CHARLOTTE, NC – The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association's (CIAA) 's Ja’Oshua Bryant is one of 40 future leaders that are in Kansas City, MO for the 2022 McLendon Foundation Leadership Weekend.
Bryant, the CIAA’s Coordinator of Championships & Events, is a McLendon Leadership Institute grant recipient and he will be attending the leadership weekend, which purpose is to provide scholars and future leaders an exclusive setting to engage in pertinent educational sessions, build a community of principled leaders, and create synergy to develop relationship capital among participants as they begin graduate school or position at their respective institutions/organizations.
The McLendon Foundation Leadership Weekend is sponsored by Adidas, the NCAA, and the University of Kansas and will feature prominent figures such as Eric Wise, the global general manager of Adidas Basketball and David Cummings, the Senior Director of Race & Culture at CBS Sports as speakers. The keynote speaker is Maria Taylor, a sportscaster for NBC Sports.
Most of Thursday’s agenda and all of Friday’s agenda are devoted to a Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) case study scenario that will include breakout rooms, presentations, and discussions.
The leadership weekend will also include a tour of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, a Race in Culture Discussion, an Adidas Recruitment Session, led by two Adidas talent acquisition managers, and a panel discussion.
Bryant is currently pursuing a Master’s in Adult Education from North Carolina A&T. In his position with the conference, Bryant oversees the logistics and production of conference championships and works directly with athletic directors to ensure student-athlete success. Bryant earned his Bachelor’s in Sports Science and Fitness Management in 2021 from North Carolina A&T and he spent the 2021-22 season as the Assistant Director of Basketball Operations for the Aggies.
About the CIAA
Founded in 1912, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is the first, and longest-running, African American athletic conference in the U.S. and one of the most recognized conferences in Division II. The CIAA conducts 14 championships attended by more than 150,000 fans from around the country. In 2020, the conference celebrates the special 75th anniversary of its Championship Basketball Tournament - an event that has become a must-see in the African American community. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the CIAA is governed by the Presidents and Chancellors of its 12 member-institutions: Bowie State University, Claflin University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, Johnson C. Smith University, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Livingstone College, Saint Augustine's University, Shaw University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University, and Winston-Salem State University. Chowan University is an associate member in football. For more information on the CIAA, visit theciaa.com, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
About the McLendon Foundation
Recognizing the many accomplishments of John McLendon, the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) created a postgraduate scholarship program in 1999—the John McLendon Minority Scholarship Foundation. The postgraduate scholarships are presented to minority students who intend on pursuing an advanced degree in the field of athletics administration. The Foundation annually offers eight (8) postgraduate scholarships in the amount of $10,000. The awards are in addition to any other awards or scholarships the student might have already received.
About the McLendon Minority Leadership Initiative
The purpose of the McLendon Minority Leadership Initiative (MLI) is to provide minorities a jump-start to their careers through practical experiences, opportunities to build their network, and instilling the values of John McLendon: Integrity, Education, Leadership, and Mentorship.
About the John McLendon
John McLendon was a true pioneer who actively used basketball to advance the Civil Rights cause throughout his lifetime. McLendon changed how the game of basketball is played, revolutionizing the game into the fast-paced game that we see today. His dedication to the sport garnered many well-earned honors, awards, and inductions into several Halls of Fame including the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as both contributor and coach, the CIAA, and North Carolina Central.