WNBA Legend Swin Cash Hosts ‘She’s Got Time’ Summit for Women in Sports

WNBA Legend Swin Cash hosts “She’s Got Time” Summit.

© 2023 Miss Ari Photography

Just like in our everyday world, there are so many women in sports left to feel that our voices are unheard.

Insert WNBA Legend and NBA Executive Swin Cash.

Last week, nearly 300 women from around the country converged on the ever-so-lively City of New Orleans for the first ever She’s Got Time: Women in Sports Summit, hosted by Cash.

There is no denying the effectiveness of both assertive and knowledgeable women coming together for a common purpose, but how do we shift women from a place of gratefulness to a space of expectancy?

That is the question that would be answered time and time again during the summit. Female applicants are oftentimes more qualified than male applicants but will spend so much time focusing on the boxes we don’t check. Men on the other hand will meet one piece of criteria and feel entitled to the position.

To have someone like Swin Cash host a summit intended to remind women of our prowess, progress and unyielding potential speaks volumes of her dedication to growing the industry.

For 15 years, Cash was one of the more notable names in the WNBA. Today, she is Vice President of Basketball Operations and Team Development for the New Orleans Pelicans. Before either role, Cash was a member of a historic University of Connecticut (UConn) Championship Team.

Joining Cash onstage, during the first day of the summit were three of her UConn teammates: Asjha Jones, Sue Bird and Tamika Williams-Jeter – all accomplished advocates for women and professional players in their own right.  

Tamika Williams-Jeter, Asjha Jones, Sue Bird and Swin Cash - UConn teammates discuss the sports world with “She’s Got Time” attendees.

© 2023 Miss Ari Photography

These ladies used their panel: Honoring the Past, Treasuring the Present and Shaping the Future to share both highlights of a winning culture and to shed light on their collective triumphs over discrimination and racism.

It was after winning an awe-inspiring national championship, that the women were referenced as the “Gold Dust Triplets” by an ignorant and uninformed commentator. Navigating racial epithets during what should’ve been a completely celebratory time made the ladies even more resilient and strengthened their relationship as a group.

The group of women, all highly recognizable in their respective positions in the sports world – shared how competitive the industry is and how women are oftentimes an afterthought when it comes to advancement.

“I shouldn’t have to zig zag to get there if he doesn’t have to zig zag to get there,” Jones shared with the audience on men arriving at roles differently than women “Give me access to the opportunity and let me work.”

The breakout sessions during the summit were consistent proof that Swin Cash is an important figure in the sports world - because her panelists showed up and showed out. Day one session topics included: Navigating the Digital Landscape: Media Production Strategies, Winning Strategies: Building and Sustaining Successful Sports Teams and Investing in Social Change: The Role of Corporate Philanthropy and Innovative Minds.  

These sessions were conducted by the likes of ESPN Analyst LaChina Robinson; Vice President of Digital Production and Branded Content - Shaneika Dabney -Henderson; Chief Executive Officer of ‘Multiplying Good’ and Olympic Gold Medalist - Benita Fitzgerald Mosely; Vice President of Lifestyle Services and Social Impact for the Oklahoma City Thunder - Ayana Lawson: Vice President of Team Operations & Organizational Growth - Allison Feaster and so many more credible women in sports.  

Meka White Morris is the Executive Vice President of the Minnesota Twins, and she was the absolute highlight of the “Overcoming Obstacles: Triumphs and Challenges of Women in High-Ranking Roles” session. Standing at about 5’5” and exuding every essence of Black Girl Magic, Morris is confident, poised and beyond qualified for her very high-ranking position.

“There is no one like me in baseball,” shared Morris. “So, this is where I need to be. The first time I really had a woman advocate for me - I was already 10 years into my career. When you look at that you can either choose to be bitter or to be better. You’ve got to pull while you climb and if you aren’t lifting others up, you’re not doing it the right way.”

Throughout the summit, Cash was very intentional about covering all sports world dynamics. There were sessions on “content creation” and “diversity at the table.” There was even a session on “Career Transitions,” which was incredibly helpful for the many attendees who find themselves pursuing careers in sports after years in education, law, and medicine among other things.

Teresa Weatherspoon is one of the WNBA’s founding players. From the “She’s Got Time” stage, “TSpoon,” as the world affectionately regards her – shared intimate insight about surviving situations that are meant to break you.

“None of our voices speak the same octave,” Weatherspoon insisted. “So, diversity is a blend. It’s a partnership. The chemistry of diversity is what makes things successful and sustainable. If we could remember those things, it wouldn’t make it so hard when we step out there as a female on the floor because our voice matters. It speaks volumes. There are things we can do that most men cannot. Nurturing comes from us.”

“Unleashing Potential: The Hidden Benefits of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion” was indeed a crowd favorite amongst the sessions. On this panel were Darvelle Hutchins – Vice President, Equity & Impact for the New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans; Modupe’ Congleton - Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Amazon Stores; Tiara Chesmer-Williams - Vice President, Head of Inclusion, Diversity & Equity for Moët Hennessy and Corey Smith - Head of Diversity & Inclusion, North America at LVMH.

Tiara Chesmer-William, Corey Smith, Modupe’ Congleton and Darvelle Hutchins speak to the “She’s Got Time” audience.

© 2023 Miss Ari Photography

These four individuals work for companies that amass billions. Their collective message to audience members was very direct: Embrace your difference.

“People confuse equity with equality,” shared Smith, as he explained how for so long, he would hide his tattooed arms in the corporate setting. 

The Supreme Court overturned Affirmative Action during the summit. How timely were the words of one of the summit’s final speakers?

Effective Communication Coach - Denise Thomas shares her knowledge with the “She’s Got Time” audience.

© 2023 Miss Ari Photography

Denise Thomas is known as “The Effective Communication Coach.” She addressed the summit audience twice and simply wowed listeners each time.

“You’ve got to stop wasting your time and energy trying to convince people who are committed to misunderstanding you,” Thomas pleaded with the crowd. “Your narrative is more important than ever before - be intentional when choosing words. You must be complete with how you are going to communicate – even when those days are not sunny. Even when the rooms are filled with people who don’t look like us.”

Women have gained so much visibility in sports over the last few decades, but there is still so much work to do.

One thing proven true by this summit – people can connect with people who are real and approachable.

Swin Cash and her team helped attendees leave New Orleans with an elevated mindset. No more thinking “there is no room for me,” but instead “If I don’t have a lane, how do I create a lane?”