St. John's University Athletics
Mike Anderson Joins Advancement of Blacks in Sports Organization
9/8/2020 11:30:00 AM | Men's Basketball
St. John’s Head Men’s Basketball Coach Joins Notable African Americans, Coaches and Social Justice Activists to Rally for Racial Equity
QUEENS, N.Y. – St. John's Head Men's Basketball Coach Mike Anderson will serve as a committee member for the Advancement of Blacks in Sports (ABIS), a newly formed non-profit organization with a mission to connect and inspire people to boldly advocate for racial, social, and economic justice for Blacks in sports. ABIS works to foster a culture of equity and inclusion in all aspects of sports.
Â
Anderson was appointed to the organization's Student Athlete Internship Initiative Committee that is co-chaired by Missouri Head Men's Basketball Coach Cuonzo Martin and Buffalo Women's Basketball Head Coach Felisha Legette-Jack. ABIS has also assembled committees for Racial Equity Research, ACT/SAT Standardization Test, Voter Registration, Hiring Practices, Supplier Diversity Initiative, Black Lives Matter Initiative and Education Initiative: Teaching African American History.
Â
"It's an honor to join the esteemed members of ABIS as we unite to inspire change and create more opportunities in sports for young men and women of color," said Anderson. "I am deeply committed to using my platform as a head coach in the BIG EAST Conference to serve our action-oriented organization in support of its overarching mission of advocating for social justice."
Â
Since the tragic death of George Floyd, ABIS founder and basketball grassroots coaching legend Gary Charles has meticulously identified and partnered with a unique collaborative team of leading African American professionals in sports, music, law and business to assist in the normalization of equal rights and fair treatment of Black people.
Â
Charles notes, "The passing of John Thompson means another American icon has passed away. One of the best ways to honor him is for us to continue the legacy he started. We have not been fully embraced in the board room, had more head coaching positions, and been consistently blocked out of revenues earned through contracts specific to athletics. ABIS seeks to align with student-athletes and other professionals who are willing to use their voices for the betterment of all Blacks in sports.  It's time for advancement!"
Â
Keys to victory for ABIS include economic sustainability, education, grassroots and community outreach, racial equity research, and student athlete engagement. These keys to victory serve as the guiding framework for the elimination of inequitable hiring and retention practices in sports, access to economic opportunities at sporting events for black business owners, increasing awareness of the value of curriculum that teaches African American history, the promotion of civics and voter engagement, assistance with transition of student-athletes from graduation to careers, and the protection of student-athletes during and outside of competition.
Â
ABIS officially launched on September 2, 2020. For more about ABIS see www.weareabis.org. Â
Â
ABIS Executive Committee and Board Members Include: Gary Charles, ABIS Founder; Felicia Hall Allen, Felicia Hall Allen & Associates; Jackie Carson, Furman University;Â Etop Udo'Ema, director of Compton Magic (Adidas Grassroots Basketball); Nikki Fargas, Louisiana State University; Leonard Hamilton, Florida State University; Rob Lanier, Georgia State; Dave Leitao, DePaul University; Kimberly Morgan, USA Track & Field; Terrell Myers, We R 1(Under Armour Grassroots Basketball); Heather Palmore, Esq. (Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, Law Firm); Marquis "Bo" Porter, Bo Porter's Future All-Stars Development Academy; Dawn Staley, University of South Carolina; Keith Stevens, Team Takeover (Nike Grassroots Basketball); C. Vivian Stringer, Rutgers University; Dr. Deborah Stroman, University of North Carolina; Guy Troupe, Troupe21 & Associates; Ben Crump (Civil Rights Attorney), Michael Hausfeld (Human Rights Attorney), Dr. Richard Lapchick (University of Central Florida); Tracey McGrady (Former NBA Player) and Chuck D (Rapper).
Â
Â
Anderson was appointed to the organization's Student Athlete Internship Initiative Committee that is co-chaired by Missouri Head Men's Basketball Coach Cuonzo Martin and Buffalo Women's Basketball Head Coach Felisha Legette-Jack. ABIS has also assembled committees for Racial Equity Research, ACT/SAT Standardization Test, Voter Registration, Hiring Practices, Supplier Diversity Initiative, Black Lives Matter Initiative and Education Initiative: Teaching African American History.
Â
"It's an honor to join the esteemed members of ABIS as we unite to inspire change and create more opportunities in sports for young men and women of color," said Anderson. "I am deeply committed to using my platform as a head coach in the BIG EAST Conference to serve our action-oriented organization in support of its overarching mission of advocating for social justice."
Â
Since the tragic death of George Floyd, ABIS founder and basketball grassroots coaching legend Gary Charles has meticulously identified and partnered with a unique collaborative team of leading African American professionals in sports, music, law and business to assist in the normalization of equal rights and fair treatment of Black people.
Â
Charles notes, "The passing of John Thompson means another American icon has passed away. One of the best ways to honor him is for us to continue the legacy he started. We have not been fully embraced in the board room, had more head coaching positions, and been consistently blocked out of revenues earned through contracts specific to athletics. ABIS seeks to align with student-athletes and other professionals who are willing to use their voices for the betterment of all Blacks in sports.  It's time for advancement!"
Â
Keys to victory for ABIS include economic sustainability, education, grassroots and community outreach, racial equity research, and student athlete engagement. These keys to victory serve as the guiding framework for the elimination of inequitable hiring and retention practices in sports, access to economic opportunities at sporting events for black business owners, increasing awareness of the value of curriculum that teaches African American history, the promotion of civics and voter engagement, assistance with transition of student-athletes from graduation to careers, and the protection of student-athletes during and outside of competition.
Â
ABIS officially launched on September 2, 2020. For more about ABIS see www.weareabis.org. Â
Â
ABIS Executive Committee and Board Members Include: Gary Charles, ABIS Founder; Felicia Hall Allen, Felicia Hall Allen & Associates; Jackie Carson, Furman University;Â Etop Udo'Ema, director of Compton Magic (Adidas Grassroots Basketball); Nikki Fargas, Louisiana State University; Leonard Hamilton, Florida State University; Rob Lanier, Georgia State; Dave Leitao, DePaul University; Kimberly Morgan, USA Track & Field; Terrell Myers, We R 1(Under Armour Grassroots Basketball); Heather Palmore, Esq. (Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, Law Firm); Marquis "Bo" Porter, Bo Porter's Future All-Stars Development Academy; Dawn Staley, University of South Carolina; Keith Stevens, Team Takeover (Nike Grassroots Basketball); C. Vivian Stringer, Rutgers University; Dr. Deborah Stroman, University of North Carolina; Guy Troupe, Troupe21 & Associates; Ben Crump (Civil Rights Attorney), Michael Hausfeld (Human Rights Attorney), Dr. Richard Lapchick (University of Central Florida); Tracey McGrady (Former NBA Player) and Chuck D (Rapper).
Â
Postgame Press Conference St. John's vs Duke 3.27.2026
Friday, March 27
St. John's Men's Basketball Pregame Press Conference NCAA Sweet Sixteen vs Duke 3.26.2026
Thursday, March 26
St. John's Men's Basketball NCAA Tournament Round 2 postgame Press Conference 3.22.26
Sunday, March 22
St. John's Men's Basketball Pregame Press Conference NCAA Round 2 3.21
Saturday, March 21