U.S. Olympic Committee Celebrates 24th Anniversary of FLAME Program

The United States Olympic Committee today announced the 27 student leaders from colleges and universities across the country who were selected to participate in the 24th annual FLAME (Finding Leaders Among Minorities Everywhere) Program. The 2017 program will be held July 25-Aug. 1 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

FLAME is designed to inspire undergraduate and graduate students of color to pursue careers within the Olympic and Paralympic movements. Selected participants have demonstrated a pursuit of excellence within their own communities and will have the opportunity to further their personal and professional growth by connecting with U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athletes, USOC and National Governing Body leaders, and others who have achieved success in the sports industry.

The program provides students with an in-depth look at the Olympic and Paralympic movements, and personal exploration of the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect. The program also offers a pathway for talented youth to become further involved in the Olympic and Paralympic movements, either through the USOC’s internship program, or other sports-related career and volunteer opportunities.

Participants in this year’s program represent 16 states from across the nation. During the eight-day program, FLAME participants will reside at the Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center and spend time with U.S. Olympians, Paralympians and hopefuls. The program will include professional development workshops, leadership seminars and networking sessions.

The 2017 speaker program is highlighted by several U.S. Olympians and Paralympians, including Olympic medalists Tommie Smith (track and field, 1968) and John Carlos (track and field, 1968); two-time Olympian Chris Coleman (bobsled, 1992, 1994); Rio 2016 Paralympic Games bronze medalist Amanda Dennis (goalball, 2012, 2016); and Paralympians John Register (track and field, 1996), Letticia Martinez (swimming, 2012, 2016) and Jermell Pennie (wheelchair basketball, 2004).

Additional speakers include Ashland Johnson, director of public education and research at The Human Rights Campaign; Erin Pellegrino, vice president of events and programming for the Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality; and several leaders from the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic family.

The program will also feature Jason Collins, former NBA player (2001-14) and NBA Cares global ambassador as the USOC’s FLAME Invited Speaker, supported by Drs. Tej and Simran Singh.

Additional activities will include Paralympic sport demonstrations, a golf workshop organized by the PGA of America and an outing to a Colorado Springs Switchbacks game.

FLAME Class of 2017

Name

College/University

Hometown

Jessica Barquero

University of South Florida

Miami, Florida

Andres Brito

University of Rhode Island

Providence, Rhode Island

Pelemarie Buika

Prairie View A&M University

Wailuku, Hawaii

Allyson Burr

Washburn University

Arkansas City, Kansas

Phillip Butler Jr.

University of Central Florida

Coffeyville, Kansas

Vanessa Chandler

Temple University

Norristown, Pennsylvania

Jonathan Chaves

Florida Atlantic University

Houston, Texas

Patricia Chen

Colorado College

Natick, Massachusetts

Isaiah Covington

Long Island University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Gabriella Galassini

University of Wisconsin-Madison

LaGrange, Illinois

Jasmine Holmes-Settles

Hampton University

Oxon Hill, Maryland

Sherrelle Jordan

Nova Southeastern University

Chandler, Arizona

Jennifer Lamothe

University of Central Florida

Cupertino, California

Craig Malveaux

University of Central Florida

New Orleans, Louisiana

Candace Martin

Alabama State University

Memphis, Tennessee

Jade McCrary

Florida A&M University

South Daytona Beach, Florida

Raquel Miranda

University of St. Andrews

Haines City, Florida

Steven Morris

University of Virginia-School of Law

Atlanta, Georgia

Destiny Morton

University of Houston

Huntsville, Alabama

Aboshioma Obemeata

Springfield College

New Rochelle, New York

Destini Orr

University of Central Florida

Petersburg, Virginia

Steven Payne

St. Thomas University

Miami, Florida

Meneftha Pierre

Towson University

West Palm Beach, Florida

Gabriel Quintero

Syracuse University

Los Angeles, California

Miranda Rivera

Wellsley College

East Meadow, New York

Adam Saunders

Trinity University

Pearland, Texas

Gabriella Scott

University of Colorado Boulder

San Diego, California

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