As part of the 2023 Fall Unity Week, the Atlantic Coast Conference has announced the recipients of the 2023 ACC UNITE Award, which was created to honor individuals affiliated with the league’s member institutions who have made an impact in the areas of racial and social justice. The UNITE Award is an initiative of the ACC’s Committee for Racial and Social Justice (CORE – Champions of Racial Equity) and was developed and approved by its 15 member institutions.
The UNITE Award is presented annually to individuals who:
- Best exemplify ACC CORE’s mission to promote and encourage racial equity and social justice through education, partnerships, engagement and advocacy.
- Have helped create meaningful, lasting change by improving systems, organizational structures, policies, practices and attitudes.
- Have been a pioneer and/or helped pave the way for minorities either at the institution or in the community.
Each school selects two recipients based on the above criteria and determines how best to celebrate their respective selections at campus events throughout the academic year.
We are humbled to once again honor an amazing and inspirational collection of ACC UNITE Award recipients,” said ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips, Ph.D. “This year’s class of honorees deserve to be recognized for their incredible contributions in affecting change by promoting racial equity and social justice. Each of these pioneers are tremendous examples of what can be accomplished when you remain committed to steadfast prioritization of diversity, equity and inclusion. We are proud of CORE’s steadfast efforts with what will remain a prominent conference priority.”
The UNITE Award recipients were recognized as part of a one-hour show on SiriusXM ACC Radio, Channel 371 hosted by Roddy Jones and Dalen Cuff.
2023 UNITE Award Recipients
Boston College: John Austin & Joana Maynard
Clemson: Dr. James E. (Jim) Bostic Jr. & Dr. Rhondda Thomas
Duke: Dr. Kevin White & Marissa Young
Florida State: Angel Gray & Corey Simon
Georgia Tech: Charles Easley & Carla Gilson
Louisville: Wade Houston & Alyssa Murphy
Miami: Dr. Laura Kohn-Wood & Dr. Donald Spivey
North Carolina: Ricky Lanier & Karen Stevenson
NC State: Chavonda Jacobs-Young & Cullen Jones
Notre Dame: JP Abercrumbie & Justin Morrow
Pitt: Ron Idoko & Sheila I. Velez Martinez
Syracuse: Clothilde Ewing & Noah Singlemann
Virginia: Milla Ciprian & Craig Littlepage
Virginia Tech: Kahlil Dover & Jacelyn Lazore
Wake Forest: Dr. Larry Hopkins & Professor Muriel “Beth” Hopkins
JP Abercrumbie serves as the Executive Associate Athletics Director, Culture and Engagement in the athletics department at the University of Notre Dame. In this role, Abercrumbie is responsible for the stewardship of a culture of inclusive excellence throughout Notre Dame Athletics, including but not limited to oversight of organizational culture and diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. Leading various functions of the Athletic Director’s office, Abercrumbie’s role involves facilitating active engagement and relationship building with student-athletes, staff, coaches, campus and industry colleagues, philanthropic and corporate partners, the local community, and alumni. Prior to the start of the 2022-23 academic year, Abercrumbie launched Together Irish (a continuation of the department’s StaND Together campaign) a redefinition of the department’s commitment to social change via education, engagement, and enrichment across various dimensions of humanity.
Recognized as not only an athletics leader but a respected campus and community liaison, Abercrumbie spearheaded the events around the highly successful TSUND weekend when Notre Dame football hosted a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) for the first time, welcoming Tennessee State University to South Bend. Through TSUND, more than fifteen featured events were held on campus exploring the significance of the moment through and beyond the game. Ranging from academic exhibits to student career exploration activities, to cultural exchanges and social gatherings, special in-game elements, and the launch of a ticket initiative for community partners working to address critical needs for vulnerable populations throughout South Bend, TSUND weekend was a collaboration of dozens of campus and community partners guided by Abercrumbie’s vision.
Abercrumbie’s influence in the areas of racial and social justice also includes the advancement of athletics, campus, community, and industry initiatives related to Hispanic and Latino heritage, Indigenous culture, Asian-American/Pacific Islander backgrounds, the international student-athlete experience, gender, sexuality, spirituality, citizenship, and civic engagement. Abercrumbie also spearheads ND recruitment and retention strategies for the advancement of women, people of color, and individuals with diverse abilities.
In 2022, Abercrumbie was recognized by the Black Student-Athlete Summit as an Innovator and Administrator of the Year. Abercrumbie is a serving member of Notre Dame, ACC, NCAA, NFL, Women Leaders in Sports, and MOAA committees.
Justin Morrow is a 2009 Notre Dame alum and former Fighting Irish men’s soccer standout. A team captain and four-time Monogram recipient, Morrow garnered several all-conference honors throughout his collegiate career before being selected as the 28th pick in the 2010 Major League Soccer SuperDraft.
In 2021, Morrow received the MLS WORKS Humanitarian of the Year Award after being a game-changer on the field and in the community during his 12-year MLS career. He was a driving force in launching Black Players for Change, an organization of more than 170 MLS players, coaches, and staff working to bridge the racial equality gap, serving as their Executive Director.
Morrow, for his work with Black Players for Change, was also a featured speaker at the 2023 Black Student-Athlete Summit discussing athlete advocacy, activism, and the fight for social justice.
After retirement from his playing career, Morrow seamlessly transitioned to a management role in Toronto Football Club’s front office. His responsibilities quickly expanded to include leadership for the organization’s DEI activities.
In July of 2023, Morrow joined the USC Race and Equity Center as Head of Sports Programs and Partnerships. In this new role, Morrow leads DEI-focused strategy consultation, leadership coaching, workplace culture and climate assessments, coalition building, and high-quality professional learning experiences for intercollegiate and professional sports organizations. He is also a member of the More Than a Vote coalition and has led efforts to encourage civic engagement and remove barriers to vote as part of non-partisan initiatives to drive voter registration and engagement.