Beyond the Game: Sports and Social Change

When the game ends, influence continues.

October 21–22, 2026 | Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park

For generations, sports have been more than competition. Athletes have helped shape conversations about race, equality, leadership, identity and social change—sometimes by taking a public stand and sometimes through mentorship, philanthropy and leadership in their communities.

Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park invites you to Beyond the Game: Sports and Social Change, a two-day film series exploring the intersection of sports, leadership, influence and social change.

Through film and conversation, we’ll explore the choices that come with having a platform:

What does it mean to lead beyond the game?
What are the risks of taking a stand?
Does influence create a responsibility to speak up?
And what happens when an athlete chooses to lead in a different way?

October 21 | Student-Athlete Film & Conversation

10:00 AM–12:00 PM

Designed for high school students and student-athletes, this special experience connects the themes of the film to issues young people navigate every day—teamwork, leadership, social media, peer pressure, personal responsibility and influence.

Following the screening, students will participate in an interactive, moderated conversation about what leadership looks like on and off the field and how they can use their influence to make a positive impact on their teams, schools and communities.

The experience includes film, student participation, a pizza lunch and a conversation moderated by Tim Singleton.

October 22 | Film & Community Conversation

5:30 PM–8:00 PM
Cocktail Reception at 5:30 PM | Film to Follow

Join community members, educators, coaches, civic leaders and guests for an evening of film, conversation and connection.

The evening begins with a cocktail reception, followed by the film screening and a moderated post-film conversation exploring the history of athlete advocacy, expectations placed on Black athletes, and how the changing culture and business of sports influence decisions to speak out, remain silent or lead in other ways.

Featured Conversation

The post-film conversation will feature:

1. Michelle Clemons
   Acclaimed Author

Danny Taylor
Five-Time State Championship-Winning Coach

Latrese Bush
Former College Basketball Standout

Together, they’ll bring perspectives from sports, leadership and lived experience to a conversation about what happens when influence extends beyond the game.

This is more than a conversation about sports. It is a conversation about leadership, responsibility and the power of influence.

Tickets Available Now

Reserve your tickets at exploremitchelville.org.