing, one stroke at a time. After joining her local rowing team, she realized that although there were similarities between her and the other rowers, there was one thing that made her different: She was one of only three BIPOC athletes on the team. By the end of her novice year, she was the only BIPOC athlete left on the team. Read about Rusna's story, and her goals for not only herself as a rower, but for increasing DEI in rowing as a community.
Rowers For Change 2021 - A STEM to Stern Fundraiser
The STEM to Stern program, which JL Racing proudly partners with, is holding a fundraiser that began September 15, and will run through the Head of the Charles Regatta. The Rowers For Change 2021 fundraiser will support the work that STEM to Stern is doing for kids across the United States so they are able to participate in youth rowing, STEM education and swimming.
She Will Win
Gender gaps within all sports continue to linger. Such gaps include difference in pay, participation and media viewership amongst female athletes. However, at She Will Win, they have chosen to take an action based approach instead of dwelling on histories of the past. Join She Will Win, as they strive to get more women in boats - from youth to the professional level.
STEM to Stern Partnership
JL Racing is proud to announce our partnership with STEM to Stern! Through this collaboration we will help promote diversity and inclusion in rowing programs everywhere. JL looks forward to helping support lower-income rowing athletes and organizations with essential training and racing gear.
Black History Month 2021 by, Maurice Scott
Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Also known as African American History Month, since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating Black history. Join us in celebrating Black History Month 2021 with these unique performance apparel designs and let us promote diversity in our favorite sport!
A Most Beautiful Thing: Coming Soon In Paperback!
A Most Beautiful Thing by, Arshay Cooper is the moving true story of a group of young men growing up on Chicago's West side who form the first all-black high school rowing team in the nation, and in doing so not only transform a sport, but their lives. This triumphant tale will be available in paperback starting February 23, 2021.
