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Minority Women in Sports, Inc. Leveling the playing field for the next generation.

Welcome back to NewsWorthy, your roundup of the latest news, stories, and moves happening across sports, spotlighting th...
09/29/2026

Welcome back to NewsWorthy, your roundup of the latest news, stories, and moves happening across sports, spotlighting the women making them happen.

The WNBA playoffs are underway! 🏀

From the broadcast booth to the sidelines and studio, here are some of the voices behind it all. 👏🏽

2026 WBNA Playoffs Coverage
Maria Taylor - Maria Taylor
Zora Stephenson- Zora Stephenson
Elle Duncan- Elle Duncan
Terrika Foster - Brasby - Terrika Foster-Brasby
Renee Montgomery - Renee Montgomery
Tamika Catchings - Tamika Catchings
LaChina Robinson - LaChina Robinson
Angel Gray- Angel Gray
Andraya Carter- Andraya Carter
Tiffany Greene
Carolyn Peck - Carolyn
Malika Andrews - Malika Andrews
Monica Mcnutt- McNutt Monica
Chiney Ogwumike - Chiney
Kayla Grey - Kayla Grey
Chamique Holdsclaw - Chamique Holdsclaw

Yolanda Thomas has been ready for this moment.

As interim head coach of the Orlando Pride — the first Black woman in the history of the National Women’s Soccer League to serve in that role — Thomas’ seat on the touchline may have moved up a few spots from her old post as assistant coach, but her mindset has remained unchanged.

Thomas has occupied this space before. She’s worn the badge of head coach twice, with the Rogers State University women’s soccer team and later Fortuna Tulsa in the Women’s Premier Soccer League. As an assistant coach with the Pride, Thomas helped the team make history by claiming the NWSL shield and championship. She’s worked with the U.S. under-23 women’s national team more than once, including as the head coach of that program’s national team camp last June.

Taj McWilliams-Franklin, six-time WNBA All-Star and two-time WNBA champion, has been named Deputy Commissioner of the UPSHOT League, expanding her leadership role as the professional women’s basketball league builds on its inaugural season and looks ahead to 2027.

As Vice President of Basketball Operations for UPSHOT’s inaugural season, McWilliams-Franklin helped build the league’s basketball infrastructure, laying the groundwork for league procedures, player experience, and coaches and personnel.

The women in the room. ✨Last night’s HBCU/D9 Night Pregame Event in partnership with the Washington Mystics, was a celeb...
09/25/2026

The women in the room. ✨

Last night’s HBCU/D9 Night Pregame Event in partnership with the Washington Mystics, was a celebration of the community that helped shape our careers, the sisterhood that keeps us grounded, and the legacy we carry forward.

There’s something special about women showing up for one another, sharing their stories, and showing that an HBCU education can be the foundation for leadership, influence, and impact.

Thank you to our panelists for being part of such a special night. (left to right)
Andrea Durham, CEO, Minority Women in Sports
Kimberly Marcus, VP Access, Impact & Inclusion, Monumental Sports & Entertainment
Sydney Armbrister, Sr. Manager, Partnerships Activation, D.C. United
Ebonie Williams, General Manager, Howard Women’s Basketball Team
Ashley Grayson, Director of Marketing, Washington Nationals
Stephanie Foo, Deputy Chief of Athletics, DC Parks & Recreation

Meet the Moderator ✨Your Founder & CEO, representing Tennessee State University! Andrea Durham is the Founder and CEO of...
09/24/2026

Meet the Moderator ✨

Your Founder & CEO, representing Tennessee State University!

Andrea Durham is the Founder and CEO of Minority Women in Sports, Inc. (MWIS), a national organization dedicated to empowering and supporting women of color pursuing careers across the sports industry. With over a decade of career experience in sports medicine, Andrea founded MWIS in response to the persistent lack of representation for women of color in many areas of sports beyond competition.

Through MWIS, she leads efforts to create access, build community, and provide mentorship and professional development for women navigating careers across the sports industry. Her work focuses on strengthening the entire sports career pipeline—from young girls exploring opportunities in sports to professionals working to shape the future of the industry today.

As a connector, speaker and founder, Andrea is passionate about fostering more inclusive spaces in sports and equipping women of color with the resources, networks, and support needed to thrive in every arena.

Meet the Panelist ✨Introducing Stephanie Foo, Deputy Chief of Athletics for DC Parks & Recreation, representing Howard U...
09/23/2026

Meet the Panelist ✨

Introducing Stephanie Foo, Deputy Chief of Athletics for DC Parks & Recreation, representing Howard University & Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc

Stephanie is an educator, youth development professional, community advocate, and sports leader with 18 years of experience in education, serving individuals across the lifespan from early learners to adults. She currently serves as Program Manager for Competitive Sports & Leisure Activities with the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), where she supports the development and implementation of citywide recreational opportunities encompassing cycling, baseball, basketball, football, lacrosse, soccer, boxing, tennis, and swimming.

Stephanie’s connection to sports extends beyond program management. She serves as a flag football coach at Cedar Tree Academy and previously coached the girls’ basketball team at Achievement Prep Middle School. Her coaching philosophy uses athletics as a vehicle for developing confidence, teamwork, discipline, leadership, and a sense of belonging among young people.

