Samena Club News

Annual Member Meeting

Please join us at the annual membership meeting to connect with other members, meet the 2025-28 member candidate for our Board, and learn more about the Club through the annual report. The Samena Club Annual Membership Meeting will take place:  

Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 7pm 
Samena Club 
15231 Lake Hills Blvd 
Bellevue, WA 98007  

Members should have received links/access codes to vote in the Board election via Election Buddy on April 24, 2025. Please check your emails for details.

Board Candidate Applications Open

Dear Samena Members,

Thank you for your interest in serving on the Samena Club Board of Trustees. This is an exciting time as we shape the future of the Club and the positive experiences our members will continue to have.

The Board of Trustees is a governance board. Day to day operations are handled by our highly qualified management staff. Trustees provide oversight and long-range strategic planning for the Club. Please note that applications are due to Samena no later than close of business on April 15, 2025.

Please contact us at board@samena.com if you have any questions about the process. We will schedule a meeting with each applicant in order to get to know you and to answer your questions about what is involved in being a trustee. Elections of new trustees will be held at the Annual Membership Meeting on May 20, 2025.

The entire Board of Trustees is sincerely grateful for your willingness to explore becoming a trustee!

Best Regards,
Travis Rhodes
President, Samena Board of Trustees

Outdoor Pool Resurfacing April 5 – 27

This spring, as part of our ongoing preventative maintenance, we will be closing and replastering the bottom and walls of the Outdoor Pool and repairing and regrouting the gutter tiles. Our contractor feels that the project will take two to three weeks to complete. Replastering can happen in the rain, as the plaster is water cured so weather should not delay the project.

The replastering is necessary for maintaining the integrity of the pool structure and also for us to be up-to-date with new Department of Health standards regarding the color of the bottom of the pool.

We will begin draining the pool on Saturday, April 5, work will begin on Monday, April 7, and we expect the Outdoor Pool to reopen approximately April 28.

April 5 – 27 Pool Schedule

We’ve arranged for extra Lap Swim access at the Bellevue Club during the closure.

• Available to swimmers 16 yrs & up
• Need to sign in at their Athletic Services Desk each time
• May use their ‘Competition Pool’ during these times:
  • Mon/Weds/Fri Lap Swim: 6-8am, 10am-12pm
  • Tues/Thurs Masters Swimming: 5:45-7am, 12-1pm
  • Sat Masters Swimming: 7-8:30am

Spring/Summer Hours Starting April 7

At the same time, to mitigate impact to our Members, we will be shifting to our spring/summer Club hours starting Monday, April 7.

Monday – Friday: 5am – 10pm
Saturday – Sunday: 7am – 8:30pm

Winter Weather Policy Reminders

•  The Samena Club as a whole generally stays open during winter weather unless the safety of staff or members is compromised. I.E., we will cancel classes before we close the Outdoor Pool or the Club completely.

•  Programs may be cancelled depending on severity of weather
– If the Bellevue school district is cancelled, all aquatics programs before 3pm are cancelled
– At 2pm Samena, management will decide whether or not to cancel evening aquatics programming (swim team, swim lessons, water aerobics, etc)

•  What we consider: current road conditions, forecast through the rest of the day, type of weather (wind vs snow vs ice), type of program
–  For weekend morning swim lessons (group and private) a decision will be made at 9pm the day before to allow time to notify participants by start of program

•  Weather conditions can change quickly, even if programming runs during the day, it may be cancelled in the evening or vice versa

Winter Hours & Outdoor Pool Changes

Dear Samena Members,

As we approach the winter season, we’ve noticed a significant decrease in club usage during late evenings and in the outdoor pool during weekdays. To maintain the quality of programs and services you expect, we’re implementing two important operational changes.

