Queens Coaches Collaborate to Form Royals Racial Reconciliation Coalition

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Earlier this year, coaches at Queens University of Charlotte joined forces to establish a committee that would further emphasize their great responsibility and eagerness to push back against racial prejudice. Known as the Royals Racial Reconciliation Coalition, or R3C, this group stands alongside and supports those who have been fighting for equality and justice for far too long. During these times of uncertainty and social unrest, Queens head basketball coaches – Jen Brown (women's) and Bart Lundy (men's) – took time to discuss their thoughts on the impact of the coalition, their responsibility as leaders, and the importance of voter registration.

Brown, a former assistant coach at Virginia Tech, now entering her first season at the helm for the Royals, acknowledged that the need for unity between Queens and the surrounding community played a strong role in the coalition coming to life.

"I think with the current state of our country, in terms of racial relations, police brutality and social unrest … I firmly believe this group was necessary for Queens," said Brown. "We need to ensure that our university and local communities come together and support each other."

"As a black woman, that alone is enough motivation to make sure I'm setting the right example," she added.

Lundy, entering his 13^th-year leading the way as head coach for Queens men's basketball, indicated that following the recent tragedies involving blacks in the United States – and the protests that followed – that it's crucial for students, coaches and other staff members to have a platform to express their opinions and share experiences.

As a leader, support for those around you is paramount. Lundy, who acknowledged that a large portion of African American students at Queens are student-athletes, understands his own actions are crucial to impacting those around him to speak up and influence change.

"We're at point in time where, if you're silent, then you're probably on the wrong side of things," he claimed. "Being that most of my players are black – and some of my staff – I want to make sure that I'm showing full and unwavering support, as much as I can."

Through these times, it's common for us to lean on our parents, coaches, professors and friends, to help us through personal struggles and societal issues.

"Our overall mission is to ensure that people of color always have a 'safe haven' here at Queens," Brown added. "Our policy is zero tolerance for bigotry or racism of any form."

In addition to the R3C, Queens women's basketball organized an event called Walk the Walk. This event – conducted virtually – called for students, athletes and staff to share a photo or video via social media, stating "Walk the Walk" during an eight-minute walk or run. The main purpose of this exercise was to bring acute awareness to the racial climate, bringing Queens and the city of Charlotte closer together.

"It was the same day as the March on Washington," Brown alluded. "Having to remain virtual and unable to execute a march all together, or be in Washington (D.C.) … this was a way for us to unite as a university. We came together for a common goal and were able to raise awareness for social and racial injustice."

In her first year leading the way for the women's basketball program, she's quick to mention what she loves already about the Queens family.

"Being new, it was phenomenal to see how many great human beings we have here who were willing to join us in these efforts," she mentioned. "Walk the Walk definitely set the stage for what we want to do next … and that's to get every eligible citizen at Queens registered to vote!"

Both coaches agree that making sure everyone is educated and caught up on the significance of voting is a top priority. As an American people, the topic of voting during a time of unrest in our country has been at the forefront of many conversations. From professional athletes to celebrities or our next-door neighbors, there is a heightened awareness to let everyone know their voice matters.

"We believe voting is a right that has been given to all of us," said Lundy. "It's well-proven that if you vote as a young person, you'll continue to vote as you get older. We want our guys to understand how to register, whether they're home or away from home. And it's important for them to understand the magnitude of each vote."

Coach Brown added, "We don't care who you vote for, we're not here to discuss that. It's vitally important to do your civil duty and get registered to vote."

The R3C is another example of the great initiatives being carried out on campus at Queens and with the community. The coalition has laid the foundation for Royals athletics to make a positive impact and instill change during the cultural divide we've seen around the world.

"Sports touch a lot of people from many backgrounds," Brown stated. "When you see a Jen Brown next to a Bart Lundy or Queens athletic director, Cherie Swarthout … it's cool to see how many people care about the same thing. It's easy to get caught up in what you see on television. To see people of all color involved with Queens in the community, I think, was very uplifting for not only the university, but also for Mecklenburg County."

Like on the playing field, the grind never stops. The same thing goes for all of us throughout our lives. Don't come up short. Avoid complacency. Continue to have discussions and take steps forward. At Queens, it's the combined effort of a community that has united together to impose proper justice and racial equality for those who have been suppressed, time and time again.

"We need to remain focused on a couple things," Lundy concluded. "One, we need to ensure that this isn't just a short-term movement. This needs to span over a long period to inflict change. Additionally, we want to have items that we can act on. Everyone can say things – but if there's no action or measurable – how do we know we made a sizeable difference?"

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