Courtesy of Nadeige Bailey

In 2020, after the death of George Floyd, Yale Bulldogs for Change was formed to address racial inequities and give student-athletes the tools to combat racism on and off the field.

Originally, the group was solely an affinity space for student-athletes of color, providing the support necessary to navigate life at a predominantly white institution. During the 2023-24 academic year, the program was restructured to include six different affinity spaces. The Yale Bulldogs for Change — YCB — became an umbrella organization for all diversity, equity and inclusion operations within Yale Athletics. 

“Our student-athletes are starting to feel like they’re seen, heard and celebrated for their differences,” said Director of DEIB for student-athletes Nadeige Bailey.

The six groups include Athletes in Action for Christian athletes,  Athlete Ally for LGBTQ+ athletes, Black Student Athletes Coalition, Yale Asian Student Athletes, Jewish Student Athletes Coalition and Yale Women’s Athletic Council.

In addition to the six affinity groups, YBC hosts a council that meets monthly to let the affinity groups collaborate. 

“There isn’t a better word that encapsulates YBC than inclusion,” said YBC Chair Mason Shipp ’25, a wide receiver on the football team. “The sole purpose of the group is to connect and share ideas across the six affinity groups available for student-athletes. ”

Shipp said that YCB spends time building relationships within the organization, improving individual affinity groups and connecting with other groups for bigger events.

Each affinity group is sponsored by the athletic department and organizes one big event each semester. A biannual ‘For Change’ event allows all student-athletes from various backgrounds to come together and celebrate each other. Additionally, the groups run various social media campaigns throughout the school year.

“I’m so glad YBC exists because it always reminds me of the importance of intersectionality,” said women’s crew and Athlete Ally member Mia Levy ’25. “Coming together and collaborating allows each of our groups to discuss how to better support intersectional identity in our spaces.”

Athlete Ally is partnering with the Yale women’s soccer team to host their annual Pride Night in celebration of queer soccer players.

Yale Athletics and YBC have also emphasized supporting the local New Haven community, through initiatives such as sourcing food from New Haven restaurants and “Yale Day” when different businesses can table and share more about themselves at the Yale Bowl.

Specific affinity groups have run local community service projects as well. Black Student Athletes Coalition currently partners with the Boys and Girls Club of New Haven. Athletes visit the center and run activities, such as homework help and arts and crafts,  for the children.

The athletic department has also been working with an organization called LongTalk which fosters uncomfortable, inclusive and respectful conversation between the department and student-athletes about anti-racism.

“As you look along the landscape for our country, we’re starting to see DEI programs, initiatives begin to go away,” Bailey said. “[YBC is] a great opportunity for us to double down and show we’re committed to this work and committed to making sure our student-athletes feel safe, seen and celebrated. I think the impact it will leave on a student-athlete is critical.”

“Yale Day” will take place this Saturday, Oct. 5 at the football home opener versus Central Connecticut State University.