‘Inequality in America’ Special Tackles The Intersection of Sports and Racism

News4 is working for you to explore the intersection of sports, racism and social justice in a special broadcast of "Inequality in America" which aired Thursday, Dec. 24.

Current and former athletes, coaches, and newsmakers joined the conversation to examine how sports have helped confront the status quo, break down barriers, and uplift and unify.

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The special broadcast included:

University of Maryland Trailblazers

UMD President Darryll Pines, Ph.D
Damon Evans, UMD's Athletic Director
Mike Locksley, UMD's Head Football Coach

News4's Leon Harris spoke with the University of Maryland big three – UMD's school president, athletic director and head football coach – who are all Black. They cover their journey, ‘ally-ship’, reaction to the protests and setting up for the future.

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News4's Leon Harris speaks to UMD President Darryll Pines, Ph.D, UMD's Athletic Director Damon Evans and UMD's Head Football Coach Mike Locksley in a special broadcast of "Inequality in America" on Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020.

Torrey Smith, NFL Player and activist

News4's Jummy Olabanji spoke with Torrey Smith – an NFL player and part of the NFL’s Players Coalition – about why he’s involved and his work in giving back to underserved communities.

Former Terp and Baltimore Raven Torrey Smith is now a task force member of the Players Coalition, working to address iniquities in the NFL. Jummy Olabanji spoke to him about his mission. As seen on a special broadcast of "Inequality in America" on Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020.

National Museum of African American History and Culture

News4's Aaron Gilchrist took a deep dive into the NMHAAC sports exhibit.

News4's Aaron Gilchrist takes a deep dive into the NMHAAC sports exhibit with curator Damion Thomas in a special broadcast of "Inequality in America" on Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020.

The Durant Center

News4's Tracee Wilkins profiled the Durant Center, home of college track in Prince George's County and the headquarters for all Kevin Durant Charity Foundation programs. She also speak with Kevin Durant’s mother, Wanda.

The first coach of many athletes is often their mother, who shows them the path toward their promise and teaches them that their successes are bigger than them. News4's Tracee Wilkins spoke to Wanda Durant, mother of NBA star Kevin Durant in a special broadcast of "Inequality in America" on Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020.

Jesse Washington, Co-Author of Georgetown Basketball Coach John Thompson's Posthumous Autobiography

News4's Tracee Wilkins spoke with the author behind the powerful new book on longtime Georgetown basketball coach John Thompson and what he meant to the game of basketball, sports and Washington, D.C.

Tracee Wilkins spoke to Jesse Washington, co-author of Georgetown basketball coach John Thompson's posthumous autobiography. As seen in a special broadcast of "Inequality in America" on Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020.

Bill Hamid, D.C. United Player

News4's Justin Finch spoke with a group of Black Major League Soccer players, including Bill Hamid, who have formed a coalition to address systemic racism.

Although soccer is referred to as "the beautiful game," in some places, there is an ugly side to the sport that players are now joining forces to address. News4's Justin Finch spoke to DC United goalkeeper Bill Hamid about how he's leading the way for this effort in a special broadcast of "Inequality in America" on Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020.

Previous "Inequality in America" specials have explored voting rights in America, discussions on police brutality sparked by an officer's killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis and more.

News4 anchor Aaron Gilchrist led a discussion on racism, police and how Black Lives Matter became a movement. Watch it here in its entirety.