1. Adjusted Club Hours Starting January 6th, 2025
   In response to these usage trends, we’ll be reducing our operating hours. The club will now close at 9:00 PM (previously 10:00 PM) from Monday to Friday but will continue opening at 5:00 AM each weekday. On Saturdays and Sundays, our hours will be 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM. We understand this may impact some members, but fewer than 3% of our weekly check-ins occur after 9:00 PM, so we believe this adjustment will allow us to focus resources during peak hours.
2. Outdoor Pool Hours & Changes Starting December 9th, 2024
   The outdoor pool will shift to unguarded, adults-only (18+) lap swim from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday. Lifeguards will continue to be on duty during all other outdoor pool hours, ensuring safety during peak times. While this change offers more flexibility, the health department requires that only members aged 18 and older use the pool during unguarded hours.

In previous years, the outdoor pool closed for several hours daily, but this adjustment will provide more consistent access. Additionally, our lifeguards will remain on duty in the indoor pool and will be available to assist in the event of an emergency in the outdoor pool. These changes will remain in effect through Memorial Day weekend in May 2025. As usage increases during the summer months, we will return guards to the outdoor pool, as well as reevaluate club hours. If you have any questions about the new club hours, please contact Chelsea Jordan at chelseaj@samena.com. For inquiries regarding the adults-only, unguarded lap swim at the outdoor pool, please reach out to Mark Feeney at markf@samena.com.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support.
Warm regards,
Samena Management

November Staff & Member Spotlight

Introducing Ben Petrosky

If your kids were in summer camp this year or have taken swim lessons with us, you may already know and love Ben Petrosky, our new Children’s Program Coordinator!
Read More

Crafty Kids at the Holiday Market

Get to know Kaitlyn and Lincoln, two of the crafty kids who are not only valued members at Samena, but also local vendors at this year’s Holiday Market!
Read More

Indoor Pool & Locker Room Project

Dear Samena Members, 

As the holiday season approaches, we’re excited to share updates about our upcoming infrastructure upgrades at the club! 

To minimize disruption for our members, we’ll be tackling three projects simultaneously: 

1. Replacement of hot water tanks and mixing valves for the general and family locker rooms.
2. Replacement of the natatorium DuctSox.
3. HVAC component upgrades in the natatorium.

For those who frequently use the general locker rooms, we’ve heard your feedback about the inconsistent water temperatures in the showers, and we’re happy to announce that this project will address that issue. 

Project Timeline:  

The indoor pool will be closed from Monday, November 25th, to Wednesday, November 27th, to allow our HVAC contractor to install the new DuctSox and set up venting for the hot water tanks.  

On Monday, November 25th, there will be a complete water shut-off to the back building, impacting all locker rooms and restrooms. Please use the restrooms available in the front building on this day. The locker rooms will remain open for changing only, and the outdoor shower will be available on the outdoor pool deck. 

Please note that during the entire three-day period, there will be no hot water in the general and family locker rooms. The locker rooms will remain open, but the showers will be cold. Apart from the first day’s water shut-off, the adult locker rooms will not be affected. 

We’ll ensure the pool remains at temperature throughout the project, so we plan to reopen the indoor pool as the project wraps up at around 3 PM on Wednesday, November 27th. As with any project, this timeline is an estimate; we will keep you informed of any changes. 

Pool Schedule 11/25 – 12/1

While infrastructure upgrades may not be the most glamorous, they are essential for maintaining the club’s efficiency. We appreciate your understanding and support during this time! 

Thank you,
Samena Staff

October Staff & Member Spotlight

Reintroducing Marianne Taylor

If you’ve been around Samena a while, you may have already met our long-time Personal Trainer & Group Fitness Class Instructor, Marianne. We are so pleased to announce that she has taken on a new role as Samena’s Fitness Coordinator!

Read More

Members Take Gold

Meet Siran & Isabella, two remarkable 12-year-olds making their mark in Competitive & Artistic Swimming! They represented the USA at the Pan American Aquatics Championships in Lima, Peru, securing 1st place in the duet category.

Read More

Air Quality Policy

At the Samena Club, the health and safety of our members, guests, and staff are our top priorities. The following Air Quality Outdoor Activity Policy guides our decision-making in the event of diminished air quality due to forest fires and/or other air quality events in our area.

