The first women’s cycling programs at a historically Black college, Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU), and at tribal colleges and universities will launch with funding from a three-year grant from Cannondale, EF Pro Cycling, and USA Cycling (USAC). Two tribal schools, the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Navajo Technical University in Crown Point, New Mexico, are the other grant recipients. The program is open to any woman who is a student at the university who wants to join the cycling club. “Having a cycling program is going to be a great asset and will give our students an opportunity to compete as well as keep them on a healthy track physically,” JCSU compliance director Shawn Meacham said.
“Cycling will give students an opportunity to consider or explore a career in cycling, while simultaneously becoming more involved in the community and the world of cycling,” she said.
“We have the ability to change cycling, to grow the sport for everyone, and I’m excited to see where this road takes all of us,” said CEO of EF Education First-Nippo, Jonathan Vaughters. “We are excited to support the Institute of American Indian Arts, Navajo Technical University, and Johnson C. Smith University as they pave the way to a more inclusive future in cycling. I’m hopeful that in the coming years we will see more diversity at the highest levels of the sport — and that our team can help discover and develop riders who haven’t enjoyed the same access or opportunities many cyclists take for granted.”