Message to the Black Athlete: Faith, Family, and Freedom Through Sport

Author: Dr. David C. Hughes

ISBN: 979-8-9931755-0-8

About the book: 

Message to the Black Athlete: Reclaiming Faith, Family, and Freedom Through Sport is a powerful call to action for athletes, coaches, and communities who believe sports can be more than entertainment. Dr. David C. Hughes—professor, pastoral leader, and advocate for athlete empowerment—unpacks the spiritual, cultural, and social journey of Black athletes in America.

This book challenges readers to look beyond the scoreboard and consider how faith, family, and freedom can shape the future of athletics. Drawing from history, personal experience, and cutting-edge research, Hughes examines how Black athletes have been commodified, celebrated, and resisted—and how reclaiming their God-given purpose can transform lives, institutions, and entire communities. 

Whether you are an athlete searching for direction, a coach striving to mentor with integrity, or a reader interested in the intersection of race, sports, and spirituality, this book offers a roadmap toward leadership, wholeness, and legacy. 

For those who believe sports can be a platform for justice, faith, and true freedom, Message to the Black Athlete is essential reading.

“Where faith meets sports—transforming the lives of Black athletes and the communities they serve.” 

About the author:

Dr. David C. Hughes is a Certified Pastoral Candidate within the United Methodist Church, a Sports Industry Management (SIM) Advisor at Georgetown University, and an Associate Professor of Sport Management at Gordon College. He is the Immediate Past President and current board member of The Drake Group, a national nonprofit educating U.S. Congress and higher education leaders on critical issues in intercollegiate athletics.

A devoted single father, David’s greatest joy is raising his two children, Chandler and Camille, who continue to inspire his work. His son, Chandler, has been featured in Essence, The Jennifer Hudson Show, NBC News, and a Dr. Phil Primetime episode for his acceptance into Mensa at the age of six.

In 2023, David contributed the book chapter Black Men, STEM, and Erasing the Digital Divide to Diversity and Inclusion in the eSports Industry (Lexington Books). In 2022, U.S. Black Engineer Magazine named him a “Leader in the Metaverse” for his work creating the Give Black App, a social impact fintech platform that connects donors with Black-led nonprofits and businesses to strengthen communities.

While on faculty at Hampton University, David secured a $340,000 technology grant to launch the first HBCU eSports initiative. He has also been a pre-doctoral fellow at the University of Pennsylvania, a Scientia Foundation Fellow at Rice University, and a Social Justice Memorial Foundation Fellow. He holds degrees from Morehouse College and Prairie View A&M University.

His career includes work with the Houston Texans, the University of Texas, and ESPN. He has co-chaired the Atlanta NAACP Educational Committee, published the children’s book Benny Becomes an Architect, and been recognized as an Emerging Scholar by AERA. He currently serves as Diversity Chair of the North American Society of Sport Management and has been honored as a 30 Under 30 by HBCU Buzz, a 40 Under 40 recipient by PVAMU, and a Next Generation Leader by the NAACP. David is also a proud member of Forbes BLK, 100 Black Men, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.