Students of Color Shine in Sports Broadcasting at BC Central, Lakeview
A New Generation of Sports Broadcasters
BATTLE CREEK, MI – Last week, Simone Brown was on the sidelines of the Battle Creek Central vs. Kalamazoo Central football game, conducting interviews with players. In a few years, she might be on ESPN, talking to a future Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback during primetime TV. That’s the goal.
Brown, a junior at Battle Creek Central, and Allivia Rizor, a sophomore at Lakeview, are getting a taste of sports broadcasting with the help of a local charitable organization. They have created a unique platform for themselves in the world of journalism.
Expanding Opportunities Through Community Programs
The two young women have been busy creating content via a podcast broadcast at their respective schools with the help of Heart2Heart Radio and the 13th Year Program, created by Joy Consulting. The 13th Year Program is an after-school initiative funded by grants and private donations, aimed at supporting students in the four Battle Creek public school districts. Under this umbrella, a media/sports broadcasting program was developed.
Brown had a tent and a mobile, open-air broadcast studio just outside the endzone at C.W. Post Field for the Battle Creek Central vs. Kalamazoo Central football game this season. She interviewed players prior to the game, made arrangements to talk to different players at halftime, and also chatted postgame—just like you might see on the networks. Rizor did something similar at a Lakeview football game earlier in the season.
Building a Foundation for Future Careers
“I have a non-profit I have used that to help students of color,” said Dana Canales-Jamierson, CEO of Joy Consulting. “We have created an after-school project and currently I have two young ladies that want to do sports journalism when they are done with high school. We collaborate with them with Heart2Heart Radio. We create an ESPN-like setup, we create promos, and they are able to do their thing.”
“I see a couple of kids that want to get some experience like this, so I figured I have connections, so let’s make it work.”
Brown’s podcast is called “L Simone Sports” and Rizor has one called “Live On The Mic.” The broadcasts can be listened to live and also played back anytime as a podcast. Listeners can tune in at www.heart2heartradio.com to hear it live or download the app.
Gaining Experience and Confidence
“I really want to go into sports broadcasting for a career, that’s what I want to major in, so this opens up a few doors to get going,” Brown said. “To pair up with a radio station to help with that, it’s been really cool.”
“Learning how to do things, talk to the players, learning the game, what to talk about and getting confidence to talk to them, that’s all been helpful.”
Brown and Rizor also get together and do a program jointly twice a month. Rizor is part of something called “Hanging In The Hub,” which focuses on Historically Black College & University events and recruiting.
“When I first started I was talking about news you need to know, or stuff about me or topics like race,” said Rizor. “I don’t necessarily want to go into journalism, but this is something I am passionate about. I want to build something that I can hand off and can continue to grow after I’m gone.”
A Growing Movement for Youth Development
Through these programs, young students are not only gaining experience in media and broadcasting but also building confidence, developing skills, and exploring potential career paths. The support from community organizations and local partnerships is helping to create opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach.
As Brown and Rizor continue to grow their platforms, they are setting an example for other students who may be interested in following in their footsteps. Their stories highlight the importance of mentorship, access to resources, and the power of community-driven initiatives in shaping the next generation of leaders.
- Harga Emas Antam Tembus Rp2,305 Juta per Gram, Rekor Tertinggi Hari Ini - November 10, 2025
- Apakah PB&J bisa menambah menit kehidupan Anda? Dokter kembar menjawab - November 10, 2025
- 5 Fakta Menarik Ngengat Vampir, Serangga Pemakan Darah - November 10, 2025
Leave a Reply