During Black History Month/African Heritage Month, Brock Sports and Recreation is publishing open letters from Black student-athletes, sharing their stories, experiences and perspectives in their own words.
Before I ever stepped onto a basketball court, I was being trained for something bigger than the game. I was being shaped by two Black role models who understood that in this world, and especially in sport, talent alone would never be enough.
Both my parents came to Canada at a young age in search of a better life, not just for themselves but for the children they hoped to raise. I grew up in a loving household where discipline, hard work and resilience were expectations, not just values. Those principles became the foundation of my journey as a Black athlete navigating sport in a predominantly white country.
My father is my biggest male role model. His character and leadership have shaped me into the man I am today. Before moving to Canada, he was a soccer player, and while the game changed for him, his mentality never did. His work ethic, perseverance and calm demeanor stayed with him and were passed on to me. He taught me how to be stoic in moments of pressure, how to trust my training when doubt creeps in and how to respond when things don't go my way. As a Black athlete, I learned from my dad that leadership doesn't always require words; sometimes it's about carrying yourself with purpose and leading by example. In spaces where I often felt like I had to prove myself twice over, my father showed me how to stay grounded. He reminded me that adversity is not something to fear but something to move through with confidence and integrity.
Some of the most important lessons in my basketball career came from my mother, my biggest female role model. From the earliest stages of my basketball career, she taught me discipline and humility. She emphasized the importance of being coachable and always placing myself in a position to learn from others. She showed me how to receive criticism without letting it define me and how to hold my head high in moments of doubt. Through her, I learned what true confidence looks like: not arrogance but belief in your preparation and your worth.
Together, my parents have shown me that being a Black athlete is about more than performance; it's about resilience, pride and purpose. Their lessons continue to guide me, not just as an athlete but as a person, and they are the reason I believe so strongly in creating space for the next generation to dream bigger, stand taller and move forward unapologetically.
