On a cold January afternoon in South Bend, Jada Outlaw stands on a gymnastics mat, the only Black athlete in Riley High School’s brand-new program. She is determined to prove her strength in a sport that doesn’t always center Black athletes the way basketball or track does. Yet, she is not alone in this journey. Four students—each at a different high school, competing in different sports—have become powerful voices in a city where Black history is both a foundation and a guiding compass for the future.
From Elijah King, a standout 1,000-point scorer at Saint Joseph High School, to Jocelyn Jones, one of the best girls soccer players in South Bend, these athletes are continuing a legacy of Black excellence in the Hoosier State. Their achievements are more than individual accomplishments—they are pieces of a broader story shaped by generations of athletes like Entee Shine and Debra Walker-Augurson. These young athletes are carrying on a tradition, even as they forge their own paths.
A city shaped by Black history
South Bend has a population of 103,713 people, and 24.1% of them are Black. That figure is not just a statistic; it's a reflection of the city’s identity, seen in every stoplight, every classroom, and every track and field event. For Adriana Swanson, a senior at Washington High and the 2025 state champion in the 100-meter hurdles, that identity is deeply personal. She knows that much of what the city has built today owes its roots to the Black community.
Swanson is part of a student body of 812 at Washington High, where 59.6% of students are Black or biracial. When she speaks about being Black, it’s not just about identity; it’s about strength. “I love being Black,” she said. I feel like it makes me who I am.” Her words carry weight, not just because she wins races, but because she carries forward a legacy of resilience and pride.
Swanson’s track record is impressive—eight-time NIC, sectional, and regional champion in the 100 and 300-meter hurdles. Her high school career places her among the most accomplished athletes in South Bend history. Still, she knows the demographic will change when she steps onto the campus of Indiana University. There, just 2,016 of 46,442 students are Black. That reality doesn’t scare her. Instead, it fuels her. “Black people aren’t going anywhere,” she said. “Knowing how we got to where we are now is greatly important.”
From past champions to future leaders
Elijah King walks into Saint Joseph High School every day knowing he is part of a small group. Of the 806 students at his school, just 10.3% are Black or biracial. Yet, he feels at home. His sophomore season, with an average of 14 points and 5.1 rebounds per game, has already shown his promise as a standout in the program. He’s not just building a résumé—he’s building a legacy.
King looks up to athletes like Riley’s Blake Wesley and Damezi Anderson Jr., two trailblazers who helped break new ground in the area. “I just want a legacy that can continue down the road,” he said. “So the next Black person that comes in can thrive as much as I did, if not more.” His words reflect a deep awareness of his role in shaping the future for others in the Black community, just as many before him paved the way for his success.
Carrying stories through sport
For Jocelyn Jones, soccer is more than just a sport—it’s a platform. She uses it to honor those who came before her and to give voice to those who can no longer speak for themselves. Her younger sister, Ariana, and the late 1996 Clay graduate Jaraan Cornell are part of the stories she carries. “I’m using my platform to tell African American stories,” she said. “Not just mine.” Her presence on the field is a reminder that history is not just something that happened—it’s something to be remembered and celebrated.
For Outlaw, leading Riley’s first-ever gymnastics team is a groundbreaking moment. She knows that being the first is a powerful statement, and she’s not afraid to wear it. “I want to show that Black people can do anything,” she said. “And we can do it well.” Her determination is not just about making history for herself, but for proving that Black athletes can excel in any sport, no matter how unconventional or overlooked the field may be.