Mastery Simon Gratz, in partnership with the Black Women in Sport Foundation, hosted its third annual Lady Bulldog Leadership and Athletic Conference. The conference hosted female middle school student athletes across Mastery’s network at Mastery’s Simon Gratz campus for a day of community building centered on the experience of being a female athlete, especially one of color.

This year’s conference continued with the theme of "Move. Motivate. Network.” The goal is to bring together female student athletes to hear from speakers who have been positively impacted by sports, encourage the students to try new sports, and practice networking skills. The conference featured guest speakers, small group discussions, and “learn to play” stations for sports such as dance, flag football, lacrosse, tennis, track, floor hockey, more.

Gratz Student Ambassadors, Guest Speakers, and Conference Organizers

Mastery Gratz offers girls varsity basketball, softball, volleyball, track & field, and cross-country. Mastery Gratz also offers cheerleading, dance, and flag football as an inaugural partner of the Eagles Girls Flag Football League of Philadelphia. At Gratz, there are more than 80 female student athletes, with nearly half participating in more than one sport.

Organizers and Speakers included:

Tina Sloan Green, Co-founder, Black Women in Sport Foundation

Dr. Germaine Edwards, Black Women in Sport Foundation

· Dr. Lurline Jones, Title IX Activist

· Wendy Hilliard, Gymnastics Pioneer

· Coach Star Wright, Simon Gratz alumnus

· Ms. Ty, Division I Basketball Player and Educator

Jazmine Smith, Founder, Eyekonz Sports League

· Maureen Quiles, Mastery Schools, Flag Football Coach

· Mastery student athletes and ambassadors.

The Conference took place at Mastery Simon Gratz, 1798 W. Hunting Park Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19140 on

Wednesday, February 26, 2025. The general conference agenda included:

10:30 a.m. - 12:40 p.m.

· 10:30-11:00 – Opening speaker

· 11:00-11:43 – Speaker panel

· 11:47-12:36 - Breakout Session

Note: The breakout session will include students learning to play new sports.

The delicious brunch was catered by LP Catering 2U.

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About Mastery Schools

Founded in 2001, Mastery Schools is a public charter network of 23 K-12 schools in Philadelphia and Camden, serving more than 14,000 students in the region. With a mission to provide all students with the academic and personal skills needed for postsecondary success and to pursue their dreams, Mastery has become a national model for neighborhood schools. Mastery Schools offer students joyful classrooms where they can learn, thrive, and find their own paths to success. For more information, visit masterycharter.org.

About Black Women in Sport Foundation

Established in 1992, the Black Women in Sport Foundation, or BWSF, is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to increase the involvement of Black women and girls in all aspects of sport, including athletics, coaching and administration.

BWSF Hosts 3rd Annual Gratz Mastery Charter Lady Bulldogs Athletic & Leadership Conference