Tiffany Lomax had a growing concern. When it came to fitness equipment and budgets at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), the available resources often were far lower than what was needed.
Lomax was the director of Campus Recreation at North Carolina Central University at the time. Most of their 45-plus pieces of cardio equipment needed to be replaced, and neither her current budget nor any in the foreseeable future would support that need. She brought up this challenge in a conversation with Rebecca Peoples, the collegiate recreation director – east region of Matrix Fitness.
“This conversation began to develop and expanded months later in a conversation with Rebecca Peoples at the Region II NIRSA Conference,” said Lomax. “As we discussed the needs of HBCUs across the country and the lack of diversity in the health and fitness field, we talked about ways in which Matrix could not only support our facility needs but the needs of students and professionals in the field.”
EXTRA CREDIT: Matrix Fitness provides equipment upgrade for Drexel UREC.
So, what began as a quest for creative ways to support the necessity for better equipment soon formed the Matrix initiative known as Project COURAGE.
“Project COURAGE, which stands for Creating Opportunities for the Under Represented through Authenticity, Generosity and Engagement, is an initiative that aims to support the 107 HBCUs in the U.S.,” said Iisha Voltz, the director of Campus Recreation and Wellness at Texas Southern University, and a member of the Project COURAGE panel. “The project specifically focuses on creating opportunities for professionals and students interested in fitness-related fields.”
Matrix recognized the disproportionate representation of minorities in the health and wellness industry. As such, it’s their hope this initiative makes a true difference. “At Matrix, we believe Project COURAGE can serve as a vehicle for change,” said Peoples. “Representation matters. I’m so proud Matrix understands the power in leading this initiative. It’s special knowing a vision of this magnitude has been put in motion, which all started simply by a conversation with Tiffany Lomax. We’re only just beginning.”
Meet the Panel
In August 2023, six health and well-being professionals from HBCUs were selected to make up the Project COURAGE panel:
- Tiffany Lomax, the former director of Recreation and Wellness at North Carolina Central University. She was recently hired at the University of Wisconsin–Madison as the director of Wellbeing and Programs.
- Anthony Daniels, the former director of Recreational Sports at Prairie View A&M University.
- Serita Porter, the assistant professor and internship coordinator for the department of Health Science at Lincoln University.
- Iisha Voltz, the director of Campus Recreation at Texas Southern University.
- Jordin Williams, the executive director for Wellness and Co-curricular Programs at Delaware State University.
- Earnest Washington, the assistant professor of Exercise Science at Central State University.
As a panel, they will offer ongoing guidance to and collaborate with Matrix and Peoples on an annual basis. The initial term is two years with the option to renew.
Plus, all of the panelists agreed being part of the project supports their personal and professional missions. “Being on the panel is an honor, as I get to support the mission of Project COURAGE which aligns with my aim of creating professional pathways for young adults that look like me,” said Porter. “Through Project COURAGE, we have an opportunity to create a new narrative and to quantify it. As this effort grows, I hope to help tell that story through research, capturing the Project COURAGE experience and measuring its impact. Matrix is the small axe ready to cut down big trees that impede HBCUs’ shine and history in the campus recreation profession.”
Influencing the Future of Campus Recreation
Already, Project COURAGE is making a real impact in a variety of ways:
- Launching a scholarship to cover tuition, books or any education-related expenses, or to attend conferences. The first-year recipients — one student and one professional — attended the NIRSA 2024 Annual Conference.
- Hosting post-application interviews for applicant feedback and networking.
- Sponsoring the Emerging Recreational Sports Leaders Conference 2024 (ERSL).
- Hosting the HBCU Summit 2024.
- Supporting five of six Project COURAGE panelists to attend the HBCU Summit and ERSL Conference along with four students.
- Sponsoring the first annual HBCU Unity Bowl Flag Football Tournament.
- Supporting 15 students and five professionals to attend the Southeast and Midwest Fit Expos.
