I’ll never forget the moment I became the first HBCU gymnast in NCAA history.
It was a floor exercise routine, but it was also so much more than that.
The opportunity to compete for Fisk University and make history was a dream I never thought I’d have, and I can’t even begin to describe the emotions I felt that day.
But what really stands out to me is that, in that moment, I wasn’t thinking about how I was breaking barriers in this sport.
I was just thinking about everything I went through to make it to that point.
All the obstacles I had to overcome.
All the adversity I had to push through.
And the fact that, despite it all, I did it.
I was so proud of myself that day, and I still am to this day.
Breaking barriers
While it wasn’t at the forefront of my mind during that routine, I’m so incredibly proud of the fact that I made history as the first HBCU gymnast.
I never would’ve dreamed of that growing up.
When I was a kid, I started doing gymnastics because I used to watch Gabby Douglas competing in gymnastics on TV.
One of my core memories in the sport is staying up late to watch her win the all-around at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
Wherever the sport has taken me, I’ve always wanted to have fun and enjoy the ride.
After competing at Bridgeport and Brockport, I decided to transfer to Fisk University, an HBCU.
Overcoming adversity
Getting to that point wasn’t easy, though.
When I graduated high school in 2020, it was during the height of COVID.
I had to withdraw from my first school, Bridgeport, a little over a month later because it was affecting sports programs all across the country.
It was also affecting my mental health, so I took a gap semester to regroup and figure out what my next steps were going to be.
I initially transferred to Brockport, which was only 30 minutes away from home.
I’m so grateful for Coach Feeney, who had been trying to recruit me since I was 11 years old, for giving me the opportunity to compete at Brockport and have a season in the spring of 2022.
Looking back on it, I think that competing at the D3 level is so undervalued.
Just being a college athlete in general is such an accomplishment, and it took me a while to understand that.
Being in that environment at Brockport really helped me regain my confidence in gymnastics again.
We were undefeated all regular season and finished in second place at nationals, where I medaled for the first time in my debut.
I loved my time at Brockport.
So, when Fisk announced that they were starting a gymnastics team, it was difficult to transfer again.
I didn’t want to lose everything I had accomplished so far, but I knew that competing at a high level at an HBCU would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
It was a leap of faith, but I couldn’t be happier with my decision.
A lasting impact
It’s been a dream come true to be a part of the Fisk gymnastics team.
I’ve been able to break down barriers in the NCAA as the first gymnast to compete in tights for religious beliefs, and the impact I’ve been able to have on girls around the world is what it’s all about for me.
All of the success does not come without its challenges though.
I've dealt with mental health battles that include depression and performance anxiety.
A lot of people don't realize how much your mental health can have a real affect on your physical well-being.
I was able to overcome those challenges, though, with positive affirmations, journaling, and continuing to work on my self-confidence.
I’ll never forget when a young girl reached out to me on Instagram and asked if she could do her Black History Month project on me.
That meant the world to me.
No matter what I do, I know that young girls are watching, and they’re inspired by what we’re doing.
I want to continue to impact these young girls and be a role model for them.
Even when I’m done with gymnastics, I still want to find ways to inspire and encourage the next generation of athletes.
If my journey can motivate them to chase their dreams, then it makes everything worth it.
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▶️ Follow Naimah's journey on her YouTube channel.
📷 Naimah Muhammad and Fisk University
