Building Legacy, Fueling Transformation: Princeton at the 10th Annual Black Student-Athlete Summit
June 05, 2025 | Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
By Miles Smith, Associate Athletic Director, Princeton University
For the third consecutive year, Princeton Athletics proudly participated in the Black Student-Athlete Summit (BSAS), held from May 21–24 at the Hyatt Regency McCormick in downtown Chicago. This landmark 10th anniversary gathering brought together Black student-athletes, administrators, coaches, and thought leaders from across the nation. It was more than a conference, it was a space of affirmation, transformation, and collective vision.
This year’s Summit held special significance for our Princeton delegation. Aaron Richard ’26, a football student-athlete and President of Princeton’s Black Student-Athlete Collective (BSAC), was honored with the Impact Student-Athlete of the Year Award.
“Attending the Black Student-Athlete Summit has been an incredible experience, one that I will never take for granted,” Richard shared. “It offers a unique opportunity to connect with Black student-athletes from across the country while building a powerful community that helps us navigate the professional world together.”
Aaron, along with AJ Pickford ’28 (football), Jackie Onyechi ’28 (women’s volleyball), Assistant Coach for Player Development Don Stewart (football), and I, represented Princeton at this year’s summit. We witnessed firsthand the immense value of community, intentional programming, and authentic connection.
As Coach Stewart reflected on his first time attending the Summit, his sentiments echoed the core of what this gathering represents:
“Attending the 10th anniversary of the Black Student-Athlete Summit in Chicago was an unforgettable experience. The energy, insight, and excellence of the panelists, workshops, and community were truly world-class,” said Stewart.
“Each day offered new perspectives and practical takeaways that I can apply both personally and professionally. I highly encourage all student-athletes and administrators to attend next year’s summit, it’s an experience that inspires, empowers, and connects.”
Coach Stewart also served as a featured speaker at the Summit, offering reflections grounded in his own experiences as a former wide receiver and graduate of Stanford and Wake Forest. His voice resonated deeply with the audience:
“I shared reflections on faith, life beyond sport, and how to balance the demands of athletics, academics, and relationships,” he noted. “My goal was to offer encouragement, perspective, and practical tools to help them not just succeed, but fully thrive during their college experience.”
Beyond the panels and workshops, the Summit created moments of joy, celebration, and deep connection. For Aaron Richard, some of the most powerful memories were about shared experience and recognition:
“Some of my favorite memories include line dancing at the reception and the breakout sessions, where we engaged in impactful conversations,” he said. “It was truly an honor to see the work we’ve done at Princeton through the Black Student-Athlete Collective recognized on a national stage.”
A standout moment for Richard was his conversation with Jeremy Hills, former University of Texas running back and founder of The Kollective:
“We discussed both my senior thesis research and received valuable professional advice. Through this summit, I’ve formed lifelong friendships and meaningful connections, and I’ve also grown personally and professionally.”
For Coach Stewart, watching the student-athletes embrace the full experience of the Summit was a powerful reminder of the importance of these spaces:
“Watching our student-athletes take in the knowledge, connect with peers, and grow in confidence was one of the most rewarding parts of the trip. You could see the light bulbs going off, they were stepping into their leadership, asking new questions, and thinking about the kind of impact they could have.”
What happens after the Summit is just as important as what happens during it. We will all work together this summer to reflect on and explore how we can incorporate the wisdom, insights, and knowledge gained at the summit into the work of the Black Student-Athlete Collective at Princeton. Through ongoing conversations and collaboration, we’ll identify tangible ways to bring this experience back to campus, empowering all, strengthening our community, and building on the momentum of the summit to effect transformation within our athletic and academic environments.