• In accordance with Washington State Department of Health Guidelines, all outdoor youth activities such as outdoor pool open swim, wading pool open swim, outdoor swim teams, water polo, and youth tennis lessons will be cancelled when the Air Quality Index (AQI) is 101 or higher.
  • Once cancelled, programs will remain cancelled for the day even if air quality improves.
  • Open swim will resume once the AQI is 100 or less for at least 30 minutes.
• In accordance with Washington State Department of Health Guidelines, Samena Childcare programs (before and after care, summer camp, and preschool) will hold indoor recess when the AQI is 151 or higher. Outdoor recess may resume when AQI is under 150 for at least 30 minutes.
• When the AQI is between 101-150 the outdoor pool will operate as Adults Only Lap Swim (Age 18+), the wading pool will close, and only Adult Tennis Lessons will operate.
• To protect the safety of our members and staff, the outdoor pools will close, and Adult Tennis Lessons will be cancelled, when the AQI is 151 or higher. When the AQI is below 151 for at least 30 minutes, pools will reopen.
  • Once cancelled, lessons will remain cancelled for the day even if air quality improves
• Outdoor Portions of Special Events will be cancelled when the AQI is 151 or higher. This may cause the entire event to be cancelled or just a portion of it.
• Due to their unsupervised nature, the playground and tennis courts will remain open for general member use during smoke events.

Samena owns and operates a high-quality Air Quality Index sensor. This sensor is used to determine the implementation of our Outdoor Air Quality Policy. This sensor can be found on the purpleair.com sensor map (map.purpleair.com). Staff utilize the ‘US EPA’ calibration setting to ensure an accurate reading.

New hours on Sundays

Dear Members,

After listening to your feedback through our latest Member survey and reviewing our past check-in data, we are implementing a pilot program with earlier opening hours on Sundays!

Throughout this summer and fall, we will be opening at 7am on Sundays instead of 9am to gauge interest and attendance before potentially making this a permanent change.

Please see our Pool Schedules linked in the menu header above for details.

Board Election Results

Thank you to all our Members who voted this year and attended our Annual Member Meeting!

Welcome to the Board:

• Neetha Rao (continuing Board member)
• Travis Sterner
• Tara Vollmert (continuing Board member)
• Ida Wicklund

We are very grateful to Jackie Zawalski, Jim Palmer, and Sienna Jarrard for running for the Board and offering their assistance and support to the Club.

Annual Member Meeting – May 21 at 7:00pm

Dear Samena Members,   

Get ready for another wonderful summer at Samena! Whether you’re a long-time member or just joined us recently, thank you for making Samena a wonderful community that welcomes everyone.  

I truly appreciate your patience and understanding while the Outdoor Pool deck and Wading Pool construction was under way. These improvements were necessary to our continued operation and are an investment in the Club’s future. I can’t wait to see folks lounging on the deck and kids splashing around and playing in the Wading Pool this summer! 

In addition to the facility updates, we made some other significant changes to our Club this year. By popular request all of our fitness classes are now included in the cost of your membership dues. Also, our Bylaws have been updated for the first time since 2011; I think the most exciting resulting change is our ability to conduct electronic voting. Finally, we had a terrific response to our Member Survey and received many, many useful comments and suggestions for the Board and management team to consider. 

We have more facility improvements planned for this year. Coming up this fall we will be repairing and recoating the ceiling of the Indoor Pool and replacing the general locker room hot water system. As we get closer to the closure, we will send details regarding the indoor swimming options we will make available to our members at nearby pools. 

Please join us at the annual membership meeting to connect with other members, meet the 2024-26 member candidates for our Board, and learn more about the Club through the annual report. The Samena Club Annual Membership Meeting will take place:  

Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at 7pm 
Samena Club 
15231 Lake Hills Blvd 
Bellevue, WA 98007  

Expect an email soon that will include the link to our new electronic voting system for our Board elections and your membership’s access code to vote. If you do not have an email on file with us, you will be mailed a ballot.

Please click here to read about our 2024 Board candidates. Voting closes at the start of the Annual Meeting, May 21, 2024 at 7pm & results will be posted here, on the Samena News page.

