Black Players for Change name Allen Hopkins Jr. as its new Executive Director
Columbus, Ohio (July 13, 2023) – Black Players for Change (BPC), a collective of Black professional soccer players, coaches and staff announce Allen Hopkins Jr. as its new Executive Director.
As the Executive Director, Mr. Hopkins will be responsible for creating, strengthening, and executing the overall organizational strategy of BPC, overseeing its day-to-day operations, and advancing the group’s mission of creating tangible and meaningful change within both the Black and soccer communities by addressing systemic injustices through sports.
Allen Hopkins Jr. Bio
“I am excited and honored to join Black Players for Change as its new Executive Director. I am standing on the shoulders of giants as my admiration and respect for the founders, Board of Directors and membership is immense,” said Allen who brings 25+ years of success and experience in the soccer and sports industry to the role.
“Under Allen Hopkins’ visionary leadership, we are poised to embrace exciting opportunities and navigate the evolving sports activism landscape. His collaborative leadership style and ability to inspire people will empower our organization to achieve greatness and exceed expectations,” said Earl Edwards Jr, BPC Co-Founder and President.
“It is an honor to welcome a person of Allen’s pedigree to the BPC team. His commitment to solidifying our foundation and expanding our impact places BPC in the perfect position to leverage the growth trajectory of soccer in this country. This is another milestone in our organization and we are excited by the work that is to come,” said Jeremy Ebobisse, BPC Co-Founder and Vice President
“I want the work I lead to be both an amazing legacy for the soccer community and also a reflection of the greatness of our game. This is about an incredible organization poised to make transformative change and I am blessed to lead it,” added Allen.
What BPC Partners Are Saying:
Players Coalition is looking forward to the next phase in leadership as our work continues to grow with the ongoing commitment Black Players for Change has in the fight for social justice and racial equality.
– Angela LaChica, Managing Director, Players Coalition
Black Players For Change has been instrumental in working with Major League Soccer to imagine a reality where equity for all is the norm and not the exception. A League where racism and discrimination are not only not tolerated but eradicated from our game. A League that is not only a League of choice for the best talent on and off the pitch but a beacon of what’s possible when innovation, impact and inclusivity align. I wish Allen an abundance of energy, wisdom and optimism as he assumes his new role as leader and champion of BPC.
– Sola Winley, Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer
ABOUT BLACK PLAYERS FOR CHANGE:
Black Players for Change (BPC) is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization consisting of over 170+ Black players, coaches and staff from MLS, working to bridge the racial equality gap that exists in society. BPC is committed to tackling the racial injustices that have limited Black people from having an equitable stake in the game of soccer and society. Among the many goals, the organization strives to advance the attention on human rights inequalities from protests to programs, partnerships, and policies that address systemic discrimination.
For more information visit www.BlackPlayersForChange.org.
