DESOTO — Sports parents, student-athletes and community leaders from across the country will gather in DeSoto this summer for a two-day event focused on the challenges, opportunities and realities of youth, collegiate and professional athletics.
Can We Talk Sports, the national talk show platform created by Karen Reese, announced plans to host a live taping of its sports-focused talk show on Aug. 14, followed by the second annual Sports Moms Conference on Aug. 15 at the DeSoto Recreation Center.
The event will bring together sports moms, sports dads, coaches, athletes, educators, nonprofit leaders and industry professionals for discussions centered on the athlete experience and the families who support them. Topics will include name, image and likeness opportunities, recruiting, mental health, financial literacy, education, leadership, wellness and life after sports.
Organizers say the conference is designed to provide practical resources and create a support network for families navigating the increasingly complex world of athletics.
Among this year’s featured keynote speakers are Salahuddin Elliott-Muhammad, president of the National Football Fathers Player Association and father of former Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott, and Carmen Greenard-Varnum, whose son, Jonathan Greenard, has built a successful professional football career.
Conference organizers said both speakers will offer firsthand perspectives on the sacrifices, challenges and support systems required to guide young athletes from youth sports through college and professional competition.
“This conference is more than an event,” Reese said. “It is an opportunity to educate, empower and connect the families who play such an important role in helping young athletes succeed both on and off the field.”
A new feature this year will be the inclusion of sports fathers during the live talk show taping, expanding the conversation to include the experiences of both parents while continuing to highlight the unique contributions of sports mothers.
The Sports Moms Conference builds on the momentum of its inaugural event, which brought attention to the often-overlooked role mothers play in supporting athletes throughout their development. Organizers say the conference has evolved into a broader platform for addressing family dynamics, personal development and community support within sports culture.
Attendees can expect panel discussions, educational workshops, networking opportunities, vendor exhibits and community engagement activities designed to help parents better understand the athletic journey and prepare their children for success beyond competition.
The event is presented through a partnership between Can We Talk Sports and Can We Play, Inc., a nonprofit focused on educational resources, recreation, wellness programs and family-centered initiatives.
Since its launch in 2018, Can We Talk Sports has featured more than 175 guests and has become a platform for conversations surrounding parenting athletes, youth development, education and the evolving landscape of sports.
Organizers are currently seeking sponsors, vendors, volunteers, speakers and community partners to participate in the August events.
The live taping of Can We Talk Sports will be held Aug. 14 in DeSoto. The Sports Moms Conference is scheduled for Aug. 15 at the DeSoto Recreation Center, 211 E. Pleasant Run Road.
