NEW HAVEN, Conn. - We have heard our student-athletes' and communities' call to action. We have seen all the anger, disappointment and hurt from the last few weeks. This is how we will stand together to proceed forward on the path of making progress for humanity. This is our promise.
 
The Ivy Promise represents the Ivy League basketball coaches' commitment to the Black Lives Matter movement. While individually our platforms are influential, combined our platforms can be a catalyst for change. We are committed to achieving reform. We will stand against inequality and discrimination until all people are afforded the same opportunities in wages, healthcare, housing, education, and criminal justice. Together we will stand for justice, educate the people, and support our communities.
 
Our initial action items as a league are as follows:
 

• As the Head Coaches of Ivy League Basketball, we will use our status and privilege to be vocal advocates for equality for all.
• When possible, our programs will buy from local black and minority owned businesses to help uplift our communities economically and decrease the wealth gap.
• Our coaches and student-athletes will not only participate in All Vote No Play on November 3, but also use our voting power in local and state elections because that is where topics like criminal justice reform begin.
• We will use our games on MLK Day and during Black History Month in February to avidly celebrate Black history and Black excellence.
• Each Ivy League basketball team will donate to and volunteer with the local organizations that are working to address the specific needs of our community.

 
This is just the beginning.

Allison Guth, Joel E. Smilow, Class of 1954 Head Coach of Women's Basketball, Q & A:

Why is the Ivy Promise important to you?
"This stands as a charter for creating an anti-racist culture of belonging that I believe in. It is with our collective voice that we acknowledge our awareness and authentically transition that into a long-term impact plan that is committed to the Black Lives Matter movement.We have an opportunity to be agents for change and to bring humanity together by standing up for what is right."
 
What does it mean to be part of a league that supports this movement?
"I am proud to work alongside leadership both in the Ivy League and at Yale that recognizes the importance of standing together for justice. We understand this is just the beginning and we are committed to be the change."
 
What specific actions are you taking to hold yourself and your program accountable?
"Yale's School of Management leadership expert Heidi Brooks explained the importance of leaders not reducing the level of complexity of an issue such as structural inequality and racism.  As a leader I want to honor that complexity and implement a long-term impact plan. We are creating a deep learning orientation through reading books, watching films, studying history and current events in the media, and having conversations. This will help to establish our team's game plan for change and fulfilling our Ivy Promise."
 
James Jones, Joel E. Smilow, Class of 1954 Head Coach of Men's Basketball, Q & A:

Why is the Ivy Promise important to you?
"The promise keeps the passion and the dedication for change alive." 

What does it mean to be part of a league that supports this movement?
"I'm proud to be among a group of coaches that understand the difficulties that face minorities in this country and that are dedicated to help in the efforts of change." 

What specific actions are you taking to hold yourself and your program accountable?
"Our staff will work together each and every day to generate ideas to help our community.  We've also come up with projects that our team will implement monthly so that we never stop pushing for change."