- Providing one professional’s travel and lodging to Campus Rec Base Camp, an event for aspiring directors.
One of the largest achievements in Project COURAGE’s inaugural year was awarding two scholarships to a student and professional. This initiative supported their attendance to NIRSA in 2024. “The impact so far has been mind-blowing for recipients of scholarship opportunities,” said Washington. “Providing scholarships has given recipients opportunities to experience events most could only dream of. Listening to one of the recipients speak to her classmates concerning the exposure she received, all because of Project COURAGE, has permanently and positively impacted her life.”
EXTRA CREDIT: Editor recap — NIRSA 2024.
Washington spoke of Abbigail Peterson, the 2024 student scholarship winner from Central State University. Peterson shared she originally applied to hopefully gain knowledge and a network at the NIRSA annual conference in Phoenix. “I learned what it looks like to develop personally and help those develop around me when sitting in a talk with Jarrell Garcia,” said Peterson. “I also got to sit in and listen to some powerful black women directors. Felicia Tittle, Jocelyn Hill and Tiffany Lomax all taught me the characteristics of a successful director.”
After hearing them speak, Peterson shared it impacted her to desire possibly being in their shoes one day. She left feeling confident in her capability to lead, and with job offers or business cards so she could stay in touch.
But, that impact went beyond the career side of things. “NIRSA has impacted my life greatly,” said Peterson. “The first positive impact was it got me out of my comfort zone. All I’ve ever known is playing women’s basketball. NIRSA showed me I could be more than just an athlete and make an impact on the world. Its also impacted me in the way of wanting to help people in the same way this conference has helped me. NIRSA has imparted in me a strong desire to help other students, athletes, etc. at HBCUs or who look like me to have the opportunity to come to this conference.”
Jeremy Lewis was the professional scholarship winner for 2024. He shared he applied for the scholarship because of what it signified and how he felt a responsibility to represent the history of NIRSA as a campus rec professional at Texas Southern University. “My goal was to be the first to win this award and be a torch bearer/mentor for future recipients down the line,” he said. “Texas Southern is a founding member [of NIRSA] so it only made sense to apply and attempt to become the inaugural recipient.”
EXTRA CREDIT: A home away from home at TSU.
Lewis said every year he’s attended NIRSA he’s walked away with valuable knowledge to help him on his career journey. It’s an opportunity to learn and rub elbows with other professionals that he would encourage others to take part in. And Project COURAGE is opening that door for many. “For various reasons, a vast majority of our HBCU campus recreation professionals miss out on the opportunity to attend regional and national conventions,” said Lewis. “The chance to apply for and win a scholarship would allow for the opportunity to see the campus rec profession on its biggest stage and gain a better understanding of how important it is to the overall college experience.”
Providing Opportunity and Breaking Down Barriers
Project COURAGE offers an annual opportunity for students and professional staff to apply for the scholarship. The application can either be written or submitted in video form. For the 2025 scholarships process, four scholarship opportunities will be offered. The amount is double what it was from the previous year. The application will open October 1 and will remain open for the entire month. Then the scholarship committee will review all applications and notify awardees in the second week of December. “I hope more members of the HBCU collegiate recreation community are supported in their efforts to gain additional knowledge and experiences as a result of this initiative,” said Daniels. “This initiative helps to minimize financial hurdles in many instances.”
Ultimately, as Williams noted, the goal is to remove the stereotypes and barriers that often surround HBCU campus recreation programs. “Whether it’s funding for professional development or facility improvements, Project COURAGE is dedicated to supporting equity for HBCU schools, students and professionals of color within the campus recreation space,” she said.
And in its first official year, Project COURAGE is doing just that. It’s already moving the needle within the industry with no plans of slowing down. “Everyone should know Project COURAGE looks to positively impact our HBCU campuses, communities and world,” said Washington. “Project COURAGE is a selfless operation with you in mind.”
