Black Diamonds’ supporter group is a safe space for Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color(BIPOC) soccer fans to unite at New Mexico United matches and local soccer community events. Since Black Diamonds launched in 2021, the group has set its goals to grow Black fandom in soccer, diversify soccer attendance on match days, and ensure BIPOC youth have access to soccer.
Black Diamonds began with a mission to serve the Black community. The Black demographic isa small percentage in New Mexico’s soccer community from the stands to the pitch. Black Diamonds’ core value is to make sure members of the Black community always know that New Mexico’s soccer community is a safe space for them to join. Black Diamonds believes in maintaining an all-inclusive soccer space for its members and guests.
Black Diamonds’ initial goal was to grow Black fandom from youth to adults in New Mexico’s soccer community and diversify the attendance on home match days. Black Diamonds wants members around who are passionate about the game of soccer and are willing to teach others about the rules of the game down to the roles of each player. Black Diamonds believes everyone should be able to experience why soccer is called “the beautiful game.” Black Diamonds members joined the supporters group because it is an all-inclusive soccer space that welcomes everyone. Black Diamonds members have contributed to the group’s core values by inviting their friends and associates from the Black community to Black Diamonds’ organized events. This outreach has led to the growth of Black Diamonds’ membership count.
Black Diamonds’ other goal was ensuring Black youth can access soccer. Black Diamonds members are aware of the legendary Black presence in leagues around the world. Black Diamonds wanted local Black youth to know that they can work towards a professional soccer career if they choose to apply themselves just like any of their peers. Black Diamonds partnered with New Mexico United and Somos Unidos Foundation to provide Community Clinics to the underserved Black demographic in Albuquerque’s International District. Black Diamonds strongly believes that the next generation of Black professional soccer players will come from the New Mexico soccer community. Black Diamonds members have volunteered their time and talents to see that these clinics have gone off without a hitch. More than anything else, the Community Clinics is a safe space for Black youth to explore the sport and make new friends while participating in an all-inclusive environment. Going forward this goal is unchanged other than expanding our efforts to other BIPOC communities.
Since Black Diamonds launched in 2021, the group has accomplished many of its goals to grow Black fandom in soccer, diversify soccer attendance on match days, and ensure Black youth have access to soccer. Black Diamonds recognizes these goals as the cultural cornerstone of the group.
Before the 2024 season, there are new developments for Black Diamonds Leadership to share with the members. Black Diamonds Leadership recognizes that much of the focus has been on the letter of mission but not the spirit for the past two years. Black Diamonds Leadership knows that the group's identity is due to the contributions of Black Diamonds members’ volunteerism of time and talents. Over time, Black Diamonds’ membership has grown, and while membership has helped plant the seed of Black fandom, Black Diamonds Leadership feels that it’s now time to celebrate its membership as a whole and to expand the mission of the supporter group.
Black Diamonds’ membership is a full spectrum of Black and Brown that includes Afro, Latin, Indigenous, Pacific Islander, and Asian backgrounds. Black Diamonds has always been all-inclusive, but the importance here is to formally state the expansion of Black Diamonds’ reach to ensure that we can grow fandom, diversify soccer attendance, and make soccer available for the youth of every demographic represented by our supporter group.
“Black Diamonds” the name will not change. The name of the group has always been a double entendre. The floating black diamond in the New Mexico United shield is the inspiration behind the name. As a group, Black Diamonds has come into the soccer space and become a jewel of the soccer community. Also, Black soccer fan Chris Walker founded the group, and the first five founding members were also Black soccer fans. Visually, Black Diamonds will update its primary crest to ensure that it represents our membership. Future merchandise drops will also celebrate our membership more inclusively.
Every Black Diamond deserves their shine.