Hall Of Fame Basketball Player Nancy Lieberman Speaks At HT
Basketball Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman spoke at Huston-Tillotson University as part of HT’s Social Justice Lecture Series.
The trailblazing basketball player won national championships in college and played in numerous professional basketball leagues, including being the first woman to play in a men’s professional basketball league. She also coached men’s basketball, and is a head coach in the BIG3, the 3-on-3 basketball league founded and owned by rapper Ice Cube.
Liberman and Chad Houser, Founder & CEO of Café Momentum Advisory Collective, spoke on the topic Respect, Regard & Authority in a Civil Society. The still-active Lieberman strives to have a more significant impact off the court, using her voice to bring attention to and positively impact underserved communities.
“Muhammad Ali was the people’s champ because he was just so caring of others, and it didn’t matter what you looked like,” Lieberman said of her friendship with the professional boxer and legendary humanitarian. “He had such an influence on me as my friend and mentor for 40 years. I know I’m given the ability to make a difference. I want to make a difference. My legacy will never be about only playing basketball or winning medals. I want to help people. I want to help people understand. People told me growing up what I couldn’t be, and now here I am. There are young kids every day hearing negative reinforcements. I’m coming in with positive reinforcement. You’ve got to love yourself. You’ve got to believe in yourself. You’ve got to work hard. You’ve got to be a part of the change process.”
Having been influenced by Ali, Liebermann started her foundation to help kids attend college. Growing up as a quiet youth in the classroom in Brooklyn, N.Y., basketball was her medium of expression and theater of confidence that provided a platform that impacted her life and provided a way to discover her career trajectory.
“My charity has sent 70 high school seniors to college, many of them HBCUs, and have more than 100 dream courts open, state-of-the-art outdoor courts that are educational classrooms for a lot of people,” Lieberman said. “We want to be a part of the solution. We want to be actionary. A lot of people are noise; we don’t want to be noise. We want to make change.
From a shy teenager to evolving into one of the world’s greatest basketball players of all time, Lieberman encourages children and young adults to begin with self-belief.
“I learned something from Ali when I was 19 – respect everyone; fear no one,” Lieberman said. “I’m not afraid to coach in the NBA. I’m not afraid to coach in the BIG3. I’m not afraid to be a champion, role model, pioneer, or mother. Don’t be afraid. There’s nothing to be afraid of at all. Never stop working, wanting, or dreaming. Some people do it in movies, while others do it in music. Everyone has a different way of expression. Whatever your expression is – follow your gut. Follow your dreams. Don’t short yourself. So many of the athletes, celebrities, and successful people were told they couldn’t do something. You have to believe in yourself before anyone else will believe in you.”
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