How a Black female NCAA champion became even more marketable

Dr. Ketra Armstrong spoke with Forbes about how Black female athletes are presenting themselves authentically — and benefiting financially from it.

Dr. Ketra Armstrong, a Black woman with grey hair in a plaid jacket, stands at the front of a room holding a microphone. Next to her is a table with four people who are turned toward her. Behind them is a projection screen with the phrases, "Diversity, Equity & Inclusion," "MLK Day 2018 Symposium," and "School of Kinesiology."

April 4, 2023

The internet was atwitter after the NCAA women's basketball championship, during which LSU star Angel Reese made a gesture toward Iowa guard Caitlin Clark that some critics derided as taking trash talking too far. But others have said the criticism is rooted in sexism and racism, especially since Clark, who is white, had made a similar gesture in the past — without any of the hate.

Reese, who is Black, has since commented that her insistence on being herself is actually paying dividends. Dr. Ketra Armstrong, the director of the Center for Race & Ethnicity in Sport at Michigan Kinesiology, agrees.

Dr. Armstrong spoke with Forbes about the racism that continues to permeate discussions of women's collegiate sports and how Black female athletes are picking up endorsements despite adversity. For more, read the Forbes story at myumi.ch/Nk5nj.