Kristen Miles Women in Sports Scholarship

In a world where stadium lights shine brightly on athletes and billion-dollar deals are signed in boardrooms, the presence of young Black women is still too rare, but I plan to change that. As a Black woman passionate about the world of sports, I see a future where we are not just present, but also positioned as leaders and creators. I am determined to become a powerful, respected sports agent representing NFL and NBA players. I don’t just want a seat at the table; I want to reshape the room. Growing up, sports were a core part of my life; with close friends and family actively playing sports, I was constantly at a game. In high school I wasn’t on the court, but I was in the gym, managing both the girls’ and boys’ basketball teams. That early experience gave me a front-row seat to the intensity and commitment athletes bring to their game, and it sparked my interest in the business side of sports. As I began to pay more attention to player contracts, endorsements, and off-the-field careers, I realized how vital an agent's role is, not just in making deals, but in shaping futures. My goal as a sports agent is to be more than just a negotiator. I want to be an advocate, a strategist, and a protector of my clients’ long-term success. Too many Black athletes are exploited or unprepared for the complexities of their careers, and I believe it takes someone who understands their background and their value to represent them fully. I want to help my clients secure the contracts they deserve, build strong financial foundations, and grow their brands beyond the game. But more than anything, I want them to feel seen, heard, and respected. Representation matters, and it’s no secret that the world of sports agents is still dominated by white men. As a Black woman, I know I will face challenges, but I also bring something that many can’t: cultural understanding, personal investment, and a fresh perspective. To achieve my goals, I’m currently studying Sports and Entertainment Management at Temple University, building a strong foundation in business, marketing, law, and leadership. I plan to attend law school after I graduate so I can become a certified agent, well-versed in contract law and negotiation. I’m also currently working on gaining hands-on experience through internships, networking events, and mentorships with agents and leaders in sports who can help guide my path. Every opportunity I take is another step toward becoming the agent I envision: smart, driven, loyal, and impactful. But my vision doesn’t stop at personal success. I want to open doors for other young Black women who dream of working in sports, offering mentorship and opportunities that weren't easily accessible to me when I chose this career path. I want to create or grow a network of Black agents, advisors, and professionals who uplift and support one another, fostering a community within the sports industry to care for each other and our players. I want to change the way players view their careers, not just as athletes, but as entrepreneurs, investors, and leaders. Many young athletes (especially Black athletes) are not prepared for the business side of sports or life after their careers. I've seen this happen far too often with my peers. I want to create or guide athletes towards platforms that provide mentorship, financial literacy, mental health resources, and career development tools. Sports are not just a performance but a platform, and I want to help athletes harness their power with intention and purpose. Additionally, I want to shift how the industry views agents, not just as deal-makers, but as trusted partners in an athlete’s journey. This career path isn’t easy at all, but I’m ready for the challenge. I carry with me the strength of my background, the determination to succeed, the support system that I'm building, and the heart to lead with integrity. As a future agent for NFL and NBA players, I don’t just want to win big deals; I want to make a lasting and meaningful difference. The sports world is evolving, and the next generation of athletes needs agents who look like them, understand them, and are willing to fight for them. I intend to be that agent and more.

