THE CONVERSATION THE INDUSTRY CAN’T IGNORE—AND A ROOM YOU CAN’T AFFORD TO MISS.
The sports industry is shifting—who’s actually investing in Black women? Who’s leading the way, and who’s just talking about it? WISE LA's DEI series is bringing together the decision-makers, athletes, media power players, and brand executives who are shaping the future of investment in Black women in sports.
This event isn’t just a conversation—it’s a game-changing moment for visibility, investment, and action. If you care about where the industry is going, this is the room you need to be in.
WHAT TO EXPECT
- Game Play & Community – Enjoy Topgolf’s VIP Bays and Chairman's Suite for an interactive experience while making real industry connections
- Exclusive Networking – Connect with executives, athletes, and rising stars in sports business
- Fireside Chat & Power Panel – Thought-provoking discussions with trailblazers in sports & entertainment
THE DISCUSSION: VISIBILITY, INVESTMENT & IMPACT
This powerful room will welcome leaders across the industry—athletes, brand decision-makers, media executives, and philanthropic leaders—for a conversation about the realities of visibility, investment, and impact for Black women in sports. You’ll hear directly from the people shaping what’s next and what that means for business, culture, and the future.
OPENING REMARKS
📣 Black Excellence Rally Cry – The Power of Investment & Visibility
Brianna Appel, WISE LA Board of Directors, DEI Co-Chair
Before we dive into the fireside chat, Brianna sets the tone with a powerful opening message on Black excellence, legacy, and the impact of investing in Black women in sports.
FIRESIDE CHAT
🏅 Athlete Perspective – The Real-Time Experience of Visibility & Investment
Natasha Watley, 2x Olympic Softball Player, MLB Ambassador, AUSL Advisor, and Found of Natasha Watley Foundation
How are Black women athletes experiencing visibility, investment, and opportunity in real time? Natasha shares firsthand insights from competing at the highest levels and shaping the next generation of athletes.
💰 Sponsorship & Brand Perspective – Investing in Black Women as a Business Strategy
Bri Hamilton, Executive, CAA Sports, Brand Consulting
Why investing in Black women in sports is a business decision—not just a DEI checkbox. Bri breaks down how brands, sponsors, and sports organizations can drive real, scalable change through strategic partnerships.
🎙 Moderated by:
Branché Marie Foston, Founder & CEO, The Honey Block
Bringing these conversations together, Branché will guide this dynamic discussion, ensuring a powerful and solution-driven conversation that moves the industry forward.
THIS ROOM WILL CHANGE THE GAME. WILL YOU BE IN IT?
In addition to a thought-provoking conversation, this event offers high-impact networking with some of the most influential figures in LA sports and entertainment.
Since 2022, WISE LA’s Executive Women of Color (WOC) Ambassadors have been leading mentorship, hiring, and executive-level engagement in sports and entertainment. This is your opportunity to connect directly with senior women decision-makers shaping the industry.
Also in attendance will be WISE LA’s Women to Watch (W2W) honorees—a new generation of rising stars in sports and entertainment. These emerging leaders represent the future pipeline of diverse talent, actively shaping their careers while receiving mentorship from industry power players.
As part of this ongoing commitment to career development and equity, we will also highlight WISE LA members who are Black women making career moves, receiving promotions, and stepping into leadership roles. If you or someone you know has recently advanced in their career, email us at la_siteadmin@wiseworks.org to be included in this celebration.
WISE LA DEI is proud to offer the Jerilyn Jones Scholarship, a program dedicated to supporting the next generation of Black women in the sports industry. Named in honor of Jerilyn Jones—a fierce advocate for Black women in sports—the scholarship provides mentorship, networking, and career development opportunities.
Past recipients have gone on to secure leadership roles across the industry, proving that investment in Black women fuels the future of sports.
- Are you or someone you know a rising Black woman professional in sports?
- Want to learn more or apply for the next scholarship cycle?
Email us at la_siteadmin@wiseworks.org to learn more and apply for the Jerilyn Jones Scholarship.
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS & SPONSORS
This event is made possible by the generous support of our sponsors and partners who are dedicated to advancing equity, visibility, and investment in Black women in sports.
🏆 Official Sponsors
Wave Sports + Entertainment is transforming how sports stories are told. With powerhouse female-led shows like NGL with Kylie Kelce and Straight2Cam with Cam Brink & Sydel Curry-Lee, Wave is investing in both the biggest names and the emerging voices in sports. From creative development to production, distribution, and monetization, Wave provides top-tier resources for partners looking to engage audiences at scale while amplifying female voices in sports media.
Athlete’s Unlimited is redefining professional sports with a player-driven model that elevates athletes and creates new opportunities for women in sports. With leagues in basketball, volleyball, softball, and lacrosse, AU is committed to advancing equity and visibility for women athletes at the highest level. Through its groundbreaking approach to competition, AU is transforming the landscape of women’s sports and ensuring that elite athletes have a platform to shine.
⚡️ Supporting Sponsor
As a brand committed to movement, mindfulness, and community, Lululemon is a dedicated supporter of athletes at every level. Through innovation in sports apparel and wellness initiatives, Lululemon empowers individuals to perform at their best—on and off the field.
🚀 Strategic Partner
Women Raise The Game is the powerhouse driving commercial success in women’s sports and entertainment. Through high-impact brand partnerships, culturally resonant storytelling, and strategic investment, WRTG transforms visibility into tangible business outcomes. As a strategic partner for this event, WRTG is creating pathways for real, sustainable change in the industry.
💧 Hydration Partner
From Michael Jordan to A’ja Wilson, Gatorade has fueled champions for decades. Their commitment to performance, recovery, and athlete empowerment makes them an essential partner in ensuring every competitor, at every level, has what they need to excel.
📲 Social Collaborator
Founded by Branché Marie Foston in South LA, The Honey Block is a holistic wellness brand rooted in movement, mindfulness, and media. Its mission is to create community-driven wellness experiences designed for and by people of color. With partnerships spanning Nike to REI, it’s redefining holistic wellness and amplifying cultural storytelling.
THE LEGACY. THE INVESTMENT. THE FUTURE.
Historically Black communities have produced some of the most dominant and culture-shaping athletes of all time—Serena Williams, Simone Biles, Gabby Douglas, Sha’Carri Richardson. But investment in Black women in sports still lags behind.
As we push for greater visibility and opportunity, we also recognize the importance of reinvesting in the communities that have shaped these athletes. WISE LA acknowledges the collective impact of Los Angeles’ sports organizations—including the Dodgers, Lakers, Rams, Chargers, Galaxy, Kings, ACFC, LAFC, AEG, and Crypto.com Arena—for their contributions to wildfire relief and community rebuilding efforts. This event will recognize the ongoing work of the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, whose commitment to making a difference continues to support those in need.
OFFICIALLY SOLD OUT – WE WILL SEE YOU THERE!
Email us at la_siteadmin@wiseworks.org to join the waitlist.
#WISELosAngeles #In-PersonEvent
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