Samena wouldn’t be the place it is without our members, so we hope to see you there!  

Best Regards,  

Scott Polovitch-Davis
Executive Director

Dear Members,

We want to share some information with you about the recent Samena Club improvements and upcoming dues increase. As part of our ongoing commitment to enhancing your experience, we’ve been making significant improvements to our services and facilities.

First and foremost, we’re delighted to announce the opening of our brand-new outdoor pool deck! With this addition, we aim to provide you with a safe, enjoyable and relaxing environment to soak up the sun and unwind with family and friends.

We’ve also upgraded our beloved wading pool, complete with beach entry and fun spray features. Whether you’re looking to splash around with the younger kids or simply cool off on a hot day, this new addition is sure to be a hit for the whole family.

Finally, we’re thrilled to announce that as of April 6^th, group fitness classes will now be included with your membership! From yoga and weightlifting to water aerobics and masters swimming, there’s something for everyone to enjoy as part of your membership package. Additionally, each membership will be given 50 free coffee pods a year, to be used at our new coffee machine in the front building.

With these updates and additions comes an adjustment to our membership rates. We believe in the value of these enhancements, and we’re confident that you’ll appreciate that value once you experience them. The new fee schedule will be effective June 1, 2024. You should have received an email notification from us on Friday, April 5 with details.

You may prepay your annual dues at the old rate any time through May 31, 2024. If you currently pay monthly, you may also switch to the annual payment plan to take advantage of the current rates through that date as well. Simply pay online through your Samena.com account or drop by the front desk before rates change. Beginning in June you will be billed the new amount. If you have automatic payments set up with your bank, please be sure to adjust them.  Click here for our FAQ.

We’re grateful for your continued support and membership, and we can’t wait for you to see and enjoy the new improvements firsthand. Thank you for being part of the Samena Club community, and here’s to many more years of health, wellness, and fun together!

Yours,
Scott Polovitch-Davis
Executive Director

Samena Member Survey

Dear Samena Members, please check your emails for our Member Survey – We would love to hear your input and feedback. Each membership that replies to the survey will be entered into a drawing to win 3 free months of membership dues!

Survey Drawing Contest Rules

2024 Board of Trustees Elections

Every year in May, the Samena Club elects new members to our governance board to help provide oversight and long-range strategic planning for the Club. This is an exciting time as we shape the future of the Club and the positive experiences our members will continue to have!

If you are interested in applying to run for the Samena Board this year, please return the application packet by April 15, 2024.

Bylaw Update Ballot Due by March 19 2024, 5:00pm

We appreciate the feedback we received from our Members through our Town Hall meetings, online, and via the suggestion box regarding the proposed Bylaw updates!

The new Bylaws have been passed by the Board and now require ratification by a Member vote.

Members should have received the details and ballot via email on 2/21/24.

Dear Samena Club Members, 

We hope this message finds you well. We are thrilled to share some exciting news regarding our ongoing outdoor pool deck construction project. 

While the project is not entirely complete, we are delighted to announce that the outdoor pool will be opening for lap swimming starting Monday, January 29, 2024. This is an important milestone, and we can’t wait for you to experience the refreshed pool area. 

Also, effective Monday, January 29, 2024, Samena members will no longer have access to the Bellevue Club or any other of our sister clubs. We are grateful to them for their help during our outdoor pool deck construction project. 

We appreciate your patience and understanding throughout the construction process, and we are confident that the enhancements to our pool area will contribute to an even more enjoyable Samena experience for all our members. 

Thank you for being a valued part of the Samena Club community. We look forward to seeing you at the pool! 

Outdoor Pool Schedule: January 29 – April 30, 2024

We wanted to give you an update on our Outdoor Pool Project as we approach the end of the year.  Weather dependent, the outdoor pool should reopen mid-January.  Over the next two weeks, the concrete will be poured into place and our new deck will finally take shape.  You may have noticed the first pours happening earlier this week.  Importantly, the breezeway concrete is being poured this Friday which means our breezeway will reopen on Tuesday!  Thank you for your patience and understanding while we diverted traffic down the driveway. 

