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When Chris Broussard sits down with Dr. Steve Perry, the conversation quickly moves beyond sports statistics to the deeper currents of faith, identity, and purpose. Broussard's journey from Cleveland to Oberlin College reveals the powerful influence of representation – his decision to attend hinged on the discovery that the basketball coach was Black, leading him to a school with a remarkable history as the first American institution to accept African Americans.

The heart of their exchange centers on Broussard's spiritual awakening during his senior year of college. Despite having everything a young man could want – basketball captaincy, a girlfriend, and a promising sports writing job waiting after graduation – Broussard describes an emptiness that led to his faith commitment on his 21st birthday. This transformation didn't diminish his Black consciousness but rather deepened it, connecting him to the rich history of African Christianity that predates America by centuries.

Perry and Broussard tackle the complex ecosystem surrounding professional Black athletes with unflinching honesty. They identify a troubling pattern where young men with extraordinary talent become isolated from authentic mentorship, surrounded instead by childhood friends who may lack guidance themselves or business associates primarily interested in profit. The conversation explores how stars like LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Jalen Brown navigate these waters, with some creating models for leveraging their platforms to uplift communities.

Most compelling is their vision for what could be possible if athletes could unite beyond performative meetings toward sustained action. As Broussard notes, "We need to be building constantly, even in peacetime," pointing to the untapped potential of Black athletic influence in American society. Their conversation stands as both critique and hopeful blueprint for how success in sports might translate to meaningful change for communities that have produced so many of our cultural icons.

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