From left to right, Chinny Nwagbo, Felisha Legette-Jack and Vera Jones, panelists for the “Breaking Barriers and Empowering Women in Sport” discussion Sept. 13 at Falk College.
When Tatiana Warren ’04, G’06, was a student-athlete at Syracuse University, she received support from all corners of campus: her track and field coaches; faculty and staff in the Department of Exercise Science; and her advisors in the Ronald E. McNair Post Baccalaureate Program, which prepares high-achieving undergraduate students for success in graduate/doctoral studies.
Knowing first-hand the benefits of mentorship and allyship in breaking barriers for women in all fields of work, Warren will be spending this year’s Coming Back Together weekend giving back to current students during two signature events at Syracuse University’s Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics.
Coming Back Together (CBT) is a triennial event for Black and Latino alumni to return to campus and celebrate their accomplishments, meet current students and remain connected to Syracuse. For this year’s CBT from Sept. 12-15, Warren will participate in a networking event for current students and moderate a star-studded panel discussion called “Breaking Barriers and Empowering Women in Sport.”
“Having mentors and allies who believe in your potential can make a significant difference in one’s career trajectory,” says Warren, a member of the Falk College Advisory Board. “Additionally, creating inclusive environments where diverse voices are heard and valued is essential for driving systemic change. It’s not just about giving women a seat at the table, but also ensuring they have the support and opportunities to thrive.”
Warren, fellow Falk College Advisory Board members LaTisha Marshall ’98 and Andrea Massop Ramos ’85, MCN, and Sport Management Advisory Council member Jasmine Jordan ’14 worked together to create the Falk networking and panel discussion events.
Warren earned her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Exercise Physiology degrees from Syracuse University and her Ph.D. in public health with a focus on health aspects of physical activity from the University of South Carolina. Affectionately known as “Dr. Tati,” Warren is a distinguished health equity strategist and the founder of Just TATI, a multimedia initiative dedicated to disseminating accurate, evidence-based health information to diverse audiences. Warren consults with health professionals, community leaders, educators and community members to implement and evaluate effective health programs.
During Coming Back Together weekend, Falk College Advisory Board member Tatiana Warren will participate in the networking event and moderate the panel discussion at Falk.
Warren attended CBT for the first time in 2017 and says the weekend “was incredibly nostalgic” for her as she played in the inaugural CBT Celebrity Basketball Classic for former student-athletes.
“I’ve learned that Coming Back Together is a fantastic opportunity to bridge the gap across all generations, especially for Black and Latino communities, and invest in the future Syracuse leaders of tomorrow,” she says.
To that end, Warren, Ramos and other notable Syracuse University alums will participate in a speed networking event with students from 12-12:45 p.m., Friday, Sept. 13, in Room 335 at Falk College. Ramos is a clinical nutritionist, private health chef and entrepreneur who in 2018 founded Healthy FRIENDZ Nutrition to build independence and confidence in youth, students with disabilities and the aging.
Warren says networking is a crucial gateway to establishing and advancing your career, and she has a wealth of knowledge and experience to share after spending nearly two decades specializing in community engagement and improving health in underserved populations.
“My first job opportunity after completing my doctoral degree in healthcare was at a hospital, and it came about because I was a Syracuse University alumna,’’ Warren says. “I remember that interview being effortless; I simply discussed my experiences at Syracuse, highlighting how being a student-athlete and specifically a student-athlete of color laid the foundation for my commitment to community-based work from an equity perspective.”
The panel discussion featuring Syracuse women’s basketball head coach Felisha Legette-Jack ’89, NFL Players Association Director of Player Programs and Engagement Chinny Nwagbo ’05 and award-winning broadcaster Vera Jones ’88, G’91 (all former Syracuse basketball players) will run from 1-1:50 p.m., Sept. 13, in Grant Auditorium at Falk College.
Jones will also be the emcee and announcer for this year’s CBT Celebrity Basketball Classic. “This game is for those who can walk the walk,” says Jones. “I can talk the talk and that’s what I plan to do!”
Warren says the panel topic–Breaking Barries and Empowering Women in Sport–is important to her because she has spent her professional career breaking barriers as often the only woman or person of color serving boards or advisory groups that helped shape the future of health programs for people of color or people from marginalized communities.
“Empowering women in sports is close to my heart; as a former track and field athlete and recipient of the Doris Soladay Award, I understand the unique challenges and triumphs women face in this field,” she says. “This discussion’s theme extends beyond the sports industry as it highlights the broader issues of gender and racial equity, representation and empowerment in all sectors of society.”
In addition to the networking event and panel discussion, Falk is sponsoring a table at the Saturday, Sept. 14, “Shades of Orange Sneaker Ball,” a fundraising and alumni awards gala at the JMA Wireless Dome to support the Our Time Has Come Scholarship. Here’s a complete list of CBT events. Visit the Syracuse University website to register for the program through Saturday, Aug. 31.
Here’s more information about the guests for the Falk College panel discussion:
Head Coach – Syracuse University Women’s Basketball
“Coach Jack,” a Syracuse University alumna with degrees in child and family studies and psychology, returned to lead the Orange basketball program in 2022. With over 30 years of coaching experience, she has guided three Division I programs to 13 winning seasons, nine postseason berths, and six 20-win seasons, amassing a 343-279 record. Legette-Jack is enshrined in several halls of fame, including the Greater Syracuse Hall of Fame, the Syracuse Urban Sports Hall of Fame and the Syracuse University Orange Plus Hall of Fame. In 2021, she became the first female in Syracuse University history to have her No. 33 jersey retired in the JMA Wireless Dome rafters.
Director of Player Programs and Engagement – NFL Players Association
Chinny Nwagbo, a former Syracuse University women’s basketball standout, graduated in 2005 with a degree in biology. She played professional basketball for 11 years in various countries and represented Nigeria in the 2006 World Championship Games. Post-retirement, Nwagbo has built a successful career in the sports industry with roles at the U.S. Department of State, PeacePlayers International, Monumental Sports & Entertainment and more. She now serves as Director of Player Programs and Engagement at the NFLPA, creating resources to help professional athletes succeed beyond their playing careers.
President. Vera’s VoiceWorks, LLC
Adjunct Professor of Public Speaking, University of North Florida
Vera Jones is a motivational speaker, communication coach, author and award-winning broadcaster. She has over 30 years of experience as a women’s basketball analyst and reporter for ESPN, Fox Sports and NBA-TV. Vera hosts the women’s basketball show “Certified Unscripted” and the motivational podcast “Perseverance Live.” She holds a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism and a master’s degree in television, radio, and film from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications.