The impact I hope to make in the sports industry is to create a more inclusive, empowered, and sustainable ecosystem. One where no woman of color feels like the “only one” in the room and where athletes are supported far beyond their playing days. I intend to achieve this by building access pipelines, launching athlete-driven ventures, and reshaping how capital flows through the sports industry. I’ve lived that feeling of being the only one. In high school, I was the only Black girl in my AP Calculus and Physics classes. So I created a club for girls in STEM, a space where young women could ask their “sciencey” questions without fear. That same drive to build access and belonging is what fuels me today in the sports industry. At the University of Pennsylvania, I carried that mindset with me by founding the first collegiate chapter of the Minorities in Sports Business Network at UPenn. As president for three years, I led student visits to Nike, Roc Nation, the MLB, the NBA, and more. These experiences helped students of color see themselves in roles across the industry. That work led to my internship at Excel Sports Management, where I gained hands-on experience in corporate and property sales. When my collegiate track career ended early due to COVID, I made the difficult choice to step away from competition. But I knew my impact in sports was just beginning. During my junior year, I became a fellow in the Make A Play Foundation. Each year after, I returned in a greater capacity; from fellow to mentor, then to executive assistant, and most recently as Head of Student Programming and Partnerships. In that role, I led initiatives to help underrepresented student-athletes transition into careers at Fortune 500 companies. Through partnerships with firms like Deloitte, Morgan Stanley, and the NFL, I have helped thousands of athletes access career pathways and build confidence beyond the game. Still, I know I can do more. This fall, I’ll begin my MBA at Duke’s Fuqua School of Business, where I plan to concentrate in social entrepreneurship. I am especially excited to propose an independent study with Duke Athletics that helps student-athletes use their NIL earnings to launch entrepreneurial ventures or philanthropic initiatives. In today’s evolving college sports landscape, with NIL, revenue-sharing, and conference realignments reshaping the space, athletes have more power than ever to shape their futures. That is why I am also focused on the investment side of the industry. I hope to work with a venture capital firm that targets sports tech startups or supports athlete-led businesses. On the other side, as private equity firms look to invest in collegiate athletics, I want to be at the table. I plan to help ensure that these investments maintain the integrity of college sports while creating value for athletes and institutions. Whether I am backing new ventures or influencing where capital flows, I’ll bring the perspective of a former athlete, a strategic partner, and someone deeply committed to preserving the authenticity and community that make sports so impactful. Like Kristen Miles, I want to leave a legacy that is rooted in inclusion, equity, and community. Through education, athlete-focused programming, and intentional investment, I plan to help redefine what success looks like in sports. Not just for athletes, but for the future builders of the industry. My goal is not only to break barriers, but to create systems that make sure others do not have to face them in the first place.

As a first-generation college graduate and a Black woman, my identity is central to my drive and the impact I hope to make in the sports world. I know what it means to work hard without a blueprint, to enter rooms where no one looks like you, and to fight for a seat at the table. That same determination fuels my desire to create space for others—especially fans—who too often feel ignored or undervalued by the very teams they love and support. I want to help change that narrative. Graduating from LSU with a degree in Sports Administration and now pursuing my master’s in Sports Management from the same institution, I am deeply committed to building a meaningful and lasting career in the sports industry. My goal is to work in either fan/community relations or event management, where I can merge my passion for sports with my ambition to make a real difference in the way fans experience and connect with their favorite teams. Sports have always been more than just a game to me—they are a powerful tool for unity, pride, and emotional connection. I’ve seen firsthand how much joy, hope, and even healing a sports team can bring to a community. But I’ve also experienced what it’s like to be a fan who feels overlooked or unappreciated. Whether it’s a lack of access to resources, unresponsive communication, or simply a failure to acknowledge the fans’ support, these negative experiences can affect one’s loyalty and love for a team. That’s where I intend to make my impact. I want to create a space where fans feel seen, valued, and appreciated. In fan relations, I hope to implement initiatives that strengthen the bond between sports organizations and their supporters. Whether it’s organizing interactive events, improving fan services, or launching outreach programs tailored to diverse communities, my mission is to bring fans closer to the game they love. In community relations, I would like to represent teams as active partners in bettering their surrounding areas—through youth development, charitable events, and partnerships with local schools and businesses. It’s important to me that the organization I work for isn’t just based in a city, but is rooted in it. If I choose to work in event management, I want to make sure every fan’s experience is seamless, exciting, and