Akil Patterson

Akil Sadiki Patterson (born January 1, 1983) attended Frederick High School, Maryland, where he was an All-State Athlete in Football, Wrestling, and Track & Field as a shot-putter. At the California University of Pennsylvania he was a two time Division-II All American. In 2006, he graduated with a B.S. in Sports Management.[1][2][3]

Akil Patterson
Born (1983-01-01) January 1, 1983
Buffalo, New York
EducationUniversity of Maryland, College Park & California University of Pennsylvania
OccupationYouth Programs Coordinator, Athlete Ally & Community Organizer, Sugar Free Kids

Post-graduation

Patterson came from a wrestling family, and he wanted to try his hand at the sport once he graduated from college. As a former all-state heavyweight wrestler, Patterson began training as a Greco-Roman wrestler and joined the Terrapins wrestling team at the University of Maryland as a volunteer coach. He went on to lead the Terrapin Wrestling Club, which trains young athletes. He is also a four time Greco-Roman wrestling All-American, and a four time World Team Trials Qualifier.

LGBT advocacy

As the community affairs coordinator at Athlete Ally, Patterson works with corporate partners, need based organizations, local organizations, campus programs and youth programs to coordinate their anti-discrimination initiatives. According to Doug Sanbourn, who serves as manager, community, commerce and partnership coordinator at MillerCoors, they chose to work to Mr. Patterson "because of the work he has taken on as a leader. He embodies what we should all be doing to secure equality everywhere." Athlete Ally also provides training and outreach for collegiate and professional teams in addition to the NBA Draft Combine individual professional teams, and campus athletic departments. Athlete Ally actively reaches players, coaches, administration, and staff throughout sports in North America.[4][5][6][7]

As a blogger for The Huffington Post, Patterson spreads the message of equality and allyship. In addition, he gives his interns and athletes a platform to share their stories in Huffington Post Voice-to-Voice Interviews.

Professional recognition

Patterson has been featured in The Advocate's 40 under 40 issue. In addition, he has been featured in news media such as The Baltimore Sun, The Huffington Post, and The Washington Post.[8]

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References
  1. "Making sports gay-friendly for athletes". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
  2. "My double life as a gay athlete – Akil Patterson – LGBT Sports Issue". Washington Blade: Gay News, Politics, LGBT Rights. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
  3. Baltimore Sun (July 9, 2011). "Gay athlete: After coming out, former Maryland player feels he has a second chance – Baltimore Sun". baltimoresun.com. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
  4. "Voice To Voice: Akil Patterson And D'Qwell Jackson Discuss Being An LGBT Ally". The Huffington Post. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
  5. "Voice To Voice: Kevin Anderson And Akil Patterson". The Huffington Post. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
  6. "Akil Patterson". You Can Play. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
  7. "Forty Under 40: Part Two". The Advocate. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
  8. Freeman, Mike (April 23, 2015). "NFL Draft: How Wade Davis and Others Paved the Way for Michael Sam". Bleacher Report. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
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