The LPGA is committed to changing the face of golf, making the sport we love more diverse, accessible and inclusive. This month we are proud to share the stories of our Black Tour players, teachers, amateurs and junior golfers as we celebrate Black History Month.
Title/Employer: Dr. Harrison, Arbitrator/Mediator, Retired Labor Attorney
LPGA.com: What does Black History Month mean to you?
Beverly E. Harrison: It’s an opportunity to showcase the history of African Americans that was lost, strayed, or stolen and not explored in the school curriculum.
Q: Which historical African American has been a source of inspiration in your life (and why)?
A: Jackie Robinson, the baseball player who despite the odds persevered and excelled in his chosen profession as well as in the business arena upon his retirement from Baseball. Why? Because we share the same complexion.
Q: In the coming years, what role do you see African Americans playing in the golf industry?
A: I predict that African Americans and Latino participation will proliferate throughout the golf industry. To grow the game, we must engage our youth. Inclusivity, not exclusivity is the only mechanism to sustain the industry.
Q: How do you celebrate/honor Black History Month each year?
A: I celebrate Black History every day by touting the accomplishments, contributions, and inventions of Africans of the diaspora that is not taught nor understood in the United States. I participate in programs that educate the public about our true place in world history.
Q: What resources/tools do you recommend for those would like to learn more about Black History?
A: The 1619 Project, Black Reconstruction in America by Dr. W.E.B. DuBois, The Biography of Dr. W.E.B. DuBois by David Levering Lewis. Of course, more could be added but these are especially rich in considering the African Diaspora. These inspire me daily in addition to family legacies.