HAMILTON – Keelah Dixon doesn't hesitate one bit when asked about her favorite part of the new Patriot League Anti-Racism Commission.
It's the student-athlete representation.
"Without that, you're not really getting the full story," Dixon said. "I really like that they are asking how we feel about things, about language, and that they are making sure to hear our input."
The senior from Boston is one of five Colgate representatives to the
new commission, which formed last July to examine areas in which systemic racism is occurring within the Patriot League. The group seeks practical solutions for long-term change.
Joining Dixon from the Colgate contingent is Vice President and Director of Athletics Dr.
Nicki Moore, Deputy Athletics Director and Senior Woman Administrator
Juliana Smith, Colgate University Dean of Students Dorsey Spencer Jr., and Women's Soccer Head Coach
Lyndse Hokanson.
'On Board 100 Percent'
"
Nicki Moore called me before we returned to school in the fall and asked if I wanted to be Colgate's student-athlete representative," Dixon said. "I was on board 100 percent."
Dixon is a member of the Colgate Athletics Raiders of Color Connect, which is one of the first groups of its kind in the Patriot League. ROCC serves as a support program seeking to improve the overall experience of minority student-athletes on the Colgate campus, and to create solidarity and community between non-white athletes.
"It has been nice to show how we put together a mission statement and what we have been doing thus far," Dixon said of the Colgate ROCC. "Some schools are just now creating these groups and there is room for improvement, but it has been nice to exchange information, show insight and collaborate with them by showing the steps we have taken thus far."
She also is a wellness advocate and works for the campus Shaw Wellness Center. Among her successes have been organizing educational platforms for student-athletes of color, along with inclusivity events and educational pieces to help understand the experiences of people of color.
Taking the Lead
A captain on the Colgate basketball team, Dixon has joined forces with Mikajah Hayes, who is a track and field athlete at Boston University, to form the Student-Athletes of Color (SAOC) Leadership Council.
Dixon calls it her biggest contribution to the commission thus far.
"As a commission, we decided to create an SACO group in order to bridge initiatives across the Patriot League, unify leaders of color, and highlight the student-athlete voice," Dixon said. "Richard Zhu from the Patriot League office has served as the liaison.
"We got the leaders of each school's respective ROCC groups and we meet as a support group, talking about what initiatives we are doing and how we are getting through Covid and getting over these hurdles and bringing people together and strengthening the community. Mikajah and I took the lead and we were happy to do that. I've also enjoyed getting to know other athletes across the Patriot League, discussing issues we face and how we are overcoming them."
From the Top Down
Dixon's area of focus with the larger commission has been league policies. She is interested in how things work from the top down and eager to make more change as an entire league. Obviously, educational items come first.
But there need to be steps after.
"What's good about the commission is we have multiple groups working toward multiple goals, but we also help each other when we have ideas," Dixon said. "We've met with some pretty impressive scholars, like Dr. (Ibram X.) Kendi – I've read some of his books on my own, some in my African American courses (her minor is African American studies). It was great getting perspective from scholars like him.
"One of the big things has been the language itself in these policies I'm studying. When you look back at all of the league-wide statements, breaking down the language and how it can be problematic is vital – especially for student-athletes."
Dixon's fellow student-athlete members of the commission also helped develop and promote
this weekend's commitment to the pursuit of anti-racism during men's and women's basketball games. The commission created and distributed shirts and a logo that represent each of the League's member institutions and the phrase, "Pursuing Anti-Racism."
Strengthening Bonds
Dixon is enjoying the process and wants to see it continue even after her May graduation. She says there is always going to be resistance to change, but that's exactly why she jumped at the chance offered by her athletics director.
She wants to change things for the better.
"You have people who disagree with you pretty forcefully and want to stay on the traditional side of things," Dixon said. "But it's been beneficial to be in those discussions and see how these processes come about.
"My main focus has been the Student-Athletes of Color Leadership Council, and I want to see that continue and strengthen the bonds between schools. I'm graduating soon, but I've told the group that I want to see them stay supportive, stay collaborative, and hold the Patriot League accountable for supporting SAOC and enhancing the SAOC experience."
Because as Dixon sees it, student-athlete input equals success, both for the Patriot League and its promising Anti-Racism Commission.