Stephanie earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Trinity Washington University and is currently a graduate student in Speech-Language Pathology at Howard University. Her background in communications, education, recreation, and community engagement has shaped her commitment to creating environments where people can learn, communicate, participate, and thrive.

We’re excited to have Stephanie joining us for MWIS x Washington Mystics HBCU/D9 pregame event on September 24!

Interested in joining us? 🔗 in bio.
Space is limited.

Meet the Panelist! ✨Introducing Sydney Armbrister, Senior Manager of Partnership Activation for D.C. United, representin...
09/23/2026

Meet the Panelist! ✨

Introducing Sydney Armbrister, Senior Manager of Partnership Activation for D.C. United, representing Delaware State University!

Sydney leads the strategy and ex*****on of integrated corporate partnerships across matchday, digital, community, hospitality, and experiential platforms. With a background spanning partnership activation, sales, event ex*****on, and account strategy, she has built her career at the intersection of sports, marketing, and relationship management.

A former NCAA Division I volleyball player at Delaware State University, Sydney holds a master’s degree in Sports Administration. Originally from Miami, Florida, she is passionate about mentorship and helping others explore the many career paths available in sports beyond the field of play.

We’re excited to have Sydney joining us for MWIS x Washington Mystics HBCU/D9 pregame event on September 24!

Interested in joining us? 🔗 in bio.

Meet the Panelist ✨Introducing Ebonie Williams, General Manager and Chief of Basketball Operations at Howard Women’s Bas...
09/22/2026

Meet the Panelist ✨

Introducing Ebonie Williams, General Manager and Chief of Basketball Operations at Howard Women’s Basketball Team.

Ebonie brings a unique blend of basketball leadership, player development, program building, and community impact to one of the nations best HBCU programs.

A Hagerstown, Maryland native, Williams established her basketball roots in the DMV at Notre Dame Academy, earning Washington Post All-Met recognition while helping lead the program to the No. 1 ranking in the DC area. She went on to earn All-BIG EAST honors at Seton Hall University before finishing her collegiate career at Washburn University, where she was a unanimous WBCA First Team All-American.

Following college, Williams signed her first professional contract to play in Iceland. After returning home in 2017, Williams began coaching at St. James School and has since spent nearly a decade building basketball opportunity throughout her community. Williams now brings her experience as a player, coach, entrepreneur, nonprofit founder, commissioner, and program builder back to the DMV with a clear purpose: to build people, strengthen programs, and create pathways for student-athletes to thrive on and beyond the court.

We’re excited to have Ebonie joining us for MWIS x Washington Mystics HBCU/D9 pregame event on September 24!

Interested in joining us? 🔗 in bio.

Meet the Panelist! ✨Introducing Ashley Grayson, Director of Marketing for the Washington Nationals, representing Morgan ...
09/22/2026

Meet the Panelist! ✨

Introducing Ashley Grayson, Director of Marketing for the Washington Nationals, representing Morgan State University!

Ashley is a marketing executive whose career spans sports, entertainment, media, and some of the world’s most recognized brands. She currently serves as Director of Marketing for the Washington Nationals, where she leads integrated marketing strategy across performance media, email, analytics, and campaign planning.

Previously, Ashley served as Vice President of Social Media at Paramount, overseeing social strategy for BET, BET+, and VH1 and helping drive billions of video views, minutes watched, and engagements across the brands.

Her career also includes work with Disney, Dove, ESPN, Macy’s, Google Fiber, SheaMoisture, and the Ad Council. She also developed Dove’s campaign in support of The CROWN Act.

A former foster youth and first-generation college graduate, Ashley earned her bachelor’s degree from Morgan State University and her MBA from Johns Hopkins University.

We’re excited to have Ashley joining us for MWIS x Washington Mystics HBCU/D9 pregame event on September 24!

Interested in joining us? 🔗 in bio.

Meet the Panelists!All week, we’ll be introducing you to the women joining us for our HBCU/D9 Pregame Event, on Septembe...
09/21/2026

Meet the Panelists!

All week, we’ll be introducing you to the women joining us for our HBCU/D9 Pregame Event, on September 24th at Capital One Arena in partnership with the Washington Mystics.

Each woman brings her own HBCU/D9 connection, career journey, and story, representing D.C. United, Washington Nationals, Howard Women’s Basketball Team, DC Parks & Recreation, and Minority Women In Sports, Inc..

📅 September 24th
⏰5:30pm (pregame event begins)
Mystics vs. Sky tip-off 7:30pm

See you there!

We’re proud to partner with the Washington Mystics to bring you an exclusive pregame experience on September 24. We’re c...
09/14/2026

We’re proud to partner with the Washington Mystics to bring you an exclusive pregame experience on September 24.

We’re celebrating women of color building careers and shaping the future of sports, while honoring the HBCU and Divine Nine ties that are part of their stories.

From the front office to the sidelines, from leadership to entrepreneurship, this is a celebration of the women making their mark across the sports industry.

📅 September 24 (Mystics vs. Sky)
📍 Capital One Arena
⏰ 5:30 PM

(🔗 to join us in bio)

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