Rapids’ Kei Kamara and several other players create Black Players Coalition of MLS

On June 19 (Juneteenth), Colorado Rapids striker Kei Kamara and several other MLS players announced the creation of the Black Players Coalition of MLS (BPCMLS), with a goal to “bring more inclusion across all of MLS. Here to elevate and amplify our Black voices and Black communities.”

According to the website, the organization is the “culmination of tireless work from the black player pool over these past few weeks. We are here to make measurable changes not only in Major League Soccer but also in our communities.

The amount of progress we have made in such a short period of time is both remarkable and encouraging, but just the first step in a long process.”

Kei Kamara has worked against racism for decades and continues his activism as a member of the BPCMLS Executive Board. More than 70 Black players were involved in the creation of the organization, and, in addition to Kamara, the Executive Board includes Ray Gaddis, CJ Sapong, Quincy Amarikwa, Kendall Waston, Jeremy Ebobisse, Sean Johnson, Bill Hamid, Earl Edwards Jr, Jalil Anibaba, Ike Opara, and Justin Morrow.

Major League Soccer expressed its support for the organization.