Black women playing USports basketball will take centre stage at York University Oct. 20-22.

Created by Athlete Tech Group, a Black-owned digital hub that supports athletes through branding, learning and networking, the Athlete Women Empowered Classic will showcase four women’s U Sports basketball teams currently led by Black women head coaches: York University, Concordia University, Trinity Western University and the University of Toronto.

“The goal of the tournament is to uplift and empower women through an immersive weekend of basketball that provides a unique blend of athletic competition, professional development, networking, and community engagement,” Christa Eniojukan, York University head women’s basketball coach, said in a statement. “We hope that the AWE Classic serves as a beacon for women and the BIPOC community aspiring to pursue careers in athletics and the broader sports industry.”

Tamara Tatham, the University of Toronto’s head women’s basketball coach; Tenicha Gittens, Concordia University’s head women’s basketball coach; and Cheryl Jean-Paul, Trinity Western University’s head women’s basketball coach, round out the leaders of the squads.

The tournament will feature five preseason games and a dinner and awards celebration. Attendees will be able to participate in a series of workshops, panel discussions, and networking sessions with coaches, athletes, and industry leaders.

Athletes will also receive personal and brand-building workshops via Athlete Tech Group’s Training Ground program, focusing on leveraging their NIL rights to partner with local brands and businesses to provide influencer marketing.

Training Ground is an app and digital hub that gives athletes the tools and skills to maximize their opportunities at every step of their journey, preparing them for future success in a tech-enabled world.

Athlete Women Empowered was founded in 2021 as a mentorship program to address barriers faced by Black and racialized women athletes and prepare them for life after sports. In its inaugural year, the Classic was designed to further that initiative and create visibility for diverse athletes.

Also announced was next year’s event, which will be held in B.C. in 2024 at Trinity Western University. For more information, visit the website.