Charter Oak Advisory | Black Players for Change

Who
Black Players for Change (BPC) is a nonprofit consisting of Black players, coaches and staff from Major League Soccer working to promote equity and representation in soccer and society.
What
We have worked with BPC’s Board and Executive Director since it was founded in 2020, supporting across a range of strategic and operational priorities including:
- Drafting bylaws, Board policies, and initial org plan in 2020
- Providing ongoing executive guidance to BPC’s Executive Director and Board from 2020-22
- Managing the Executive Director hiring process in 2022-23
- Developing BPC’s new 3-year strategic plan in 2024
Why
Support current professional athletes to build a more equitable and representative sports ecosystem across North America.
The value add
Our work with BPC has helped the organization:
- Maintain an engaged and committed player membership base
- Implement impactful and consistent community-based programs
- Build a strong and diverse supporter base
- Drive inclusive policy change at the MLS and beyond
- Establish a growing presence in the sports for development ecosystem

Ongoing executive guidance.
Program implementation and management, especially in BPC’s youth access and member engagement programmatic pillars.
Fundraising support, including identifying prospects, developing pitch materials, delivering connections and guiding BPC leadership through cultivation and solicitation.
Direct oversight of program monitoring and evaluation

Created safe spaces for thousands of children to play by building 20+ mini pitches in low-income communities.
Effectively lobbied for inclusive policy change at Major League Soccer, institutionalizing a commitment to equity and inclusion at the professional level of North American soccer.
Provided dozens of current and former MLS players with a vehicle to drive change in their communities – as well as training to engage in their own individual impact work.