By James Beatty
June 11, 2020
I HAVE BEEN READING THE STATEMENTS FROM SENIOR OFFICIALS FROM VARIOUS LEADING GOLF ORGANIZATIONS OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS. WHILE I BELIEVE ALL ARE INDEED SINCERE IN THEIR STATEMENTS, IT IS ACTIONS THAT ULTIMATELY MATTER.
HERE ARE 10 ACTIONS GOLF ASSOCIATION LEADERS CAN INITIATE NOW:
- RECRUIT AND PROMOTE AFRICAN AMERICANS TO KEY POSITIONS WITHIN YOUR ORGANIZATION ON STAFF OR ON YOUR BOARD
- ESTABLISH A FUNDING MECHANISM WITHIN YOUR ORGANIZATION TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY BASED GOLF ORGANIZATIONS SERVING AFRICAN AMERICANS
- INCLUDE AFRICAN AMERICANS IN YOUR MEDIA, LITERATURE, COMMERCIALS AND ADVERTISING
- COMMIT TO WORK WITH AFRICAN AMERICAN LEADERS TO ADDRESS ONGOING CONCERNS
- WORK WITH THE AFRICAN AMERICAN GOLFER’S DIGEST IN PROMOTING YOUR ONGOING MESSAGING EFFORTS
- SUPPORT THE FIRST ANNUAL AFRICAN AMERICAN GOLF EXPO AND FORUM SCHEDULED FOR FEB OF 2021 IN ATLANTA
- INCLUDE MEETINGS WITH THE CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS IN ALL FUTURE NATIONAL GOLF DAY ACTIVITIES
- ESTABLISH A FUND TO SUPPORT THE MAINTENANCE, ESTABLISHMENT, AND EXPANSION OF INTERCOLLEGIATE GOLF TEAMS AT HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
- CONVENE A MEETING EITHER IN PERSON OR ELECTRONICALLY TO DISCUSS THESE MATTERS WITH AFRICAN AMERICAN LEADERS
- MEASURE PROGRESS ANNUALLY AND REPORT RESULTS PUBLICLY
I AM HAPPY AND EAGER TO DISCUSS THESE SUGGESTIONS WITH ANY GOLF ORGANIZATION SO INCLINED TO DO SO.
RESPECTFULLY,
JAMES R. BEATTY
EXECUTIVE EDITOR AAGD
