In the midst of Pride Month, where we proudly paint the U.S.A. the colors of the rainbow, there are ten Black female athletes giving us significant reasons to proudly wear red, white, and blue, too! Not only do they all possess undeniable #BlackGirlMagic, but they each have one other commonality between them: TEXAS.
The 2021 Tokyo Summer Olympics is around the corner, and Black women are representing the U.S.A. in a major way! From July 23, 2021 to August 8, 2021, the Olympic Games will be held in Tokyo, Japan. While the list of all Black women qualifying for the 2021 Olympics and Paralympics is quite long, this list features some of our favorites—a few of whom are not only representing for the U.S.A. but are on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum also, giving us all an extra special reason to be especially proud this June!
Simone Biles (Hometown: Spring, TX) will be representing the U.S.A. in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics in Gymnastics.
Sha’Carri Richardson (Hometown: Dallas, TX) will be representing the U.S.A. in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics in Track & Field.
Simone Manuel (Hometown: Sugarland, TX) will be representing the U.S.A. in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics in Swimming.
Inika McPherson (Hometown: Port Arthur, TX) will be representing the U.S.A. in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics in Track & Field.
Jasmine Moore (Hometown: Grand Prairie, TX) will be representing the U.S.A. in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics in Track & Field.
Natalie Hinds (Midland, TX) will be representing the U.S.A. in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics in Swimming.
Tamyra Mensah Stock (Katy, TX) will be representing the U.S.A. in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics in Wrestling.
Ariel Atkins (Duncanville, TX) will be representing the U.S.A. in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics in Basketball.
Chiaka Ogbogu (Coppell, TX) will be representing the U.S.A. in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics in Volleyball.
Brittney Griner (Houston, TX) will be representing the U.S.A. in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics in Basketball.
While PRIDE Month is coming to an end and the 2021 Olympics are fast approaching, remember to celebrate LGBTQIA+ diversity beyond the month of June, and know that individuals on the spectrum are so much more than their skin color, their athleticism, or the way they identify.
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Meloni Capria is a Wisconsin native who currently resides in Texas with her wife, 10-year-old son, and their three pet Yorkies. Her professional background is in Secondary Education and English Language Arts and Reading. She currently serves in the role of Editorial Assistant at Mango Publishing Group and is a collaborative partner at DOPE Publishing. She enjoys writing, watching movies, and all things related to marriage, parenting, and family.