Sports
Joseph and Nahim Attend Black Student-Athlete Summit
Story Links BLACK STUDENT-ATHLETE SUMMIT WEBPAGE SACS INSTAGRAM PAGE VESTAL, N.Y. – In the first weekend of May, junior Samson Joseph and sophomore Marcus Nahim represented Binghamton at the America East Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Durham, New Hampshire. […]

VESTAL, N.Y. – In the first weekend of May, junior Samson Joseph and sophomore Marcus Nahim represented Binghamton at the America East Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Durham, New Hampshire.
Three weeks later, the Bearcat duo was representing Binghamton again. This time, however, it was at the annual Black Student-Athlete Summit in Chicago.
Both Nahim and Joseph are part of the Binghamton Athletic Department’s Student-Athletes of Color for Success (SACS). Over the past few years, the SACS has sent representatives to the Black Student-Athlete Summit. This year, Nahim and Joseph were both motivated to attend the event.
“I was inspired to attend the Black Student-Athlete Summit because I wanted to be in a space where my identity as both a black student and an athlete was not only understood but celebrated,” Joseph said. “Being in a space where I was not only surrounded by people immersed in black excellence and people who have the experience, knowledge and secrets to be successful was what really made it a no-brainer to attend the Black Student Athlete Summit.”
“What inspired me to go to the Black Student-Athlete Summit was seeing others from previous years attend the summit,” Nahim said. “Knowing very little at first of what the summit had to offer, from the small conversations I had with peers that did go, they all said the same thing that it was a great opportunity. As of late, I have been pursuing to grow personally and seeing this opportunity presented to me was a no-brainer to go and receive some knowledge that I may not get from anywhere else.”
For four days (May 21-24), the Black Student-Athlete Summit focused on a variety of topics.
“Some of the key themes emphasized throughout the summit were mental health, leadership development, identity & belonging and career preparation beyond sports,” Joseph said. “There was a strong emphasis on creating pathways to success that honor both academic and athletic excellence. We also talked about the importance of community, mentorship and advocating for equity within athletic departments and institutions. Overall, the themes were very inspiring and empowering.”
Of all of the highlights of the Black Student-Athlete Summit, it was the speakers who made the biggest impact.
“There were a lot of amazing things that I enjoyed at the summit, from the kickback, to the deep talks, and the pro day,” Nahim said. “But out of all of them I found the pro day to be the best. Knowing that those people sharing their knowledge were once in my shoes and were able to find a way to get to where they are motivated me knowing that I have a shot. It drove my passion to succeed to the absolute highest level and for that I was more than happy I chose to go.”
Having returned from the Black Student-Athlete Summit, both Joseph and Nahim are excited to share what they gained with the rest of the SACS.
“What I gained from the summit can directly support the Student Athletes of Color for Success by bringing back resources, insights, and a renewed sense of purpose,” Joseph said. “I learned practical ways to advocate for ourselves, build stronger support networks, and push for more inclusive environments. By sharing these tools with the whole club will be able to empower each other, create a stronger sense of community and make sure every member feels supported both on and off the field.”
“Personally, I believe that there were three things that were brought up at the summit that anyone in the Student Athletes of Color for Success should take away with them,” Nahim said. “One, ‘Be selfish about prioritizing your own needs’ – Joshua Fredenburg. Two, ‘With confidence you have won before it even started, without it you doubled your chances of losing.’ And three, “Perspective can be your passport in your life” – KD Hill. Those three things I believe hit all the important takeaways from the summit that everyone can learn from in order to prosper in this life.”