For Quanesha Speed, the path to becoming the founder and CEO of the Black Volleyball Circuit began with a simple observation: talented volleyball athletes need opportunities to be seen.

After 18 years working in volleyball in the Dallas area as a high school head coach, collegiate head coach and club director, Speed understood the sport from multiple perspectives. She also understood that talent alone does not always determine which athletes receive opportunities to play at the next level.

More than five years ago, she decided to do something about it.

What began as a platform designed to help her own club athletes gain exposure and connect with college programs, particularly HBCUs, has grown into a national organization hosting the HBCU Showcase® across the country and connecting hundreds of athletes with college coaches and recruiting resources.

The mission, however, remains remarkably consistent.

Create access. Create opportunity. Make sure athletes are seen.

“I started the Black Volleyball Circuit a little over five years ago with a simple goal: create a platform to help our club players gain exposure and get recruited,” Speed said. “I never imagined it would grow into what it is today.”

Today, the Black Volleyball Circuit is doing much more than hosting events. It is creating a network designed to help athletes and families navigate the path from club volleyball to college athletics while providing meaningful opportunities to connect with coaches.

Seeing an Opportunity

Speed’s extensive experience in volleyball gave her a unique perspective on the recruiting process. She had been a player, coach and club director, allowing her to see firsthand the challenges athletes and families can encounter when trying to navigate the college recruiting landscape.

One of the biggest challenges she identified wasn’t necessarily a lack of talent.

It was access.

“The biggest gap in recruiting isn’t talent, it’s access,” Speed said. “Many athletes simply don’t get in front of the right coaches, and that’s where we come in.”

The Black Volleyball Circuit was created to help close that gap, particularly for athletes of color who may not have previously had the same access to recruiting opportunities or information about HBCUs.

The HBCU Showcase® brings athletes and college coaches together in a setting designed for evaluation, education and relationship-building. Athletes participate in position training, team drills and competitive play while also having opportunities to interact directly with college coaches.

But Speed quickly realized that simply putting athletes and coaches in the same gym wasn’t enough.

The experience needed to go deeper.

More Than a Showcase

One of the defining characteristics of the Black Volleyball Circuit is its emphasis on education and relationship-building.

Before attending a showcase, athletes are encouraged to research the participating schools, communicate with coaches and send their film. During the event, they have opportunities to learn directly from college coaches through Q&A sessions covering recruiting, academics, communication and what coaches look for in prospective student-athletes.

The organization also serves as a bridge between athletes and college programs.

Coaches may contact the Black Volleyball Circuit looking for a particular position, graduation year or type of athlete. Because Speed and her team have developed relationships with their participants, they can help identify potential fits and facilitate introductions.

And the relationship doesn’t necessarily end when the showcase does.

The Black Volleyball Circuit has continued working with athletes by reviewing film, helping with coach communication, making calls on their behalf and connecting them with programs that may still have roster needs.

“We want our athletes to understand that recruiting is about relationships, not just being seen for a few hours in a gym,” Speed said.

That philosophy has helped transform the organization from an event operator into a resource for athletes and families.

Supporting the Whole Athlete

Speed’s vision extends beyond helping athletes earn a scholarship or secure a roster spot.

She wants them to be prepared for what happens after they get there.

The Black Volleyball Circuit created Parent University to help families better understand the many components of the student-athlete journey. Educational topics include recruiting, NCAA and NAIA eligibility, NIL, financial literacy, nutrition, mental wellness and other issues that can affect a young athlete’s college experience.

The organization also mentors incoming freshmen and their parents as they transition from high school to college athletics.

“We want our athletes to be prepared physically, academically, mentally, socially and financially for the next level,” Speed said. “Getting an offer or earning a roster spot is exciting, but we also want them equipped to succeed once they get there.”

That commitment reflects a larger philosophy behind the Black Volleyball Circuit: the athlete is more than what happens on the court.

Building Relationships That Last

Speed also understands that volleyball is a relationship business.

Her coaching background has helped her establish credibility with college coaches, club directors and high school programs, but she believes trust is built through consistency and genuine investment in the people involved.

College coaches know they can come to a Black Volleyball Circuit event and evaluate athletes in an environment designed to help them do their jobs effectively. Club and high school coaches see the organization as a partner working to expand opportunities for their athletes.

And Speed’s investment doesn’t stop there.

The Black Volleyball Circuit attends high school and college matches to support its athletes and coaches. The organization has also made donations to college volleyball programs at the beginning of their seasons, recognizing that many programs operate with limited resources.

For Speed, those actions are part of building something bigger than a recruiting event.

“I want a coach to know we support their program beyond the day they attend our event, and I want an athlete to know we’re still rooting for them after they leave our gym,” she said.

That consistency has helped create a network of relationships that continues to grow.

Persevering Through the Challenges

Building something new rarely comes without obstacles.

As an early mover in this space, Speed has faced challenges ranging from securing meaningful sponsorships to helping families understand the value and opportunities associated with HBCUs.

Financial limitations within many HBCU athletic programs can also make recruiting travel difficult for coaches. The Black Volleyball Circuit’s centralized events help address that challenge by bringing athletes and coaches together in one location.

And while conversations surrounding diversity, equity and inclusion have become increasingly complicated, Speed remains focused on the purpose that started the organization.

“For us, the mission has never been about trends, it’s about access and opportunity,” she said. “At the end of the day, those challenges have pushed us to be more intentional, more innovative and more committed to the work.”

That perseverance is a defining part of the Black Volleyball Circuit’s story.

Speed didn’t wait for someone else to create the opportunity she believed athletes needed.

She built it.

A National Movement

The growth of the Black Volleyball Circuit demonstrates the demand for the opportunities it provides.

The HBCU Showcase® has expanded into multiple regions of the country, bringing together hundreds of athletes and dozens of college programs. The 2026 events included stops in Dallas, Baltimore, Ohio, Atlanta and Bakersfield.

2026 HBCU Showcase® Schedule:

  • Dallas, TX: May 30–31, 2026 | UTA Maverick Activity Center
  • DMV/Baltimore, MD: June 6–7, 2026 | Hosted by Coppin State University
  • Maumee, OH: June 13, 2026 | Hosted by Premier Academy
  • Atlanta, GA: July 11, 2026 | Hosted by Georgia State University
  • Las Vegas, NV: July 18, 2026 | Hosted by It’s All Volleyball

Each event is designed to combine competition, recruiting exposure and education while creating opportunities for athletes and families to connect directly with college programs.

And Speed sees even more potential ahead.

“We’re continuing to grow, expand into new markets and build partnerships that align with our purpose,” she said. “But no matter how big this becomes, the focus will always stay the same: creating real opportunities, building meaningful relationships and making sure every athlete who comes through our events feels seen, supported and prepared for what’s next.”

Building Something Bigger Than Volleyball

Perhaps the most compelling part of the Black Volleyball Circuit’s story is that its impact extends beyond the athletes who receive offers or connect with college coaches.

It’s about changing what young athletes believe is possible.

It’s about giving families information they may not otherwise have.

It’s about helping college coaches find athletes while helping athletes find programs where they can thrive.

And it’s about creating a community that continues to support athletes long after they leave the gym.

“Anybody can host a camp. Not everybody can build a platform that actually changes lives, and that’s exactly what we’ve done with the HBCU Showcase®. This is bigger than volleyball.”

That mindset has driven Speed from a simple idea more than five years ago to a growing national organization.

The Black Volleyball Circuit isn’t waiting for the recruiting landscape to change.

It is creating its own pathway, one athlete, one relationship and one opportunity at a time.

Learn more about the Black Volleyball Circuit.