Race Against … Against Race

“Delves into the highs and lows of . . . a talented, young Black football athlete and first-generation college student, navigating identity and race.” —Dennis Kennedy, founder and chairman of National Diversity Council

Race Against . . . Against Race is the story of one young man’s dream of playing college football and the social development that unfolded as he tried to fit in on a predominantly white campus. He slowly integrates into his new environment by staying positive, being himself and focusing on shared experiences with his teammates and classmates.

Within this book, Bo-Dean paints a picture of a student athletes’ campus life in the ’80s and aims to examine the issues of race through his participation in college sports. Throughout his time as a student athlete, he discovers that he and his teammates learn from each other on and off the field by having the race conversation to develop and grow their relationships based on the foundation of sports, mutual respect, and acceptance.

“Sanders tells a riveting story of pushing himself to reach the goal that he thought mattered most—becoming a collegiate and professional football player. It is a gripping tale of growing up under the weightiness of segregation and poverty in the South and leaving home to go north to start life on his terms.” —Allener M. Baker-Rogers, EdD, coauthor of They Carried Us

“He provides a unique perspective on building relationships with teammates and classmates from different socio-economic backgrounds and races by reaching out, talking, and listening. In his first-ever book, Sanders explores how diversity and inclusion in sports and multiculturalism impacted his personal relationships in college.” —Delco Times