An electrifying energy swept across Howard University's campus when Allyson Felix, the most decorated American Olympic track and field athlete in history, visited The Mecca for the first time. The University’s Division of Student Affairs brought Felix to campus as part of the “She Runs the World” tour’s special HBCU campus series that included a screening of her biographical documentary of the same name.

It feels great to be at Howard. I’ve heard about Howard all my life, and this is my first time actually being on campus. I have been so welcomed, and I am really happy to be here,” said Felix.

Beyond the Finish Line: Service and Impact

Felix, who holds 11 Olympic medals — the most won by a U.S. track athlete— became a maternal health advocate after experiencing complications and discrimination during her first pregnancy. In 2021, she launched a childcare fund to support athlete mothers. Felix and her brother and manager, Wes Felix, also founded Saysh, a community-centered lifestyle brand that creates sneakers for women by women. In 2022, Felix became the inaugural athlete-founder for Voice in Sport, an organization that keeps girls in sports through mentorship from professional and college athletes. Without a doubt, Felix runs things both on and off the field.

A Conversation with Howard’s Student-Athletes

“She Runs the World” features never-before-seen archival footage collected over 35 years and delves deep into Felix’s career and personal story, family, drive, charm, beliefs — and her joy.

Before the film screening at Cramton Auditorium on Oct. 27, the Felix siblings met with Wayne A. I. Frederick, M.D., MBA, Howard's interim president and president emeritus. Dr. Frederick is a passionate advocate for Howard’s student-athletes and an unapologetic champion of women leaders and athletes. As a cancer surgeon, he has witnessed firsthand the health disparities women, particularly Black women, face and understands the urgent need for greater equity in health care and maternal health. Those themes connect directly to Felix’s remarkable journey and the powerful stories explored in “She Runs the World.”

Felix and her brother and manager, Wes, hosted an intimate fireside chat for Howard's student-athletes. Kery Davis, the University’s vice president and director of athletics, opened the conversation with greetings and an encouraging word. The fireside chat was moderated by Cenaiya Billups, a sophomore business major and sports administration minor. Billups, a Denver native, is a member of the women’s track and field team and a MEAC 400-meter hurdles champion. The student-athletes asked thoughtful questions about perseverance, how to recover after injury, and what this moment — training for the Olympics at 40 — means to her.

When Personal Experience Births Advocacy

Felix’s face lit up as she responded to a question about pouring into the next generation of athletes. “It’s extremely important. A lot of the things that I do are all about the next generation, and what they’re going to do,” said Felix, who was already a professional athlete when she began college at the University of Southern California. She graduated with a degree in elementary education.

After the fireside chat, Felix spoke with media and student journalists and was asked about her advocacy and how her experience with childbirth shaped it. "My advocacy completely came about because of my own experience giving birth to my daughter,” Felix said. “I was floored that Black women continue to die during childbirth and have complications. The statistic that 80% of those complications are preventable; to me, there was just no excuse for that. So, I just wanted to get involved in whatever way I could.” Felix, who was diagnosed with severe preeclampsia, a potentially life-threatening pregnancy complication, when she was 32 weeks pregnant, underscored the urgency of the issue in her own life. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related complication than white women.

Glen Vinson II (B.S. ’02, M.S. ’07), associate vice president for student affairs and former Howard University student-athlete, welcomed the screening attendees on behalf of the University and bridged the connection between athletics, student development, and leadership. David Oliver (B.B.A. ’04), director of the track and field program, introduced Felix.

“Of my life’s greatest highlights, being able to call Allyson Felix a teammate—and more importantly a friend—is at the top of the list,” said Oliver. “Most of you recognize her as the most decorated Olympic track and field athlete in history. She is also a fierce leader and is never afraid to use her voice to advocate for justice.” Oliver continued, “It goes without saying that I am proud of her accomplishments both on and off the track, her commitment to advocacy, seeking truth, and her unwavering willingness to serve her community, all of which are traits that align with Howard’s mission and motto.”

It’s Bigger than Me

The film begins with a tight shot of Felix, who undauntedly says, “I love when people tell me that I can’t do something because I am going to show you that I can.” Those words resonated throughout Cramton Auditorium, where Howard students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members gathered to watch the film. They carry particular significance at Howard, where women make up about 70% of the student body. Across Howard, students, faculty, staff, and alumni have heard “no” but kept running toward their goals anyway.

“Hosting Allyson Felix on campus for the fireside chat, question-and-answer session, and meet-and-greet, brought inspiration and real-world perspectives directly to students,” said Cynthia Evers, Ed.D., Howard’s senior vice president for student affairs. “These experiences provide valuable opportunities for students to learn from accomplished leaders and engage with firsthand accounts of resilience, leadership, and achievement.”

“Centering the student experience ensures that students are not simply spectators, but active participants in meaningful conversations that challenge, empower, and shape their personal and professional journeys,” Evers continued. “Such experiences enrich the university environment and make learning more engaging, accessible, and impactful.”

Following the screening, Felix said, “It’s my story, but it’s a story that’s much bigger than me. I hope you see yourself and what’s possible because I definitely did not imagine that I could contribute to change.

To the Howard students in the audience, Felix said, 

I think it’s really important at this age that you understand that you have the ability to do incredible things even more than you probably think are possible. We’re very excited to have brought this film here and to share it with you.”

Click here to view a clip from the “She Runs the World documentary.”