Parlour MAVEN x I'm POSSIBLE: Michelle Moore on Ridding Sports of Racism and How to Win

A woman like Michelle Moore knows that sports can illuminate positive qualities in people that they might not have known otherwise. Thanks to her experience as a teacher and an athlete, she hosts symposiums and bringing together sharp minds to tackle racism in sport and work toward an equal environment for all, whether they're running, jumping or swimming.This Friday Michelle will be featured alongside Winsome Cornish, Gisella Asante and three other outstanding women at the nextI’mPOSSIBLE Conversation, taking place as part of the Women of the World festival during International Women’s Day at London’s Southbank Centre.Parlour: What inspired you to use sport for social change, empowerment, and community development?As a former 400 meter runner and now an enthusiastic netball player, sport has helped me to develop many life tools for success that transcend the sports field. I've established community sports programmes and  seen the positive transformational impact sport has given individuals and communities from gaining employment to overcoming personal adversity through the discipline and focus that sport demands. It also represents our daily lives and reflects global politics. I’ve had a poster of the iconic 1968 Black power salute by John Carlos and Tommie Smith on my wall since university which reminds me of the importance of struggle and protest for better human rights for all. The true values of sport represent the best of humanity: determination, fellowship, teamwork and the pursuit of excellence.Why focus on racism in sport?Racism in sport is just one of the focuses of my consultancy. I’ve always felt strongly about equality. My mum is English and my dad is Guyanese, and when I was growing up my twin sister and I were often the minority at school. I remember wanting to be a positive female black role model to help young people and that’s why I became a teacher. Athletics was a big part of my life and my three passions emerged, sport, education and equality.When I worked for Charlton Athletic Race Equality Partnership I found the role very inspiring as the work focused on developing anti-racism through the sport and engaging with the Black community and supporting them into work. My first symposiums have therefore focused on racism in sport. I’ve produced launch events for The Connie Henry Track Academy developed a schools engagement strategy for the Black Cultural Archives and organised Olympic legacy events for schools. My consultancy is diverse and wide-ranging focusing on equality, sport and education.What inspires you?Brave people who take action and make things happen, like John Carlos, Tommie Smith, Marvelous Marvin Hagler. My family and especially my relationship with my grandparents inspire me as they gave me a powerful sense of self belief and a desire to achieve no matter what the obstacles. Young people inspire me all of the time with their courage and flexibility dealing with an ever changing and demanding society.What advice would you give to other young professionals?To know yourself and be honest about your internal drivers so you can focus on your passion. Take risks, be brave, have confidence even if you don’t feel confident and listen to your intuition and have an achievable plan of action for your life. Surround yourself with positive people who can become your trusted advisors and above all do the ordinary things well.Your symposiums have included Olympic medalists like Tasha Danvers, who was one of your favorite attendees?The concept behind the symposiums is to bring the world of academia closer to the community and create a space for thought leadership and innovation. So, it’s been exciting and inspiring to be so instrumental in engaging leading scholars in sport and race with minds like Professor Ben Carrington from the University of Texas who has been pivotal, coupled with the brilliance of lawyer and poet extraordinaire Daivd Neita. All of the high profile sporting personalities who have been part of my symposiums are generously giving back to the community by sharing their journeys and ideas for a sport free from racism.Has there been a point in your life where you felt that you made it?Only for a split second at key milestones in my life. When I got my first job as a teacher I thought I had a career for life, then realized after a crazy first day that I was just beginning my journey. In reality I’m still on my lifelong learning journey and I recognize my achievements. I'm humbled when I remember that I must be on the right track when I see young people in every day situations and they remind me about something that I’ve said or done in an assembly or lesson years ago which has stayed with them, those are magical moments.What's the biggest lesson you've learned from a failure?When things go wrong, the ability to know that there is a lesson is key. I’ve lost my way when I’ve failed to listen to my intuition. I try to listen to what my intuition is telling me, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t but it is better to take chances and fail than sit back and wonder.What do you do to relax?I play netball and enjoy spa days to relax.  I like to spend quality time with friends and family and love to travel when I can.What's your favorite travel destination?Anywhere in the Caribbean; Rum Point in the Cayman Islands is a fabulous place as is Whistler in Vancouver, Canada. I love the souks in Marrakech, Morocco to the generous and warm people of Ghana and the beautiful Italian lakes.What are your plans for the future in using sport for social change?I will continue to use my expertise to lead and support collaboration with existing and new partners who have a commitment to ultimately contribute to the reduction of racist incidents in sport.  My plans also include continuing to support grass roots initiatives like The Connie Henry Track Academy and to continue to mentor young people.  The development of my Runnymede trustee work and other advisory positions in the areas of equality, education and local government I hope will help position me to become a voice able to influence future policy development. Future symposiums will continue to focus on collaboration, sharing anti-racism practice and identifying solutions but with an added international dimension. In April I will be sharing the outcomes of the symposiums with academics and leaders in the fields of sport and race at the University of Texas in the US.Where do you see yourself in ten years?Living my passion through my work and making a positive difference to the community both nationally and internationally. I love the sun and learning about the world so I will be travelling more to warmer climes for both business and pleasure and enjoying a family life.What do you look forward to discussing in the I'mPOSSIBLE panel?Hearing the amazing stories of the inspiring women panelists and being part of the positive vibrant energy which is I’m Possible. I’m honored to be part of this special panel. On March 8, the sevent I’mPOSSIBLE Conversation will take place at Southbank Centre in London, UK. As the exclusive digital media partner, we will be running a series of Parlour MAVEN profiles on each of the speakers in the weeks leading up to the event. For more information on how you can attend, visit i-am-possible.com.