⛸️ Breaking the Ice

Say hello to the Black Girl Hockey Club (BGHC), an empowering initiative led by women who are shattering the stereotype of hockey fandom, one game at a time. On the latest episode of the podcast, I had a conversation with Renee Hess, the founder of BGHC, about her journey into becoming a hockey fan, the challenges she and other women have faced in the sport, and the triumphs of black women in hockey.

The story begins with Renee herself. She quite literally wrote the book on women in hockey. Influenced by a sports-loving friend, she dove into the icy depths of hockey fandom headfirst. It was an unexpected but delightful immersion, as she was particularly drawn to the Pittsburgh Penguins while at a conference, and yes, she audaciously crafted her contrarian heart by becoming a fan of the team just because she was advised against it.

P.S. Let me know when you reach the last word! 🥂

A sense of isolation was apparent as she began to notice the significant lack of black women in the stands when she went to games. This revelation pushed her to take to social media, aiming to find other Black women in hockey and bring Black women hockey fans together.

This wasn't a half-hearted play. Her efforts culminated in the BGHC's inception: a sanctuary where community, empowerment, and visibility are more than just buzzwords. A meeting with the Washington Capitals and a well-timed first meetup saw 50 Black women convene in full hockey splendor—and the rest was history in the making.

She encountered black mothers passionate about the sport, sharing stories of pushing through systemic adversities while supporting their sports-inclined children as they navigated the path from the junior leagues to professional stages. BGHC's strategy involved community-building and generating support for these "hockey mamas." Taking the concept of "it takes a village" to heart, the club offers equipment scholarships and hosts mentorship programs, ensuring black juniors receive the support they rightfully deserve.

According to USA Hockey, over 98,000 girls and women have registered to play the sport in the 2024-2025 season, which is a 5% increase from the previous season. Fan attendance at PWHL games increased by over 50% and PWHL merchandise sales doubled. The demand is here.

BGHC represents more than just a fan group; it's a call for equity and evolution within sports culture, particularly hockey. Renee's book, "Blackness is a Gift I Can Give Her," unpacks black women's underrepresentation and offers profound insights into the intersections of race, gender, and sports.

True to form, Hess’s advocacy breaches the rink barriers—between organizing group outings to games (cue envy-inducing planned attendance at the new Seattle PWHL team home opener this fall) and being present at historic moments, like helping a family navigate boarding school for their child, hoping to play hockey. The BGHC defines sportsmanship on its own terms, endorsing inclusivity universally.

Renee Hess and the Black Girl Hockey Club make a solid case for why hockey is anyone's game.

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In melanated sports news

// WNBA All-Star Weekend starts Friday. A skills competition, a 3-point shooting competition, a big game between heavyweights, and a break for the other 90% of the league that isn’t competing. We’re halfway through the season, and the injuries and waivers feel like the most consistent news headline. This weekend will hopefully usher in some playfulness and lightheartedness that we all need. I’m curious…

// Athletes Unlimited announces the first round of players for the 2026 basketball season. Some familiar faces and some rookie faces. Nashville didn’t get an expansion team, but they’ll still have professional women’s basketball games, so they left the table with something.

// Team USA defeats Team Brazil to win FIBA Women’s AmeriCup 2025. The women’s basketball team, led by none other than Kara Lawson, won 92-84 to clinch the victory. While I’m still sad for Kamilla Cardoso and Damiris Dantas, I’m happy they’re back with their WNBA teams. This victory for Team USA accomplished a few things: they avenged their 2023 loss to Brazil, they earned a gold medal, and they secured a direct berth to the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup. A win-win-win.

The last word 🥂

This month is our 1-year anniversary! We’re dropping a new website soon, but in the meantime, enjoy this playlist on your next workout or outdoor adventure! The songs were curated from our podcast guests (like Renee)!