EVERYDAY THAT YOU PLAY OR COMPETE, YOUR BEST EFFORT IS
UNMATCHED.
Our Mission
Unmatched Athlete is a Maryland-based non-profit that encourages youth who identify as LGBTQ+ and allies ages 5-18 to participate in sports and fitness.
Our aim is for youths who participate in our organization to have fun and apply ALL of the skills they learn into their everyday life as they become instrumental members of the LGBTQ+ community and beyond.
Our Vision
Unmatched organizes a variety of sports and fitness activities for youths to play and have fun! As we grow, we aim to have a seasonal calendar that features leagues, tournaments, and after-school activities for LGBTQ+ and allied youth. Our long-term goal is to fund stipends and scholarships for LGBTQ+ student athletes on the path to college, especially for our LGBTQ+ Black youth.
Objectives + Values
Objectives
The objectives and purpose of Unmatched Athlete are to:
Encourage youth who identify as LGBTQ+ to explore their athletic creativity and become well-versed student athletes that excel beyond their time in school.
Organize weekend and seasonal games to create a safe space for youth who identify as LGBTQ+ and for allies to play and have fun.
Feature tournaments, after-school fitness, and other social outings such as field trips, sporting events and alike.
Actively promote academic excellence alongside sports and fitness.
Fund stipends and scholarships for a path to collegiate sports, especially for Black (African-American) LGBTQ+ youth.
Advocate for LGBTQ+ visibility by modeling civic engagement within communities.
Values
We want all Unmatched Youths to be A.C.T.I.V.E.
Assertive. Never feel you have to compromise being your authentic self on or off the field
Creative. Always remember to have fun
Team Player. Whether playing on a team or single sport, be willing to work with others
Innovative. Don’t be afraid to be unconventional: try new things
Visible. Consistently put yourself out there: If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again
Educated. Know your rights, history, and be open to listening
Meet the team
SCroll down for Bios
Olanrele Oni, Founder + President
Justin Fair, Vice-President
Douglas Nivens II, Secretary
Tramour Wilson, Boardmember
Richard Remy, Treasurer
Kayani Turner, Volunteer Manager (Central)
Ashley David, Boardmember
Heather Kohlhepp, Boardmember
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We want to give a big shout-out to our awesome board members for their time and guidance! Check out their bios by clicking on their names below. If you'd like to reach out, just shoot us an e-mail to our central inbox. Browse an organization chart here.
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Olanrele Oni (He/Him) was born in Akron Ohio (Go LeBron!) and moved to Nigeria when he was a toddler. At 15 years old, he came back to the United States in 2000 and has lived in the Baltimore area for over 15 years Olanrele has an extensive background in human and social services, assisting low-income Marylanders to receive medical, food, and labor benefits to help families. He earned his BA in Political Science with a minor in Sociology at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC). Olanrele has a passion for all things sports because he enjoys the social, physical and mental benefits it can provide. As President and Founder of Unmatched Athlete, Olanrele wants to do his part in changing the toxic narrative that still exists in sports regarding LGBTQ+ people, especially black trans athletes. "We want to be a space where LGBTQ+ youth and allies, regardless of their experience, can enjoy all the benefits sports can offer towards the development of any youth. We also want to be an organization that supports LGBTQ+ student athletes towards taking a path to compete collegiately and professionally across all sports." Naturally, Olanrele is a politics and diplomacy policy-wonk and a lover of all things debate. In his free time, he enjoys playing and watching sports (and could use a tennis lesson from Serena Williams).