We also wanted to update you on the options you have to swim at other pools during the closure.  Members will continue to have unlimited access to the Bellevue Aquatic Center.  Simply check their schedule online here to make sure you go during a time that works for you, show your Samena member card, and get free access to their pools.  Since September, almost 750 members have enjoyed this option.   

Starting January 2nd, we will no longer be able to utilize the Phantom Lake Pool for weekday morning lap swim. 

However, we are happy to announce a partnership with the Bellevue Club for our members to have access to their competition pool for morning lap swim and Masters workouts.  The availability and guidelines for the Bellevue Club are below. 

Samena Members at Bellevue Club Guidelines 

• Access to competition pool only (Indoors, 8 lane pool) 
• Lap Swim/Masters practice only 
• Ages 16+ only 
• Samena Members will need to check in and show their Samena Check in card at the Athletic Services Desk 
• Schedule: 

• General Lap Swim: Monday/Wednesday/Friday 6-8am and 10am-12pm 
• Masters Practice (any skill level) 

• Tuesdays: 5:45-7am or 12-1pm 
• Thursdays: 5:45-7am or 12-1pm 
• Saturdays: 7-8:30am 

• More times may be added based on demand as determined by the Bellevue Club 

Thank you again for all of your support and understanding as we work to breathe new life into our facility! 

Thank you, 

Samena Staff 

Completion date: late December. Watch for an invitation to our grand re-opening!

As you may have noticed, our crew decided to install pilings along the north parking lot drain line in order to stabilize the line. Starting Thursday they’ll be installing pilings behind the natatorium and in the back field. Sometime next week they will also add pilings between the catch basin by the food truck spot and the breezeway. By next Friday all the big noise should be done!

This week they should finish up the coping work around the pools (providing a stable base for the pool-edge coping tiles) and will be grading the pool deck. Next week they should be installing pool deck drain lines and begin setting the rebar framework. Once the rebar is in, they’ll pour the concrete and then the finish line will be in sight!

It looks like the pile driving is going to continue through to the end of next week – they’re having to drive the pilings in deeper than expected so it’s taking a little longer. But oh boy, is that new pool deck going to be SOLID once it’s in! Once the pile driving is done, all the really noisy work will be finished.

Starting next week they will be grading the pool deck and will begin work again on the drains in the front parking lot (the drainpipe settled because of our marshy ground and the crushed rock they covered the pipe with, so they will pull it up and have a plan to redo it).

The leaves are falling and the diggers are digging! The contractors are getting ready to remove the steps from the wading pool, which is going to be regraded into a gently sloping “beach entry” with bubblers and a couple of fun splash toys. Soon they will be grading the dirt, and at the end of next week a pile driver will be driving many, many pilings into the ground. The pilings will support a mesh of rebar, into which our new pool deck cement will be poured. This will stabilize our deck and, along with awesome new drain lines, keep it looking nice for many years.

Work is also under way in the parking lot, where we will be installing new, larger drain lines. This is the first step in correcting our facility-wide drainage issues – we’ll be upgrading drain lines around both buildings. This work will also include fixing the front walkway and stairs.

Great news! After two weeks of prep work including draining and preparing our outdoor pools and deck, noise abatement prep work, and some initial pavement sawing, the major demolition phase is scheduled to begin on Tuesday 10/3. This will be the loudest, most disruptive phase of the project.

During this phase, pool deck removal and drainage excavation work are scheduled to happen concurrently and should take about 2 weeks. After this 2-week period, piling installation is scheduled to begin, wrapping up by about 10/27.

Although we’re starting late our contractors are going to expedite the work and target a finish date in mid-December.

Dear Samena Members,

As a reminder, the Outdoor Pool and Wading Pool will close September 5 for our remodel.
During this time, we have arranged for Samena Members to have free access to the following (please note that your Samena check-in scan card will be required):

• Phantom Lake Club: Lap Swim during 5-9am on Monday – Friday
• Bellevue Aquatic Center: Drop-ins (please follow the link for their Pool Schedule)

Please note that construction equipment will impact our parking lot, so please arrive early for any programming. Street parking in the neighborhood may be necessary at times.

