Sports Illustrated and Empower Onyx are putting the spotlight on the diverse journeys of Black women across sports—from the veteran athletes, to up-and-coming stars, coaches, executives and more—in the series, Elle-evate: 100 Influential Black Women in Sports.
It seems like Dr. Kiki Baker Barnes, athletic director at Dillard University, has always understood the power of intentional leadership, especially for women coming up in sports. Since taking over at the New Orleans–based HBCU in 2006—in the wake of Hurricane Katrina—Barnes has set herself apart as an expert in elevating not just athletic programs, but communities and individual athletes around her as well.