Invisible Giants Foundation celebrates National Girls & Women in Sports Day

FLINT, Michigan — Walking inside the gymnasium of the International Academy of Flint on Monday, Feb. 3, you could feel a sense of empowerment and accomplishment.

International Academy of Flint teamed up with the Invisible Giants Foundation to celebrate National Girls and Women’s in Sports Day (NGWSD) — a day that honors the women who paved the way for today’s female student-athletes to follow their footsteps and understand why this nationwide recognize day was made possible.

International Academy girl student-athletes had the privilege to hear from key speaker honorees Deanna Nolan (Owner of Vino & Vibes in Utica, MI), and 3X WNBA Champion, Linnell Jones, who is also the first female professional basketball player from Flint.

Shelly Sparks-Green (City of Flint Chief Resilience Officer and HBCU Southern University women’s basketball player) was also present to describe the sacrifices and obstacles the women overcame.

After the conclusion of the panel, all speakers were presented with an appreciation award. Afterward, the floor was open for student-athletes to ask questions to the guest panelists about nutrition and balancing life as a student-athlete.

Invisible Giants Foundation founder Jashell Mitchell-Cross expressed that this event was a baby step to make more events in the future. “There always has been a void for the women who have done great things and blaze trails from the city of Flint,” said Mitchell-Cross. “A lot of recognition goes to my Flintstones guys but I didn’t see a woman featured so it prompted me to make a concerted effort to highlight the woman Flintstones.”

For more information, visit: invisiblegiantsflint.com, or call (810) 819-5899.