Sports have a crucial role to play in the fight against racism, and Kim Davis is a leading voice in the conversation.
On Thursday, Davis — the NHL’s senior executive VP of social impact, growth initiatives, and legislative affairs — wrote an op-ed published on NHL.com addressing hockey’s role in the fight against racism.
It’s a thorough, powerful piece that should be read by everyone in and around the hockey world — and by those who perhaps have not felt welcomed in it in the past.
“The NHL has long used the phrase ‘Hockey is for Everyone,’ not as a statement of today’s reality, but as an expression of our vulnerability and a vision for our future,” Davis wrote. “While the game is not renowned for its diversity, I believe it is nonetheless poised to become the most inclusive sport in the world.”
In the piece, Davis acknowledged the importance of athletes speaking out, and pushed for more white allies to help propel these conversations and create lasting change across the sport — and society as a whole.
“Recent public statements from NHL club ownership to presidents, general managers and coaches have in effect ‘freed’ active NHL players to be vocal about their values. In a ‘team-first’ sport known for a historic reluctance to engage on divisive social or political issues, this has been a significant and welcome departure,” Davis wrote. “What was once a handful of lone voices (many of whom were retired black players who spoke publicly about race and hockey in measured and protective tones) is now a cacophony of voices across the demographic spectrum who are leveraging this larger social movement to ‘speak their truths’ on the state of the game.”
In her role with the league, Davis works with people and organizations across the game at all levels to make hockey a more inclusive sport for all. She wrote about some of the NHL’s initiatives that will play an important role in making that a reality going forward.
On amplifying players’ voices:
“As a league we will create new avenues and safe spaces for individual expression for NHL players. We welcome thoughtful, peaceful and positive demonstrations, actions and articulations that further social progress within the sport and our world,” Davis wrote.
On cultivating inclusivity through dedicated councils and committees:
“We are in the process of forming diversity and inclusion councils and committees comprised of hockey executives, coaches, players and influencers at all levels of the game. These bodies will help produce solutions-based thinking for how the sport can better appeal to and serve employees, fans, players and youth hockey families from under-indexed demographic communities.”
On creating a safe space for players to speak up:
“We have solidified a zero-tolerance policy for racist and discriminatory language or behaviour. We are building a new Hockey Culture Hotline, operated by an independent third party, to enable individuals with relevant information to report misconduct — from abuse of influence to discrimination and beyond — so that it may be eliminated.”
On reestablishing relationships with youth hockey programs:
“…particularly those intentionally reaching out to welcome nontraditional hockey communities. It will also include building an alliance of nonprofit programs serving historically marginalized populations. And it will include a reformed approach to league and club offerings, such as Learn to Play, with greater attention paid to the families we are recruiting.”
On the NHL’s own hirings and diversity:
“We are committed to building partnerships and platforms that change the way we recruit, hire and develop talent, from interns to seasoned executives. The NHL is breaking down the traditional mindset around employment practices; we seek impressive individuals from all walks of life to improve the way we think, create, operate. Diversity is key to our future innovation.”
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