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I am a sophomore DS/Libero  from Los Angeles, California. I am really looking forward to having open and honest discussions about the history of racism in America. Although I will never be able to experience what the Black population in America experiences, I hope that after these two sessions I will be able to further understand their experience and how I can constantly learn about how we can make our country truly equal in every aspect. I look forward to being even more of an ally to my Black teammates and how I can better educate others.

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I am a freshman outside hitter from Lafayette, California. I am incredibly grateful to be given the opportunity to have an open dialogue about racism in America. I hope to learn how to be a better ally and how I can improve my community. Not being racist is not enough to facilitate change. I am eager to learn more about anti-racism and how I can use my privilege to be a better ally, team member, and Penn student.

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I am a sophomore setter from Los Angeles, California. I am super happy and grateful to be given the opportunity to have this conversation because it is such an uncomfortable topic that needs to be addressed, especially as a team that will be spending so much time together. I believe that the first step in solving racial inequalities is to be educated on them, and so far I have learned so much already and am excited to keep learning what has happened in the past and how I can make sure it doesn't continue to occur in the future.

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I am a freshman outside hitter from Laguna Beach California. I am looking forward to engaging in this discussion to not only learn more about antiracism and become more involved, but to also really start to practice the tools I have learned through this whole process and deeper engrain the new norms.  I am grateful that we are having these discussions within penn volleyball  because it establishes what we stand for as community off the court and in the world.

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I am a freshman DS/Libero from Houston, TX. I am extremely lucky to be able to be involved with a group of strong people that are so invested and motivated in taking the right steps towards facing racism head on. I am not perfect in any way, and am blessed and excited to be able to learn and work towards change to participate in a A Long Talk. I want to become better educated no matter how uncomfortable or hard it is to tackle some of the discussions. I know conversations like these will help me and all of PVB to learn from others and each other, and I am very much looking forward to it.

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I am a sophomore setter from New Lenox, IL. From an early age two things have been heavily ingrained in me: 1) despite the events of the past, everyone in America is now treated equally and 2) as a white woman I will never be able to understand the plight of black men, women, and children in America. I am excited to be here to challenge both of these statements and to better educate myself where is needed (even if it is uncomfortable) in order to become a better teammate, friend, and active ally.

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Columbus Ohio, Coach.
I am very happy to be engaging in such an important dialogue with all of you.  I think having conversations like these are long overdue, and are what our country desperately needs right now.  Recently I have tried to live my life in a way that makes me 1% better every day, and I feel like conversations like this help lay the ground work for how I can be a better person to those around me.  Day one of a long talk was fantastic, and I am looking forward to the experience we can all have on day two!

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Outside of Chicago, IL
Sophomore, Middle Blocker.
I feel so lucky to have the opportunity to partake in this dialogue. As college students we are at a very formative age, so now is the time to engage and set the tone for an antiracist future. For an organization so central to my life, I feel that it is imperative to have these uncomfortable conversations to create the most supportive environment possible.

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California, Coach.
I am thrilled to go through this experience with this team. I really enjoyed the workshop this past fall and I gained an unbelievable amount of knowledge, we are all ignorant! It set my soul on fire to be part of the change and to be an ally. Getting the chance to do this as a team is a huge step in the right direction and we are so much better equipped to move the needle together.

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I am a Junior defensive specialist from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. I have been looking forward to the opportunity to engage in this conversation in order to better understand my role in being an active ally, taking a stand, and better educating others. I am not as educated as I would like to be on this matter, but I want to acknowledge this and be uncomfortable in order to form a strong foundation of knowledge and know how to educate myself further.

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San Diego, CA.
Junior, Middle Blocker.
I am excited to open this dialogue further with our team and create a space where we can unpack the uncomfortable truth about racism in America. I'm also looking forward to learning more about the history and experiences of Black people, and gaining the skills I need to share this information with others.

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I am a senior middle blocker from Poolesville, Maryland. I look forward to having the opportunity to re-examine US history and establish a productive dialogue with my team. Through this experience, I hope to become a better ally and learn how I can foster anti-racism within my communities.

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I am a sophomore outside hitter from Saddle River, New Jersey. As a black woman, I try to make it my mission to actively share my experiences and speak about anti-racism to bring about positive change. I hope this experience will help me gain insight into the thoughts of my teammates and learn about how we can work together to create a more inclusive space for all races, not just on our team but in the world.

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I am a senior outside hitter from Houston, TX. This is my second time doing A Long Talk and I am looking forward to having a more intimate discussion this time around with people I surround myself with 24/7 - my teammates. As a Black woman navigating multiple white-dominated spaces at Penn, I find it integral to have universal solidarity within PVB and truly, wholeheartedly support and advocate for Black lives without any if, ands, or buts. This talk is painful, painstaking, turbulent, but most of all crucial, and I'm excited to see the positive direction this team takes with the conversation we have in this space.

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I am a junior on the volleyball team and grew up just outside Chicago, IL. I am looking forward to participating in A Long Talk because I believe in the benefits of an open, honest dialogue. I am hoping that this conversation will help our team grow closer together, allow us to support each other more holistically, and foster an environment that breeds meaningful conversation and positive change.

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Hello I am a freshman setter form Madison, WI on PVB.
I am looking forward to the long talk because I believe it is a very important conversation that needs to be had. I look forward to learning more from my peers swell as growing gas an ally.

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Cleveland, Ohio
Senior Setter, PVB
I am a graduating senior from the volleyball team, and I am looking forward to participating in this workshop. I am very passionate about education, and I have developed a great interest in ignored histories over my years of study. I am very much looking forward to learning more about how the histories and realities of minorities and other groups have been marginalized. I hope to gain more knowledge and tools that I can use to combat racism in our systems and interpersonal relationships.

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Bay Area, CA
Senior OH, PVB
Although I wont be able to participate in playing volleyball with the team next year, Im excited to get into A Long Talk because the topics we will discuss about the racial injustices that plague America are especially important in order to understand and confront biases and to make sure that our generation and the generations to come change the ways that we treat people and to continue working on being antiracist.

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Los Angeles, CA
Junior DS/Lib, PVB
I am looking forward to participating in A Long Talk because I believe it's important to have these discussions in every facet of life from classrooms to sports teams in order to practice being antiracist in our everyday lives.

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Baltimore, MD
Team Member, Decide2Inspire
Greetings All! I am a Nutritionist & Wellness Curator, who is passionate about making a positive impact on the health of vulnerable and under-resourced communities. There is a natural hand powerful connection between the health of an individual and the health of a community. I am determined to contribute to building strong communities by providing access to wellness resources to those who need it most. The scope of my work encompasses social justice as it relates to nutrition, health and wellness.
Welcome and let’s be the precipitous of change!

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Oxon Hill, MD
Team Member, Decide2Inspire, I'm in Oxon Hill, MD which is right outside of DC. I'm a lifelong educator and learner. I'm ready to start this journey to eradicate racism and systemic oppression in our time. I have a 2 year old son and a lot of nephews and nieces who keep me motivated to make the world a better place for the next generation.

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Atlanta, GA.

Team Member, Decide2Inspire, LLC Grandson of a Tuskegee Airmen.  Born into the struggle. I am here because I need to make sure the world is a better place for my daughters.  The only way to do that is to have “A Long Talk About The Uncomfortable Truth” & ACTION!

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Washington, DC. CEO at Decide2inspire, Inc and creator of A Long Talk About The Uncomfortable Truth. I’m here because I needed to make sure my sons were attending schools and playing for coaches who were committed to keeping them safe and creating environments where their voices are valued and amplified. I'm here to engage in an honest conversation about identifying and eradicating the impact of racism in America.