Meet the Board
Wolverines Against Racism
Executive Board 20-21:
We’re an enthusiastic group of individuals brought together by a common passion of anti-racism advocacy. Have a look at the 2020-2021 Executive Board and who they really are!
Briana Nelson
President of W.A.R.
Pronouns: She/Her/ Hers
Hometown: Kentwood, Michigan
Tell us about yourself: First-year graduate student on the women’s track & field team pursuing a masters of public health in nutritional sciences.
Why are Anti-racism and WAR important:
Anti racism/ DEI efforts are important because they are the patch to changing every aspect of our everyday lives through creating unity and making equality and inclusion a priority. Without these efforts we may never see progress as a society.
Specific areas of interest: Health equity
Favorite anti racist resources:
Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black man, The Hate U Give, When they see us
Josh Nichols
Vice President of W.A.R.
Pronouns: He/His/His
Hometown: Belleville, Michigan
Tell us about yourself: I am a graduate student here at Michigan and a member of the Michigan cheer team! I am passionate about my faith, travel, people, and foreign languages. My current major is Business, while my undergrad majors were International Studies and Spanish with a minor in German.
Why are Anti-racism & WAR important:
WAR is important to me because it provides an opportunity for education, communication, and solidarity for all student athletes. In the wake of the BLM protests in summer 2020, I think an organization like this is what everyone needs.
Specific areas of interest: Immigration
Favorite anti racist resources:
Martin Luther King Jr.
Milan Burgess
Secretary of W.A.R.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Hometown: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Tell us about yourself: I am a senior on the Cheer team studying sport management and business. I am from Minneapolis, MN, and I have always dreamed of attending the University of Michigan. Fun fact, I have 3 English Bulldogs named Bolo, Milo, and Blu.
Why are Anti-racism & WAR important:
As a black woman in America, I have experienced racism firsthand from a very young age. Racism is very prevalent in our nation, and without the proper education and activism, things will never change. The purpose of W.A.R. is to create a safe space to discuss issues as it relates to race, diversity, and inclusion within the Michigan Athletic community. Our goal is also to help educate our peers and create an open space for conversation.
Specific areas of interest: Racism during Covid, specifically focusing on inequity in healthcare
Favorite anti racist resources:
Between The World and Me by Ta- Nehisi Coates, Breathe: A Letter To My Sons by Imani Perry, The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
Sam Beetham
Alumni Chair of W.A.R.
Pronouns: He/His/His
Hometown: Holland, Michigan
Tell us about yourself: I am a Jr. studying Athletic Training on the Cheer team
Why are Anti-racism & WAR important:
DEI is important for a NUMBER of reasons but one of the reasons it’s important is because it allows us to celebrate unique differences and in doing so, allows us to love one another more fully. WAR was created to actively confront the racism that has distressed this country for so long. As a committee we are committed to providing a space to encourage student athletes to both use their voices and become more educated as to how they can do their part in this war against racism.
Specific areas of interest: Racism within sports
Favorite anti racist resources: Former NFL Linebacker Emmanuel Acho has been posting on Instagram a video series of “Uncomfortable Conversations With a Black Man” that also became a book which I am in the process of reading. Phil Vischer also posted two informational videos that went viral and I thought were definitely worth watching.
Sydney Whitaker
Co-Chair of Community Outreach
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Hometown: Glen Allen, VA
Tell us about yourself: I'm a 5th year on the Women’s Lacrosse team, majoring in Communications and Media.
Why are Anti-racism & WAR important: W.A.R. is the start of raising awareness against racism on our campus. Without education, the current state of our nation can not change and that starts with organizations like W.A.R. appearing on college campuses all over. Creating a space that is comfortable for anyone to come into and discuss diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as educate my peers who want to learn more on this topic.
Specific areas of interest: Education efforts of DE&I
Isaiah Livers
Co-Chair of Community Outreach
Pronouns: He/His/His
Hometown: Kalamazoo, MI.
Tell us about yourself: I am home state kid born raised from a city called kalamazoo. I love to simply live life and take advantage of any positive opportunities i can! I love my family and will do anything to make sure they are happy.
Why are Anti-racism and WAR important: Anti-racism is important because i believe in the dream of MLK’s words, where we all can live happily and peacefully. At the end of the day that is the goal.
Specific areas of interest: To promote awareness against racism at U of M
Favorite anti-racism resources: People
Haven Essien
Co-Chair of Social Media & Liaison to SAAC
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Hometown: Plymouth, MI
Tell us about yourself: I am a junior on the rowing team and I am double-majoring in French and MCDB (Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology), hoping to become a trauma surgeon (fingers-crossed)!
Why are Anti-racism & WAR important: As someone who is biracial, with a white american mother and a black nigerian father, I have been racism prevalent internationally and across many borders. Anti-racism, DEI, and WAR efforts are important to bring awareness to this issue and begin to dissolve these systematic, oppressive structures.
Specific areas of interest: Intersectionality in feminism, Colorism, Stolen Sisters, and Racism in Medicine.
Favorite anti racist resources:
Dear Ijeawele by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Minor Feelings by Cathy Park Hong
Black Bird by Nina Simone
Abigail Eiler
LMSW, MSW, QMHP
Athletic Department Liaison & Head Coordinator
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Hometown:
Tell us about yourself:
Why are Anti-racism & WAR important:
Specific areas of interest:
Favorite anti racist resources: