Imani Dorsey’s Advocacy and the Black Women’s Player Collective
Imani Dorsey, the 26-year-old Gotham FC defender, is no stranger to the spotlight. She was the fifth overall pick in the 2018 NWSL Draft and received her USWNT call-up in October 2019.
While she’s made great strides on the field, Dorsey also has been a vital part of the racial justice movement in the NWSL. She is an activist and an advocate for pushing back against systemic racism and police brutality and a model for young girls everywhere.
We’ll highlight Imani Dorsey’s racial justice platform, the Black Women’s Players Collective, and the impact she has on the NWSL and the sport of soccer.
Black Women’s Player Collective
Dorsey is a founding member of the Black Women’s Player Collective, an organization founded in 2020 and comprised of current NWSL players. They are dedicated to advancing what soccer can show and do for Black women and girls and championing what Black women and girls can do for the sport.
Dorsey is one of the strong voices behind the BWPC, wIth fellow board members Jasmyne Spencer, Ifeoma Onumonu, Crystal Dunn, Midge Purce, Lynn Williams, and Jamia Fields.
According to Dorsey, the main goal of the BWPC is “to amplify and elevate the image of Black professional women, especially in soccer, but ideally across platforms.”
Opening Doors Through Education and Exposure
The BWPC works with the U.S. Soccer Foundation and Black Players for Change to focus on opening doors for young girls, specifically young Black girls, in communities across the country.
According to the website: “We aim to elevate the image, value, and representation of Black women as athletes and leaders across industries. Ultimately, establishing a network of support that expands access to diverse career paths before and after playing. Through education, mentorship, and community development, we aim to provide Black girls with direct access to soccer at every level.”
The organization creates access to soccer through mini-pitches constructed in under-served areas and engages a mentorship funnel to advocate for and educate young Black girls through Voice in Sport.
Juneteenth
On Juneteenth, 2021, Dorsey and the BWPC received special recognition regarding a mini-soccer pitch at Colonel Charles Young Playground in Harlem.
“This pitch, its location, and it’s coming together in time for Juneteenth marks an unprecedented celebration of blackness in the soccer community we are proud to be a part of,” Dorsey said.
Imani Dorsey’s Story
Dorsey received a scholarship to Duke University in 2014. She was one of the top scorers in school history by the end of her career. She was also ACC Offensive Player of the Year in 2017 and a semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy.
Through this experience, Dorsey saw just how powerful a tool soccer could be for shaping a young girl’s future. She is still early in her career but has greatly impacted the future of soccer for all people.
One Nation. Social Impact Award
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Dorsey received the first U.S. Soccer One Nation. Social Impact Award in 2021. This award honors an individual who made a major off-field impact, specifically in diversity, equity and inclusivity.
What’s Next For Imani Dorsey?
Imani Dorsey is one of the prime examples of those in the NWSL working hard to use their platforms to advance opportunities for Black girls in sport. We are excited to follow Imani Dorsey’s on and off-field accomplishments in the future, as she has already done so much to advocate for herself and other young Black girls through her talents and dedication to racial justice.
Featured image via @blackwplayercollective
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