The Nashville Soccer Club is joining the community in observing and celebrating Black History Month, the annual observance originating in the United States that began as a way of remembering important people and events in the history of the African Diaspora.

“We are honored to celebrate Black History Month and the significant voices, experiences, and contributions of Black Americans in Nashville and across the world,” said Brandon Hill, Nashville SC Head of Community Engagement. “This month provides a unifying moment to bring our fans, players, and supporters together to celebrate how far we have come and to raise awareness of the important work still required to move towards a more just, equitable, and peaceful world.”

Throughout Black History Month, Nashville SC will participate in the following activations:

Black History Month Commemorative Patch 2023: Nashville SC and the Nashville Black Chamber of Commerce have launched a special edition Black History Month commemorative patch that fans and supporters may purchase at the official NSC Team Store or online at <www.nashvillescmobileshop.com> through Feb. 28. All proceeds from the patch sales will benefit My Brother’s Keeper Nashville. In addition, those who purchase a commemorative patch will have access to discount offers at local Black-owned businesses. Visit <www.nashblackchamber.com/Nashville-soccer-club> to learn more.

The Book Brothers 2.0 Campaign is being launched to address early childhood literacy by the following organizations: the Nashville SC; United Way of Greater Nashville; and My Brother’s Keeper, a local organization that seeks to improve social outcomes by organizing cross-sector groups of partners to transform inefficient, fragmented systems. First launched in 2021, the initiative of United Way’s Blueprint for Early Childhood Success and My Brother’s Keeper’s ‘I Read, I Lead’ literacy campaign, allows volunteer readers to share quality children’s books for students in kindergarten through third grade, with a focus on books that allow students of color to see themselves in the pages.

The Nashville SC and My Brother’s Keeper is hosting a series of in-person reading events at MNPS elementary schools and community organizations, that started with a kickoff event at Napier Elementary School on Friday, Feb. 10. Nashville SC players, staff, and members from The Mixtape, the club’s Black-led supporter group, assisted as volunteer readers within the program.

The ‘Black History Month Panel Discussion: Nashville SC’ will host a special panel discussion about issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion as it relates to the Black community on Tuesday, Feb. 21, at the Main Nashville Public Library. Panelists include:

• CJ Sapong, Nashville SC forward and representative, Black Players for Change
• David Ewing, Nashville historian, tour guide and history consultant
• Ashford Hughes, MNPS Executive Officer for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
• Zulfat Suara, Metro Council member-at-Large
• Desmond Armstrong, former U.S. Men’s National Team player and 2012 National Soccer Hall of Fame Inductee