Welcome to BGHC's Summer of Impact! (July 2025)
Hello BGHC family and welcome to the Summer of 2025!
Life in the United States and beyond is very different than it was back in 2018 when I started Black Girl Hockey Club with a hope and a dream to create a safer space for Black women and our allies of all races, genders, abilities, and sexualities in hockey.
I started the BGHC movement because I saw the gaps in how ice hockey engages in equity for Black women. This disparity led to the creation of BGHC, and our work in hockey spaces continues to be defined by our commitment to this community and a desire to take up space in a sport that we love.
Here at BGHC, we will always stand up for marginalized folks, we will continue to open our proverbial doors to those who feel pushed aside in hockey spaces, and we will never stop supporting Black women and the people who love us.
As we move into the summer months and the upcoming hockey season, we want you to know that while the world looks very different these days, the needs of our community remain steadfast. BGHC continues to offer support to Black girl hockey players and fans in the form of community building activities, educational events, as well as cash and equipment scholarships.
But, while we get to see the impact that your donations have on our members, perhaps you haven’t.
The truth is, you don’t get to read the scholarship application submitted by a young girl’s grandmother, requesting Bauer gear before her grandkid starts with a new team in the upcoming season.
Maybe you haven’t had the pleasure of going to a BGHC meetup in a town near you and cheering on your favorite team surrounded by diverse, fun-loving, hockey fans who share similar backgrounds and experiences as you.
Maybe you’re not a Black girl, and you’re not sure how you fit into the mission and vision of BGHC.
Let this be the summer you recognize your impact. Let it be known that your support, whether it is sharing a BGHC fundraiser with your friends and family, or donating your time, money and/or energy to the organization, matters.
In fact, Black Girl Hockey Club would not exist without our individual donors, our allies, and our amazing partnerships. Our volunteers, our contract workers, and of course our executive director (that’s me), are all committed to contributing the talents we have to make sure the game we love is a safe space for all.
We need you to acknowledge that you have a part in this story, too. What you do in trying times–the organizations and businesses where you spend your money, the words you speak, and the company you keep–matters.
If you’re able, please donate to our Summer of Impact fundraiser. If you’re not, continue sharing our work, talking about BGHC, and creating space for all marginalized folks in hockey. It’s an honor to stand up for something with you by my side.
--R. Renee Hess, BGHC Founder and Executive Director
Congratulations to our Summer Equipment Grant Recipients
We are thrilled to announce the newest members of the BGHC fam! These nine incredible players will receive $1,000 of hockey gear, courtesy of our friends at Bauer Hockey.
Our scholarship and equipment grant program was designed to ensure Black girls and women can pursue their dreams on the ice without finances hindering their ambition.
Join us in our mission to support these wonderful players and their families using the links below.
To date, BGHC has awarded $132,000 in scholarships and $58,000 worth of Bauer Hockey equipment. We are thrilled to be a part of their journeys and are looking forward to assisting more players and families in the fall!
Our 2024-2025 Season Recap
Our BGHC fam joined us for nine games from coast to coast and everywhere in between across the NHL, PWHL, and AHL - thank you. We hope this growing community continues to show Black women and girls they are seen, heard, and valued on the ice and in the stands.
Support us this summer and join us for a game (or two!) next season!
Get Uncomfortable Campaign
If there was ever a time to Get Uncomfortable, now is the time. Our GUC campaign challenges all entities in hockey to disrupt the status quo and make the sport we know and love to be more inclusive.
As a friendly reminder, GUC has three pillars:
encourage communities in hockey to foster a more welcoming culture in the sport
educate communities in hockey on the importance of allyship, social justice, and anti-racism in the sport
employ more Black women throughout all levels of hockey to diversify the sport
To advance our advocacy, please consider taking the Get Uncomfortable pledge and support our campaign.
