Black Student Athlete Summit '25
Four Panther representatives traveled to Chicago to attend the 2025 version of the summit.
Panthers United: Institutional Engagement & Wellbeing
Overview
Purpose
Panthers United strives to promote an environment of inclusion for our student-athletes, coaches and staff through education, dialogue and through the celebration of our differences.
Strategic Pillars
The following areas have been identified as top priorities for Pitt Athletics by the Panthers United committee. They cover five key subjects, which include:
- Recruitment and hiring
- Retention, development and success
- A culture of belonging
- Positively impacting the community
- Raising awareness and celebrating Pitt Athletics’ EDI efforts
Learn More
Key Initiatives
View the initiatives and voices of change below to learn more about how Pitt Athletics is fostering a culture of inclusion and leading the charge in devising a pathway to change.
Athlete Activism Summit '25
Therese Pitman from Pitt Life Skills attended the summit in Portland, Oregon to learn how to further support Pitt student-athletes.
STUDENT ATHLETE DEI EVENT
Panthers United held a DEI-focused event aimed at fostering unity among student-athletes within their teams and communities.
ACC UNITYWEEK AND NCAA DIVERSITY & INCLUSION CAMPAIGN
See all of Pitt's social coverage of ACC UNITYWeek And the NCAA Diversity & Inclusion Campaign.
2024 ACC Unity Tour
In historic Charleston, student-athletes and administrators promoted and encouraged inclusion, racial equity and social justice through the league's 2024 Unity Tour.
2024 ACC UNITE AWARDS
See all of Pitt's social coverage of ACC UNITYWeek And the NCAA Diversity & Inclusion Campaign.
CIVIC ACTION WEEK: CHANGEMAKERS IN CONVERSATION
Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey holds an intimate discussion about diversity and inclusion with Pitt student-athletes.
ACC UNITYWEEK AND NCAA DIVERSITY & INCLUSION CAMPAIGN
See all of Pitt's social coverage of ACC UNITYWeek And the NCAA Diversity & Inclusion Campaign.
2023 ACC UNITE AWARDS
Panthers Ron Idoko and Sheila I. Vélez Martínez have been announced as recipients of the 2023 ACC UNITE Award.
2023 UNITY TOUR
Pitt student-athletes engage in an immersive education experience and visit key sites of the civil rights movement.
CHANGEMAKERS IN CONVERSATION
In February, 2022, former U.S. track and field athlete John Carlos visited the University of Pittsburgh as part of the inaugural Changemakers in Conversation event.
ACC UNITY WEEK
Watch student-athletes engage in conversation with Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey as a part of ACC Unity Week.
2022 ACC UNITE AWARDS
The ACC announced Forever Panthers Dr. Bettina Love, and Herb Douglas as recipients of the 2022 ACC UNITE Award, an award created to honor individuals affiliated with the league who have made an impact in the areas of racial and social justice.
H2P MAGAZINE: HAIL TO HER EDITION
June 23, 2022, marked the 50th anniversary of Title IX, the landmark legislation that made gender equity in sport the law of the land. This edition of H2P Magazine highlights the impact that Title IX had on Pitt athletics in both words and images.
2022 UNITY TOUR
Pitt student-athletes engage in an immersive education experience and visit key sites of the civil rights movement.
WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
Pitt Athletics staff shared inspirational quotes and messages of support with female student-athletes to celebrate women, encourage connection and support their journeys at Pitt.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
A celebration of black history and accomplishments connected to Pitt Athletics to bring awareness to Pitt student-athletes and ‘Forever Panthers’.
AFFINITY GROUPS
Student-athlete created and driven groups focused on build and bridging communities.
MCLENDON MINORITY LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE
A coach-driven program to provide minorities a jump-start to their careers.
ELECTION SCOUTING REPORT
Voting education, led by Towson University Women’s Basketball Associate Head Coach Zach Kancher, focused on state-specific information, down-ballot races and the importance of why and how to vote.
INCLUSION CAMPAIGNS
A week of programming and initiatives to educate and bring awareness to social injustices occurring in the country.
UNITY MESSAGING
Pitt student-athletes proudly use their platforms and their voices to combat social injustice and racism.
STUDENT-ATHLETE REPRESENTATION ON CAMPUS
One of Panthers United’s goals is to ensure that the student-athlete voice is included in decisions that affect the student body.
CHINAZA NDEE TALKS WITH WISE PITTSBURGH
A Candid Conversation Regarding Diversity And Race As A Star Athlete.
DANTÉ WATSON
Pitt student-athlete participates on Juneteenth panel.
UNTIL WE UNITE
Campaign that highlights on-going initiatives and efforts to address racism and social injustice.
VOTING MATTERS
Pitt Athletics encourages voter registration, voter education and voter participation.