Connecting Sport and Community: A Conversation with Harrison Barnes and Kirk Walters

<p>Can professional sports inspire student learning and social impact? How can sports organizations leverage data to evaluate community outcomes? Do professional athletes and leagues have a responsibility to the community? In today’s episode, Nick and Calvin welcome Sacramento Kings star Harrison Barnes, a leading activist in the NBA community, and Kirk Walters, Director of Math Research at WestEd. The group discusses the links between sports and education, and explores the powerful platform athletes have to drive change and progress in their communities.</p><p><br></p><p>Sources for this episode include:</p><p><b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ts5ZjK4Buco">2019-20 End-of-Season Community Assist Award: Harrison Barnes </a></b></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://www.wnba.com/news/wnba-announces-a-2020-season-dedicated-to-social-justice/">WNBA Announces A 2020 Season Dedicated To Social Justice</a></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://www.nba.com/news/nba-details-all-star-support-for-hbcus-communities-impacted-by-covid-19">NBA details All-Star support for HBCUs, communities impacted by COVID-19</a></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://www.nba.com/news/more-than-3m-to-be-donated-in-initial-support-as-part-of-nba-all-star-2021">More than $3M to be donated in initial support as part of NBA All-Star 2021</a></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/colin-kaepernick-kneeling-protest-timeline/xktu6ka4diva1s5jxaylrcsse">Colin Kaepernick kneeling timeline: How protests during the national anthem started a movement in the NFL</a></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://slate.com/human-interest/2016/07/the-wnbas-black-lives-matter-protest-has-set-new-standard-for-sports-activism.html">The WNBA’s Black Lives Matter Protest Has Set a New Standard for Sports Activism</a></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://slate.com/culture/2020/08/wnba-activism-nba-strike-influence-jacob-blake.html">The WNBA Made the NBA Strike Possible</a></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://theundefeated.com/features/how-the-nba-s