Share This Joy!

By Allison A. Coleman

As Black History Month 2023 ends, I want to thank you all for taking the time to read this series. I went back and forth on what I wanted my ending note to be and what I kept coming back to is the joy I’ve found being a part of Samena’s community. February marked my 7th year working at Samena and over the course of that time I’ve watched this community grow in more ways than one. As new families join and some of our longtime members leave, coworkers go off to new adventures and new ones become a part of the team, what remains consistent is the welcoming environment. We all have a unique story and perspective we bring to this community. We all are trying our best to survive this thing called life. We all have common ground that we are seeking, a place of belonging, safety, and comfort. It’s nice to have a space of peace where what we seek can be found.

The pandemic awakened a lot of us to the trials of communities in the world around us and stretched our empathy. Some of us continued the hard work fighting for equality and justice, while some were beginning their allyship. For a lot of my kinfolk and me, we chose to be radical in our pursuit of justness. I personally decided I would no longer be silent about the disproportionate treatment of my community. Speaking up and speaking out can be terrifying but silence has the weight of my worst fears. I’d rather face giants than those terrors.

I began sharing stories about my family and friends and listening to stories from my peers. Handing these words and sharing these truths became my rebellion. My conversations became more meaningful and ended with more resolutions. My advocacy for myself and loved ones became so intentional I no longer was apprehensive of who didn’t like what I had to say. I wasn’t the only one experiencing this awakening and change. I see my coworkers and friends that look like me advocating for their right to live in a world that doesn’t put them at the back of the line. We all are living loudly and boldly as the melanin in our skin.

James Baldwin said, “To be a Negro in this country and to be relatively conscious is to be in a state of rage.” Reality is to live in constant fight or flight is a shock to the nervous system. It can become isolating and tiresome to constantly feel like you must prove your worth. It’s at places like Samena where I can find rest. Places I know I am free to be me and be accepted. I’m so grateful to have found this community and I am excited to continue to do the work so those after me can call this their safe place as well. If you take anything from my words, please take the joy of kindness and how it cost absolutely nothing give it or receive it. If you are a part of Samena’s community, I encourage you to listen to stories of your fellow members/guests and share yours. Strengthen our community with genuine relationships. Show our kids how to honor our pasts, respect our present and speak life into our future.

There’s Joy on My Plate

By Allison A. Coleman

(Allison’s Great-Great Grandma Evelyne, known to feed the whole neighborhood)

I don’t know about you, but for me nothing brings me more joy than a great meal. Whether it’s dining alone or gathering with loved ones, nothing beats a meal that leaves you craving it again and again. Sometimes it’s the flavors that linger on our palette, other times it’s an experience that resonates so heavily with us we desire to relive it again and again. In the South we eat comfort food almost daily. Tables filled with biscuits piled high, green beans your aunties spent all morning snapping and gossiping over, enough mashed potatoes to feed the whole neighborhood with just as much gravy made from scratch. We call it Soul Food, the recipes passed down from generation after generation that carry stories of survival, love, and resilience.

If you’ve never had Soul Food and you’re looking for a way to support the Black community beyond just Black history month, dining at some local Black owned eateries is a great way to do so! One of my favorite Soul Food dishes is gumbo. Living in the greater Seattle area I can appreciate the gumbo-esque feel of the city. Rich in culture, diversity, and history, you don’t have to travel too far to find delicious Soul Food.

Here are some places to check out and please comment below your favorite Black owned eateries, sharing is caring!

Fat’s Chicken and Waffles located at 2726 E Cherry St., Seattle, WA. Fat’s is serving up southern cuisine with the flavors of New Orleans. Not only is the food amazing but they also feature art by local Seattle artists. It’s a great place to gather with friends and family.

Seattle Cinnamon Roll Co. located at 13410 NE 175th St., Woodinville, WA. If you frequent Woodinville for its shopping and dining options, you may have driven right past Seattle Cinnamon Roll Co. While it’s a small brick and mortar drive thru, make no mistake they are cooking up huge flavor. Their cinnamon rolls are made fresh daily and go fast! Treat yourself to something sweet and delicious!

