Tonight (Feb 11), ESPN will be airing a very important one-hour special deemed “Dear Black Athletes” where popular ESPN analyst Cari Champion will moderate much-needed conversations with prominent African American athletes, journalists and community leaders to discuss the role sports figures must play when dealing with societal issues.

“Dear Black Athlete” was taped in front of a live audience at the historic Sixth Avenue Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, the birthplace of the civil rights movement. Cari will be speaking with the following:

• Chris Archer (Tampa Bay Rays pitcher)
• Anquan Boldin (retired NFL wide receiver)
• James Harris (first African American to start at quarterback in the NFL (Buffalo, 1971)
• Jemele Hill (ESPN/The Undefeated writer/columnist)
• Chiney Ogwumike (WNBA No. 1 Draft Pick in 2014)
• Jason Reid (The Undefeated senior NFL writer)
• A. C. Roper (current Birmingham, Ala., police chief)
• Benjamin Watson (Baltimore Ravens tight end)
• David Williams (Athletic Director at Vanderbilt University)

The special will be broken down into four different segments discussing the roles athletes and sports figures alike deal with society issues, social justice, leadership, and more. Watch the trailer below and be sure to tune into ESPN at 8pm EST.

Powerful words from @mosesbread72 for our #DearBlackAthlete special. @CariChampion will host & moderate the conversations feat. prominent African-American athletes, journalists and community leaders at 8p et on @espn. pic.twitter.com/A839wc47nd

— Andscape (@andscape) February 11, 2018