NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University will host 11-time Olympic medalist, businesswoman, and advocate Allyson Felix on Wednesday, Oct. 28, as part of the nationwide She Runs the World Campus Tour. The event features a TSU Athletics-sponsored luncheon, a free screening of her acclaimed documentary, a live Q&A, and an advocacy forum focused on Black maternal health equity and women’s rights in sports.
The screening will take place in The Forum on the main campus.
As the most decorated American track and field athlete in history, Felix transformed the landscape for female athletes by fighting for maternal protections and equal pay. Today, she is a leading national voice in health equity, an entrepreneur, and is actively training to compete in her sixth Olympic Games at LA28.
“We are excited to welcome Allyson Felix and the She Runs the World Tour to Tennessee State University,” said Jennifer Bell, TSU’s interim director of athletics. “Allyson’s incredible legacy and her commitment to inspiring the next generation make this a meaningful opportunity for our students and our community.”
“The Tigerbelles broke barriers for Black women in sport, and that legacy gave women like me a path. I’m bringing this HBCU tour to Tennessee State to say thank you and to champion these students as they carry it forward, in sport, in motherhood, in business and beyond. Black women in this country are still three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes, and that’s exactly why this conversation can’t wait,” said Felix.
The campus visit holds unique significance for TSU, home to the legendary Tigerbelles track and field program, which produced pioneering female athletes who broke barriers and won dozens of Olympic medals.
“Having Allyson come to Tennessee State is exciting for our student-athletes, especially those who have looked up to her and what she has accomplished in the sport,” said Chandra Cheeseborough, Olympic gold medalist and head track and field coach at TSU. “But this is also Tigerbelle country. The Tigerbelles were pioneers who opened doors for generations of women athletes and established a legacy of Olympic gold, silver, and bronze medals. We’re proud to welcome Allyson to TSU and give her a chance to experience the university that helped make this legacy possible.”
The visit will culminate with the evening screening and campus panel alongside her brother and business partner, Wes Felix.”Bringing the She Runs the World Tour to TSU was a priority for us because our students deserve to learn directly from trailblazers who mirror the excellence of our historic Tigerbelles,” said Shaelan Williams, head of Conferences and Strategic Events. “Allyson Felix’s extraordinary career in track and her powerful advocacy for maternal health equity align perfectly with TSU’s mission to inspire, educate, and empower the next generation of leaders.”
About Tennessee State University
Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public land-grant university offering 41 bachelor’s degrees, 15 graduate certificates, 27 master’s degrees, and nine doctoral degrees. TSU’s campus spans 500 acres. The university is committed to academic excellence, providing students with a quality education in a nurturing and innovative environment that prepares them as alumni to be global leaders. Visit tnstate.edu for more details.
