To her players who affectionately called her “Coach B,” Beulah Osueke was more than just a mentor on the basketball court. She wore many hats – a parental figure to some, an older sister to others. She was often their financial support and invariably, their disciplinarian. Osueke, now 35, adapted to the needs of the West Catholic Prep girls’ basketball players in Philadelphia, drawing her closer to their world of challenges and struggles.
Her coaching journey opened her eyes to the significant injustices faced by many, particularly within the Black community, as she observed how these disparities hampered the pursuit of dreams among her young athletes. During her eight years at West Catholic, Osueke transformed the Lady Burrs into a formidable team, clinching six district championships and securing the school’s inaugural basketball state title in 2021. Yet, her most significant achievement, she believes, was instilling self-worth and resilience in her players against discrimination.
This grassroots empowerment through sports, according to Ketra Armstrong, a sports management professor at the University of Michigan, is crucial, especially against the backdrop of recent political actions dismantling diversity initiatives. Armstrong highlighted the necessity for community activists like Osueke to champion equity and opportunity amidst systemic cuts to resources. “We need a revolution of Beulahs,” she stated, emphasizing the urgency for such dedicated leaders.
When Osueke began coaching at West Catholic in 2013, she set about creating a disciplined and structured environment, filling a void she immediately perceived. Initially misjudging the students’ attitudes, Osueke, who grew up comfortably in Houston, empathized with her players as she built personal connections with them. Her educational background in clinical psychology helped her recognize a larger systemic issue where Black students often endure harsher school discipline.
Having experienced hardships in college without an advocate, Osueke was driven to create a nurturing program that communicated the girls’ worth and potential, acknowledging the personal challenges they navigated. Her approach began with instilling fundamentals like punctuality, dress codes, and behavioral standards, both in school and at home. She ran fundraisers and crafted team merchandise to support players’ athletic expenses.
Despite a challenging start with a winless first season, improvements followed with West Catholic earning five victories the next year. Under Osueke’s leadership, players flourished. Tamiah Robinson, a former player and current University of Louisiana guard, credits Osueke for teaching her accountability and prioritization, learning that personal responsibilities come before basketball.
Osueke’s method epitomized using sports as a vehicle for life skills, preparing her athletes not just to win games but to triumph in life. She became an exemplar in leading through adversity, notably after one of her players, Akyra Murray, tragically lost her life in the Pulse nightclub shooting in 2016. Osueke’s response was sensitive and supportive, providing psychological support to help her players cope with profound grief.
These experiences deepened her understanding of her players’ realities and invigorated her resolve to empower them. Osueke introduced mental health check-ins and extended support, like grocery assistance, to further nurture their potential.
With these holistic strategies, the team reached unprecedented heights, capturing a Philadelphia Catholic League title in 2020, and gaining statewide recognition with a Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association Class 3A state championship in 2021—the school’s first.
Osueke’s advocacy for fairness extended beyond internal team dynamics to external challenges. She schooled her players in resilience against biased refereeing, ensuring they faced adversity with dignity. Through practice drills that mimicked unfair situations, she reinforced perseverance and focus, principles her players carry with them beyond basketball.
After resigning from full-time coaching in 2021, Osueke continued her community impact through executive leadership at New Voices for Reproductive Justice, alongside projects enlightening coaches about the intricate factors influencing student-athletes. Her advocacy remains steadfast as she leverages the universal platform of sports to cultivate the next generation of leaders, emphasizing that athletic endeavors should transcend beyond the court to plant seeds for future societal impact.
