Tennessee-based HBCU Fisk University recently held its first gymnastics practice in over a century, and Black girls took center stage.
Fisk had its first gymnastics practice in 156 years, and the momentous occasion was captured on video. The viral video, which was uploaded to TikTok by user @Zyiaalexys, featured a plethora of Black girls flexing their skills at the campus gym. The girls practiced backflips and front flips on balance beams, running, and stretching.
“First HBCU gymnastics team!! Let’s get it! [heart emojis]. #trending #viral #fypシ #gymnastics #fiskuniversity,” @Zyiaalexys wrote in the video’s caption.
@zyiaalexys first hbcu gymnastics team!! lets get it!💙💛. #trending #viral #fypシ #gymnastics #fiskuniversity
The minute-long TikTok clip has accumulated over 188,000 likes, more than 5,600 comments and over 3,400 overnight.
Naturally, it made rounds on other social media platforms, including Twitter. Much to Black users’ delight, they saw the video and expressed how excited they were about seeing so many Black girls doing gymnastics at an HBCU.
“Fisk University just created the first HBCU college gymnastics team. That’s huge!!” @__carlisa tweeted.
Fisk University just created the first HBCU college gymnastics team that’s huge!!
— carlisa simone (@__carlisa) August 9, 2022
“I don’t think y’all understand how excited I am to see the Fisk gymnastics team compete like that’s is so cool to me,” @daylonjayy wrote.
I don’t think y’all understand how excited I am to see the Fisk gymnastics team compete like that’s is so cool to me
— DAYTRANADA (@daylonjayy) August 9, 2022
“I’m so happy for the FIRST HBCU gymnastics team at Fisk University I will literally be yall biggest fan,” @brandybroxton said.
I’m so happy for the FIRST HBCU gymnastics team at Fisk University 🤍🤍🤍🤍🥳🥳🥳 I will literally be yall biggest fan
— bran🫶🏾 (@brandybroxton) August 10, 2022
“Fisk starting a gymnastics program & being the first HBCU to do it just makes my heart so happy,” @klawdbykendra wrote.
Fisk starting a gymnastics program & being the first HBCU to do it, just makes my heart so happy.
— KEN (@klawdbykendra) August 10, 2022
In February, Fisk announced that it’d launch the first HBCU Intercollegiate Women’s Artistic Gymnastic Team. They made the official announcement via the university’s official website.
“Woman’s gymnastics exemplifies the values of Fisk University: determination, excellence, and a commitment to a more just and equitable future,” the website indicated. “These values have consistently been at the forefront of [it], and Fisk could not be more excited to welcome these remarkable student-athletes to the campus starting this coming fall.”
