Tomekia Reed And Dawn Thornton To Speak Today At BCA Women's Final Four Summit

The Black Coaches Association will host the 2025 BCA Women's Final Four Summit, featuring Seattle Storm head coach Noelle Quinn and assistant coach/associate general manager Pokey Chatman.

The event will occur at the Raymond O. Shelton School Administrative Center in Tampa, Florida, from 10:30 AM to 2:00 PM ET on Friday, Apr. 4.

Two notable coaches with roots in the HBCU basketball community will be speakers at the event. Tomekia Reed, the head coach of the UNC-Charlotte 49ers, and Dawn Thornton, the head coach of the Alabama A&M Bulldogs, are scheduled to be featured speakers at the third annual forum.

Tomekia Reed Wins At UNC-Charlotte | Credit: UNC-Charlotte IG Account

Reed, 43, masterfully crafted perennial winning teams at Jackson State University for six seasons before accepting the role at UNC-Charlotte this past season. During her tenure at JSU, Reed posted a 125-54 (.698) overall record and a dominating 95-10 (.905) SWAC record.

She won four SWAC tournaments with three NCAA appearances and one WNIT trip from 2018 to 2024.

Currently at UNC-Charlotte, Reed completed her first season as the 49ers head coach, notching an overall 11-21 (.344) record. Her team surprised many with two AAC Tournament victories against Florida Atlantic and Tulsa in the first two rounds until losing at the hands of Temple in the quarterfinal round.

Alabama A&M Women's Basketball Coach Dawn Thornton | Credit: SWAC, Dawn Thornton

In her first season at Alabama A&M, Dawn Thornton led the Bulldogs women's basketball team to its best season ever in Huntsville, Alabama. Her team registered an overall 21-11 (.656) record with a 14-4 (.778) SWAC record.

The Bulldogs were upset by the Alcorn State Braves in the quarterfinals of the 2025 SWAC Women's Basketball Tournament in College Park, Georgia, on Mar. 13.

However, Thornton and AAMU were invited to the 2025 Women's National Invitational Tournament (WNIT) because of their outstanding regular season. They opened the tourney by playing against Chattanooga in their first-ever WNIT appearance. Unfortunately, in a highly competitive game, the Bulldogs fell lost to the Mocs, 53-49.

Many attribute Alabama A&M's quick turnaround to Thornton's leadership, player development, and strong recruiting efforts.

To attend the 3rd Annual BCA Women's Final Four Summit, register online at bcaworldwide.com.

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Published Apr 4, 2025

KYLE MOSLEY

I am Kyle T. Mosley, the Founder, Managing Editor, and Chief Reporter for the HBCU Legends, Saints News Network, and Pelicans Scoop on FanNation a Sports Illustrated team channel since October 2019. Morehouse Alum, McDonogh #35 Roneagles (NOLA), Drum Major of the Tenacious Four. My Father, Mother, Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles were HBCU graduates! Host of "Blow the Whistle" HBCU Legends, "The Quad" with Coach Steward, and "Bayou Blitz" Podcasts. Radio/Media Appearances: WWL AM/FM Radio in New Orleans (Mike Detillier/Bobby Hebert), KCOH AM 1230 in Houston (Ralph Cooper), WBOK AM in New Orleans (Reggie Flood/Ro Brown), and 103.7FM "The Game" (Jordy Hultberg/Clint Domingue), College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt), Jeff Lightsly Show, and Offscript TV on YouTube. Television Appearance: Fox26 in Houston on The Isiah Carey Factor, College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt). My Notable Interviews: Byron Allen (Media Mogul), Deion Sanders (Jackson State University, Head Coach), Tomekia Reed (Jackson State Lady Tigers Basketball Coach), Taylor Rooks (NBA Reporter), Swin Cash (VP of Basketball - New Orlean Pelicans), Demario and Tamala Davis (NFL Player), Jerry Rice (Hall of Famer), Doug Williams (HBCU & NFL Legend), Emmitt Smith (Hall of Famer), James "Shack" Harris (HBCU & NFL Legend), Cris Carter (Hall of Famer), Solomon Wilcots (SiriusXM NFL Host), Steve Wyche (NFL Network), Jim Trotter (NFL Network), Travis Williams (Founder of HBCU All-Stars, LLC), Malcolm Jenkins (NFL Player), Cam Jordan (NFL), Demario Davis (NFL), Allan Houston (NBA All-Star), Drew Brees (Former NFL QB), Deuce McAllister (Former NFL RB), Willie Roaf (NFL Hall of Fame), Jim Everett (Former NFL Player), Quinn Early (Former NFL Player), Dr. Reef (NFL Players' Trainer Specialist), Nataria Holloway (VP of the NFL). I am building a new team of journalists, podcasters, videographers, and interns. For media requests, interviews, or interest in joining HBCU Legends, please contact me at kmosley@hbcusi.com. Follow me:

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