Diversity Roundtable Scheduled to Drive Inclusion at 2026 PGA Show Gathering

The Diversity Roundtable is scheduled for Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL — coinciding with the PGA Show and the 2026 African American Golf Expo & Forum. The session will run from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM in Room W110A, followed by an hour of networking and hospitality. Participation is free, and attendees can register at the Expo’s official website.

The Roundtable is billed as a forum for advancing diversity, inclusion, and opportunity across golf — from grassroots and community levels to national collaboration. Organizers intend to bring together representatives from local, state, and national organizations to discuss cultural engagement, economic opportunity, resource access, player development, and more.

Founded in 2021 by James R. Beatty, the African American Golf EXPO & Forum was created to address the long-standing underrepresentation of Black people and other communities of color in golf — both as players and as industry professionals. Over the years, the EXPO has directly and indirectly served thousands across multiple cities, offering clinics, networking, educational sessions, and business-development opportunities. 

Beatty’s vision has been clear: show that golf isn’t just a sport for a select few — it’s a business, a career path, and an opportunity for communities historically marginalized in the sport. As noted in prior coverage, “This is a $102 billion industry, and we want African Americans to understand there are jobs in the industry,” he says.

Michael Cooper, Ph.D., a longtime advocate for inclusion in golf, joins Beatty in organizing the Diversity Roundtable. Cooper’s commitment to broadening access reflects broader efforts to use events like the EXPO as a bridge — linking aspiring golfers or entrepreneurs to the many facets of the golf industry: playing, management, instruction, landscaping, club manufacturing, and more. By helping to convene diverse stakeholders, Cooper helps reinforce that golf today can — and should — reflect a broader cross-section of society.

The timing of the Diversity Roundtable and EXPO coincides with a surprising shift in golf demographics. According to recent data from the National Golf Foundation (NGF), among the 28.1 million Americans who played on-course in 2024, 25% identified as Black, Asian, or Hispanic — the highest proportion of players of color recorded in modern history. This growth in racial and ethnic diversity also reflects changes in the overall golfer population: over the past five years there has been a net gain of more than 2.1 million golfers of color. 

Despite that progress, Black golfers remain under-represented in many areas of the game. Some recent reports show that, even with greater participation overall, only a small fraction of the sport’s professionals, industry executives, and decision-makers are African American. 

That makes initiatives like the Diversity Roundtable — and the wider EXPO — more than symbolic. They are essential platforms for conversion: turning participation and interest into career pathways, community development, business opportunities, and real inclusion.

What to Expect at the Roundtable

During the January 21 event, organizers plan to explore several key themes:

• Partnerships between community groups, local governments, and national golf industry stakeholders to improve access.
• Economic opportunities: employment, small-business initiatives, and pathways beyond just playing — including course operations, manufacturing, retail, teaching, and more.
• Player development programs: nurturing junior golfers and underrepresented youth toward competitive play or careers in golf.
• Resource sharing: opening networks for funding, training, mentoring, and exposure.
• Culture and community building: strengthening a sense of belonging and inclusion for individuals historically marginalized in golf.

Thereafter, an hour of networking and hospitality will allow attendees to meet, exchange ideas, and build relationships — critical for turning conference talk into real action.

Registration for the Diversity Roundtable is open at: https://aagolfexpo.com/registration. For questions contact Jim Beatty at 402.415.9615, jbeatty138@aol.com and/or Michael Cooper at 813.495.3962, cooplife56@gmail.com. 

With the PGA Show and Expo providing a backdrop of industry professionals, sponsors, and exhibitors, the Roundtable offers a rare opportunity to blend business, community, and sports — possibly shaping the next generation of more inclusive golf.