Communion located at 2350 E Union St., Seattle, WA. When you go to Communion’s website it greets you with “I am home.” Renowned Chef Kristi Brown style of cooking is so great she’s being spoken about all over the country. People are travelling near and far to taste her culinary expertise. While reservations may go fast, Communion definitely is worth the hype and wait. Their mission is to create an inviting space and Black culinary experience. Combining Soul Food and Asian influenced dishes you can find items like jambalaya or pho. If you go try my favorite the vegan Creole Fried Rice.

Finding Joy on Any Given Sunday

By Allison A. Coleman

The week after a Super Bowl is one of my favorite times. So many conversations buzzing about epic commercials, big stage production performances and gladiator worthy players who left it all on the field. To witness folks still reeling from quality time spent with friends and family eating the best of the best comfort food is sheer joy. While my views on football organizations have become complicated over the years, I still love that on any given Sunday players show up and show out.

I grew up watching football with my dad, a Cowboys fan. Loving that team is still to this day a lifestyle for my father. Most girls had posters of bands on their walls, and I had Neon Deon Sanders on mine. Thinking back on how passionate my dad was on game day, how he had zero care of the outside world, how he was free to be as expressive and emotional as he wanted to be without someone fearing him or mistaking his animated devotion for anything other than a man with a love for the game…those memories of safety are priceless.

Maybe that feeling of security is why I played football on tar with the boys. Much to my mother’s disapproval at the sight of constant bloody knees. I could have been seeking that assurance in the outside world that it was ok to be me. Strong, athletic, excited, and emotional. My football dreams died quickly when I was told I couldn’t play on the teams with the boys. As I look at my knees today, my physical wounds are long healed. I have the battle scars to prove I was there but the mental scar of being denied a fair shot still stings a little.

My conversation after this year’s Super Bowl will be different. There were so many Black firsts to honor. For the first time we witnessed 2 Black quarterbacks lead their team. Assistant sports performance coach Autumn Lockwood will go down in history as the first African American female coach to be on the sidelines for the big game. Off the field history has been made as well with Nicole Lynn being the first Black woman agent to represent a player in the Super Bowl. Let us not forget about Rihanna, while she’s not the first Black woman to take the stage, she’s the first Afro Caribbean to do so. All these accomplishments make younger me excited and inspired how these women were able to make careers out of love for the game and I’m joyous to see Black men be able to play and live without fear for a moment.

Join me in the Facebook comments section and please share your favorite moments from Super Bowl LVII that brought you joy!

Black Joy Is Now

As we all should know by now, February is Black History Month. While traditionally we see stories of great Black and African American revolutionaries of the past, such as Rosa Parks, Dr. Martin Luther King, or Harriet Tubman. I pose that we also devote as much time to learning about current history in the making and “Black Joy.” I heard a sermon once, and I’m paraphrasing it here, but the gist was if you’re stuck in the trenches of negativity what if you poured so much positivity in, it flooded the negative out? That is kind of the approach of Black Joy.

Our social media, news, and timelines are steadily filled with stories of devastation in Black communities.
So much so it becomes normal to witness tragedy and death before our eyes. I’m in no way saying we can be so toxically positive that only speaking about the good would eradicate the bad. I am proposing that we consciously make an effort to flood our minds with Black excellence, Black firsts, good Black news, and Black joy, in hopes that we can change the way the world views the Black community and finally accepts us in our common humanity.

So please join me throughout the month of February for a series titled “Black Joy Is Now.” I hope you learn something along the way, share with your core groups, and tap into uplifting conversations.

— Allison A. Coleman

“Black joy is about affirming one’s beautiful life. Black joy rejects the pathology of racism. Black joy is being fully human. Black joy is pride. Black joy is self-love. Black joy is shining bright. Black joy is living your best life despite living in a racist world setup against your very being.”
— Cal State Fullerton African American studies professor
Mei-Ling Malone