Women’s soccer pioneer Briana Scurry named 2023 ‘Building the Dream’ speaker

Wake Forest University is honored to announce that Briana Scurry will be the 2023 “Building the Dream” keynote speaker on the evening of Jan. 16, 2023. Scurry is an author, television broadcaster, mental health advocate and women’s soccer pioneer.

Scurry was the first Black, openly gay starting goalkeeper on the U.S. Women’s National Team that won the 1999 Women’s World Cup. She was also the goalkeeper on two U.S. Olympic Gold Medal Teams in 1996 and 2004.

“Winston-Salem State University and Wake Forest have collaborated for 22 years on the “Building The Dream” keynote speaker program, and our institutions are humbled by Ms. Scurry’s willingness to speak to students, faculty, and staff on this special occasion,” said José Villalba, vice president, diversity and inclusion and chief diversity officer.

In June 2022, Scurry published her memoir My Greatest Save: The Brave, Barrier-Breaking Journey of a World Champion Goalkeeper. And in July 2022, Paramount Plus released the documentary, “The Only,” which elevates Scurry’s experiences as a talented, tenacious and barrier-defying goalkeeper.

To prepare for Briana Scurry’s visit, the University is offering the following opportunities.

• LGBTQ+ History in Sports
  Oct. 25,  7:30 p.m. in Benson 410
  The LGBTQ+ Center and Christian Athlete Circle (“a proudly LGBTQ+ affirming organization”) will host this event as part of Queer History Month 2022. The program will offer an interactive and fun opportunity for student-athletes, sports enthusiasts and all who are interested in learning about LGBTQ+ athletes who have shaped past and present sports and inclusion efforts.
• “The Only” documentary screening
  Nov. 2 at 6 p.m. in Annenberg Auditorium
  The Women’s Center will host a screening of “The Only” The documentary film chronicles Briana Scurry’s incredible and trailblazing professional soccer career. Stop by for the film and food, and stay for a talk-back about race, gender, mental health and sport.
• “My Greatest Save: The Brave, Barrier-Breaking Journey of a World Champion Goalkeeper”
  Winter Break Read Program Dec. 5 – 9 and Jan. 12
  The Intercultural Center (located in Benson 346) will provide copies of Briana Scurry’s autobiography, “My Greatest Save: The Brave, Barrier-Breaking Journey of a World Champion Goalkeeper,” the week of December 5. On Jan. 12 at noon, the Intercultural Center will sponsor a Community Reading event in Benson 346. A limited number of book copies are available.

For updates and information on the Building the Dream event and related programming, visit diversity.wfu.edu or email diversity@wfu.edu.