An EPIC Discussion: Championing Equity and Elevating Women in Sports presented by Valmont

EPIC for Girls will host a power-packed panel featuring Dr. Tragil Wade, Markesha Grant, and Raven Johnson. Panelists will provide multiple perspectives on building positive team culture, supporting all girls (especially girls of color), and how sports blazes a path for girls to succeed.

Event Details:
September 20, 2024
12:00-1:30PM
Venue at the Highlander

Meet our Panelists

Dr. Tragil Wade – CEO and Founder of America’s Big Sisters. The organization was launched in 2017, designed to provide support for youth across the country to live above difficult circumstances. In 2006, she became the Executive Director of Wade’s World Foundation, under her leadership the organization raised over $3.4 million and received numerous awards.

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Reshanda Gray, a Los Angeles native, is a professional basketball player currently in her eighth season in the WNBA. A standout at Washington Preparatory High School, she earned a full scholarship to the University of California, Berkeley, where she had a stellar career, including a Final Four appearance and being named Conference Player of the Year in 2015. After graduating with a bachelor’s in Social Welfare, she was drafted 16th overall by the Minnesota Lynx. Gray has played for several WNBA teams, including the LA Sparks, New York Liberty, and Phoenix Mercury, and has extended her talents overseas to countries such as Italy, South Korea, and Turkey.

Off the court, Gray is dedicated to social welfare, drawing from her experiences growing up in poverty and encountering social workers. Inspired by a youth program that changed her outlook, she founded the No Gray Areas Foundation in 2017. The foundation supports young women and girls by providing academic, social, and athletic opportunities to empower them at crucial decision-making stages in life.

Markeshia Grant – Founder and CEO of Savvy Skills, LLC, she is dedicated to helping athletes transform the way that they think about life and sports through progressive forward-thinking and transformative action. She is a Creative Development Coach, Motivational Speaker, consultant for nonprofit programs, a National Girl’s Basketball Evaluator, and a pioneering force in women’s basketball.

Last Minute Update: Raven Johnson is no longer able to make the event, due to a scheduling conflict outside her control.

Raven Johnson – Member of the undefeated University of South Carolina Gamecocks Women’s Basketball Team and 2024 NCAA Champions. Johnson is most recently known for her defense of Caitlin Clark, during the 2024 NCAA Finals, where Clark went 1-5 when guarded by Johnson. She has accumulated many awards and procured a groundbreaking NIL partnership with Black-owned beauty brand Parfait.