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Justin Fair (he/him) is Vice-President of Unmatched Athlete. He is a Baltimore native who works by day with the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development in the rural counties-small cities program. He is an urban planner and artist by trade, and is a self-proclaimed know-it-all who immediately files everything away, including where he put his glasses. By night, he dreams of becoming a bodyweight warrior, and is honored to serve on several non-profit boards across Baltimore; including JPride Baltimore, the Jewish Museum of Maryland, and he recently completed his term on the board of the MissionFit youth gym. Justin is passionate to weave his interests of community development, fitness, and the arts; with being mindful and building family. 💼
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Heather has always been a sports fan and has played on various leagues since she was a child. She regularly participates in queer sports leagues in Baltimore. From learning to play with other and finding community, sports have made a huge impact on her life. She has experience in different sports and would love to pass some of that knowledge on to the younger generation! She serves with Team Smile, an organization that partners with professional sports organizations to offer free dental care to children. 💼
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Ashley is the Senior Swim Director at The Dancel Y in Ellicott City. She has been with the Y since 2016. While at the Y she has worked with youth through aquatics programs and various other youth volunteer opportunities. She has provided mentorship for youth through lifeguard training for job opportunities and continued professional growth. Ashley obtained a degree in leadership in Physical Activity with specialty areas of aquatics and adapted. Throughout college she worked with many youth of all diversabilities by integrating movement into daily activities. Ashley has a passion for sports and has played numerous sports her whole life. In recent years, she has become a triathlete, completing multiple triathlons. Ashley is extremely excited to share her love and passion for sports, recreation, and fitness with youth so they can thrive! 💼
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Tramour Wilson is Senior Director at the Pride Center of Maryland. With a 10+ year background in Public health, Nonprofit Development, and Social Work. He received his degree of certification from The University of Hawaii, Juniata College, and is currently on track to earn his PHD. Tramour is a social justice advocate, professional public speaker, and has a background in strategic planning and capacity building for organizations throughout the U.S. With an esteemed background in cultural competency Tramour has led protests geared to LGBTQ inclusion, public health issues, systematic racism, and police brutality. He is the founder of two non profits in Baltimore geared to elevating Black and African American folks throughout the city of Baltimore by empowering them to become the best version of themselves while building generational wealth. Tramour’s esteem goal in life is to empower minority communities and to enact legacy building. 💼
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Absolutely thrilled to be joining Unmatched Athlete, first as a volunteer and now stepping up as the board Treasurer! I attended the Union Pride Collective last year and had a blast. It was the most fun I have had in a while. There is something for everyone such as rock climbing for the family, a story time to learn about other people's experiences and a Drag Show. Absolutely Fabulous!
By day, I’m a forensic Quality Assurance Manager, and I’ve also been serving as the elected Treasurer for the Association of Forensic QA Managers for the past four years. In this role, I manage liquid assets ranging from $70,000 to $200,000 annually, oversee membership dues, conference registrations, vendor sponsorships, and handle all the association’s financials, from QuickBooks to filing taxes. Now, I'm excited to bring my experience to Unmatched Athlete and help drive our mission forward! 💼
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An ongoing thanks to our volunteer coordinators! Learn more about each individual below. Interested in contacting someone? Please e-mail our central inbox. Looking to volunteer? Add your name to our volunteer pool, complete a background check, then sign up at a date that works for you!
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Term began Spring 2023 💼
The Volunteer Managers are volunteer positions, who are responsible for exciting, engaging, and acclimating curious volunteers. Throughout the year and ahead of events, the Volunteering Coordinator welcomes adults aged 18 and older, to learn about the organization and to assist coaches and team members at events. The overall goal is to empower volunteers who care deeply about our mission and want to create a network to really engage our followers in LGBTQ+ sports programming and advocacy.
The volunteer manager positions are currently divided between handling events in the central area and capital area, central being Baltimore City, Baltimore and Howard County; and Capital being Prince George’s and Montgomery County. The Volunteer Manager will work frequently and collaboratively with the rest of the executive team.
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We’re looking to grow our team!
1) We’re seeking Events Coordinators who will help in running events + working with volunteers. We also have 1 opening for Baltimore area+ Howard County (central region) and 2 openings for Prince George’s + Montgomery County (capital region).
2) We’re seeking a Communications Manager who will prepare and manage all communication materials; and manage digital, video, audio and print content.
3) We're seeking a Marketing Manager to coordinate social media, advertising and outreach.
Interested? Please email your résumé and complete the survey here.
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Add your name to our volunteer pool, complete a background check, then sign up at a date that works for you! Click here.
Resources
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Updates/Blog
Browse updates from the Unmatched Athlete blog! For older posts, visit our news archive.
Annual Report
Read up on last annual report! We have continued to be an organization that strives to create spaces that are safe, supportive and fun for all of our LGBTQ+ athletes: youth, allies, and families.
Press on Unmatched Athlete
Our team is grateful to have been featured in some awesome local publications! From podcasts, to promo videos, to articles describing Unmatched’s mission and events, you are invited to browse our press room here.
Reading Resource Library
Browse Studies and Articles on Coaching and LGBTQ+ Sports
Meet our Partners
Join our Newsletter
Read Press and News
Partners
Meet our sponsors, community partners (non-profit organizations and business leaders) and volunteers!