Historical Recognition Fisk University Women’s Gymnastics Team

WHEREAS, Fisk University, founded in 1866 and located in Nashville, Tennessee, is one of the oldest Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the nation; and

WHEREAS, The University provides students with the holistic, 21st century education they need to lead successful, significant lives; and

WHEREAS, Fisk teaches its students to be conscious of societal trends and impacts, to ensure they courageously advocate for themselves and the communities of which they are a part; and

WHEREAS, For over 150 years, Fisk has challenged students to shatter ceilings, be aspirational thinkers, make a difference, and create generational change; and

WHEREAS, Fisk University creates environments that enhance diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in both academic and extracurricular activities covering a broad range of interests; and

WHEREAS, Fisk is intentional in providing creative and innovative extracurricular activities, for its students, including in the areas of music, STEM, and athletics; and

WHEREAS, The Fisk University Women's Gymnastics Team, the first HBCU Intercollegiate Artistic Gymnastics Team, was created in the summer of 2022 and began competing within the NCAA in January 2023; and

WHEREAS, The members of the Fisk University Women's Gymnastics Team exemplify excellence in their sport and their academics as outstanding student athletes; and

WHEREAS, The members of the Fisk University Women's Gymnastics Team, is making history as the first HBCU team to compete at the NCAA level; and

WHEREAS, The members of the Fisk University Women's Gymnastics Team, have proved their competency against more established teams; and

WHEREAS, The members of the Fisk University Women's Gymnastics Team, are demonstrating athletic excellence, providing inspiration to aspiring gymnasts across generations and fostering a vision of greater diversity and inclusion within the college level sport of gymnastics.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the NAACP recognizes and applauds this historic accomplishment of gymnasts and honors them for this historical first, and their past/future accomplishments as African-American women.