Mentorship:
Diversity Athletics Society Mentorship Program is a collaboration between respected individuals in sport. In response to a growing sports community of emerging athletes needing advice or ways to connect and excel in their sport, the Mentorship Program was established. Through ongoing development and coaching, we have discovered young athletes seeking information and input to develop their game. In many cases this can be done with player video review and verbal instruction. Communication is the greatest asset an athlete possesses. We help empower their development through clear and detailed dialogue.
Blake Bolden
Blake possesses all the positive attributes a young athlete requires with regards to mentorship. With a history of athletic success and leadership Diversity Athletic Society will benefit in all areas of development with her guidance as we bring awareness to diversity in sport. A native from Cleveland, Ohio Blake has broken many barriers in achieving many firsts in the sport of Women’s ice hockey. Bolden started at a young age where she played minor youth hockey for the Cleveland Barons and the Ohio Flames. She later went to Northwood School in Lake Placid, NY while also participating in the first U18 World Championship for team USA, winning Gold in both 2008 & 2009 tournaments. Blake then went to Boston College, captaining her senior year, with 3 Frozen Four appearances, earning Hockey East Defensive Player of the Year and All American Honors.
After graduating, she joined the Boston Blades of the CWHL (Canadian Women’s Hockey League), winning the Clarkson cup in 2015. In 2016, she played for the Boston Pride of the NWHL (National Women’s Hockey League) winning the inaugural Isobel Cup.
After two seasons and two All-Star appearances in the NWHL, she recorded 27 points in 20 games with HC Lugano in Switzerland in 2018.
She then returned to the NWHL, playing for the Buffalo Beauts. Representing the Beauts, she reclaimed her hardest shot title in the 2019 NWHL All-Star Skills Competition and was awarded Defensive Player of the Year. Dawned the Jackie Robinson of Women’s hockey, she is the first Black player drafted in the first round of the CWHL and the first ever to compete in the NWHL.
Blake currently resides in Southern California. In 2020, she joined the Los Angeles Kings as their Growth and Inclusion Specialist and Pro Scout, the second women to ever scout in the NHL behind Cami Granato.
She has taken her passion for diversifying the game of hockey using her platform to shed light, share stories, and inspire the next generation.
Seen in features such as Sports Illustrated “The Unrelenting- most powerful, influential and outstanding women in sports”, alongside athletes like Serena Williams, Simone Biles, and Billie Jean King.
Blake aims to make herself visible especially to black and brown youth, dabbling into sports broadcasting with NHL Network, NBC Sports, and Sportsnet as an analyst, because she and so many of her other female colleagues believe, “If you can see it, you can be it.”
Blake loves working with girls all over the country specializing in mental skills, goal setting, and nutrition, using her Blake Bolden Mentorship program, powered by Play-It-Again Sports.
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Todd McMillon
Todd McMillon, MBA is a former American football cornerback, formerly of the Chicago Bears of the NFL who signed out of Northern Arizona University. He also spent three years with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL. In 2001, he played for the Frankfurt Galaxy of NFL Europe and earned NFL Europe All-Pro honors. His first hand experiences and knowledge as a professional athlete benefits Diversity Athletics Society in our initiative to support diversity and inclusion for all in sports.
Todd is well aware of the preparation and commitment required when focusing on the goals to achieve the task set in front of a developing athlete. Clarity, communication and commitment is the foundation for mentorship provided to Diversity Athletics and all of its athletes. With Todd’s input and guidance we are able to uncover the many available options for athletic success.
Todd has play a significant role in coaching and giving back to the community. His three children participate in competitive sport. His daughter Skye is currently an NCAA Division 1 athlete.