Ibtihaj Muhammad

Ibtihaj Muhammad transitioned from an Olympic medalist to an author, entrepreneur, and advocate for diverse representation. After becoming a three-time All-American in fencing at Duke University, Ibtihaj Muhammad qualified for her first United States National Fencing Team in 2010, making her the first woman of color on the women’s sabre team. She remained a steadfast member of the national team from 2010 to 2017, during which time she also secured a gold medal at the 2014 World Fencing Championships in the team event. Throughout her illustrious competitive career, Muhammad notably earned the title of two-time National Champion (2009, 2017) and accumulated an impressive 19 World Cup medals.

Muhammad continues to serve as a prominent sports ambassador for the U.S. Department of State’s Empowering Women and Girls Through Sport Initiative, and in 2019, she became a Special Olympics Global Ambassador. Her ongoing advocacy focuses on challenging misconceptions and promoting equality, leading by example both in professional sports and through her public platform.