unforgettable—from the moment they buy a ticket to the final whistle. From managing logistics and ensuring accessibility to creating inclusive and engaging game-day atmospheres, my goal is to help create events that leave lasting positive impressions on everyone who attends. Every detail matters, and I want to use my skills and creativity to make sure no fan feels like just another face in the crowd. What sets me apart is my drive to transform personal experiences into professional purpose. I understand the emotional investment fans make in their teams because I’ve been that fan. My ambition isn’t just to work in sports—it’s to lead with empathy, to innovate, and to create lasting, positive change in the field. The impact I hope to make lies in building stronger relationships between teams and their communities, enhancing fan satisfaction, and helping sports organizations recognize the importance of investing in their supporters beyond just game day. My educational background at LSU has prepared me for this path both academically and practically. Through coursework, internships, and hands-on experiences, I’ve gained a solid foundation in sports marketing, operations, and leadership. These experiences have equipped me with the skills necessary to manage teams, solve problems creatively, and communicate effectively—all crucial abilities in fan engagement and event planning. As I continue my graduate studies, I am also committed to growing personally and professionally. I seek out mentorship, attend networking events, and stay updated on industry trends because I believe that learning never stops. The sports world is constantly evolving, and I want to remain adaptable, forward-thinking, and ready to seize every opportunity that aligns with my purpose. Ultimately, the impact I hope to have in the sports industry is rooted in making people feel connected. I want every fan—regardless of background, identity, or circumstance—to feel like they are part of something bigger than themselves. Whether I am planning a community event or improving fan support services, I will approach every role with compassion, commitment, and an unwavering drive to uplift the fan experience. The sports industry needs leaders who care not just about the game, but about the people who support it. With ambition in my heart and purpose in my hands, I’m ready to be one of them.

The first time I picked up a basketball, I didn’t know I was stepping into a world that would shape the way I saw myself and the way I saw the world. What I did know was that sports made me feel powerful. I wasn’t the tallest or the fastest, but when I played, I felt confident, capable, and free. As a young Black girl, I rarely saw people who looked like me in sports leadership roles. But even then, I knew I didn’t just want to play the game. I wanted to change it. My dream is to make the sports industry more inclusive, supportive, and empowering for women of color. I want to create spaces where young girls see themselves represented, heard, and uplifted, not just as athletes, but as leaders, innovators, and decision-makers. The industry often tells us there’s no room for us at the top. I want to prove that wrong. Too often, talented girls walk away from their passion for sports because they feel unseen, under-supported, or like they don’t belong. I remember helping a younger student who had been cut from her team. She wasn’t lacking talent. She was lacking confidence and mentorship. I stayed after school with her, worked through drills, and helped her believe in herself again. Months later, she made the team, and the look on her face when she told me was unforgettable. That moment taught me that impact starts with one person at a time. If I can help one girl stay in the game, I’m already doing the work. But I want to go further. I want to work in sports management and youth development, using my future education to design programs that invest in underserved communities. Many young athletes don’t have access to proper training, mentorship, or mental health resources. I know what it feels like to have potential but not the resources to match. That’s why I want to build partnerships with schools and nonprofits that provide girls with tools to succeed on the court and beyond. Mental health is just as important as physical strength. I’ve seen athletes push through emotional pain in silence because they’re taught to be tough, not vulnerable. I want to help change that mindset. By advocating for mental wellness in sports and working with professionals who understand the pressures young athletes face, I plan to help create a culture that values rest, healing, and emotional strength. An athlete shouldn't have to break down to be heard. Representation matters, not only on the field but behind the scenes. I want to be part of the shift that brings more women of color into leadership roles in sports. Whether it’s working in a front office, managing youth teams, or creating outreach programs, I want to be someone who uses her position to open doors for others. My goal is to one day mentor the next generation of girls who want to enter this field and let them know they don’t have to shrink themselves to fit in. What drives me is the belief that sports are about more than competition. They’re about community, growth, and voice. And too many voices like mine have been left out for too long. I’m stepping into this industry not just to have a seat at the table, but to make room for others who are still standing outside the door. This scholarship would allow me to continue building the future I believe in, a future where young women of color feel empowered to pursue their passion in sports, without apology or limitation. With the right support, I will be that changemaker. I will be the leader I once needed.