As one of the most diverse sports leagues in the UK, the British Basketball League are proud to support Black History Month (BHM).
During the month of October, we will be sharing stories from members of the Black community across our Leagues in celebration and recognition of Black history.
In the next line of our series of interviews surrounding Black History Month, we were able to sit down with Paige Robinson, current Marketing Assistant for the British Basketball League, and former Women’s player, to talk about the importance of Black History Month.
Inspiration
Paige Robinson is a name well-known throughout the Women’s British Basketball League. Representing Great Britain, a successful player for the London Lions, and a graduate of the famous University of Florida in the United States, Robinson has spent many of her years in front of the eyes of many.
Robinson was inspired by her old school a few years ago to do more for the Black community after being chosen to be a role model for the school for Black History Month a few years ago.
“In my first professional year at the London Lions, my old school in South London they put me as a top role model for Black History Month.
“I wasn’t aware of this. It was interesting to see the impact and it made me start thinking of more ideas to give back.”
The former London Lion would then go on to do many things for her community over the next few years, including the likes promoting Black-owned businesses, and giving back to the community as a whole.
“It was a humbling moment. I wanted to do so much more and since then I’ve pushed a lot of things. In 2022, I got players from the League and Models to promote and model clothes, accessories, and skincare from black-owned businesses.
“I’m just trying to give back. I’m giving money to Soup Kitchens to buy groceries to feed people, and just trying to help where I can.”
Influence
Paige Robinson, over the summer of 2023, transitioned into the role of Marketing Assistant for the British Basketball League. Now part of the League, Robinson has been able to see the changes the League has tried to make to help members of the Black community, as well as be a vocal member in implementing the changes.
“The League knows how embedded Black people are in UK basketball, and they will always support Black History. We should just keep moving the way we are.
“I think this year will show a lot of change. There are not many people of colour in the office, but there’s a lot more than you think, and we are treated equally, and our voices are very much heard.
“The League doesn’t shy away from it. They promote us, and put us on billboards and in magazines, while there are other sports that wouldn’t.”
Robinson has also used her impressive social media following to try and give back as much as she can to members of the Black community, especially around the London area.
“Being connected to the Air Jordan brand, I asked if they would help me give back to the basketball cages in South London. They sent me 300 pairs of shoes to go around the cages and give out to the community.
“The one thing I’ve learned is just to use my voice. The worst thing they can say is no. But people and brands have supported me and my ideas. The response on the kid’s faces makes it worth it.”
Saluting our Sisters
This year’s Black History Month centres around “saluting our sisters”. The idea is to empower and spread awareness and acknowledge the women in the black community and what they have done to progress over the decades.
Robinson told us about the biggest Black role model throughout her life, Andrea Boreland, a former coach of the London Lions.
“She was the only female coach, and coming to the London Lions, she was very welcoming to me. I knew of her, but she was very welcoming to me.
“One thing she taught me was to just be selfless. When I was helping with the schools and going through tough times in my life off the court, she was always there for me. I was close to quitting basketball, and she would remind me of everything I’ve achieved.
“Now I’m at that time where I need to give back, and I thought I felt like it was an honour and a duty to her to make sure I do all that.
“For her pouring into me every single day to make sure I was okay and keeping me on my feet. That’s different. To me, she was a coach, a sister, a mother, that’s someone who was just all-rounded to me.”
The League and BHM
The British Basketball League is going all out this October. As a result, we’re putting the spotlight on our players, coaches, and members of our own League back-office team. We will share their stories, find out who inspired them, and dig into their celebrations for Black History Month.
In celebration of Black History Month 2023, the British Basketball League is also offering small black-owned businesses located within 25 miles of League clubs the chance to receive free advertising on the LED boards during Thursday and Friday games throughout October 2023.
To go along with this, as part of our commitment to celebrating Black History Month, we are asking our clubs’ players to visit schools and speak about its significance.
Keep updated with the British Basketball League as we share these important stories during the month of October. To find more resources and to learn more about Black History Month and the Saluting Our Sisters theme, please follow this link.