49ers celebrate diversity with ‘Football for All’ at Levi’s Stadium

by Kevin Epps

This past weekend, the San Francisco 49ers hosted their second annual “Football for All” event during the preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at Levi’s Stadium. The celebration highlighted the rich diversity of the Bay Area, the NFL’s wide fan base and the diverse professionals who work within the sports industry.

As the first NFL team to dedicate an entire game theme to showcasing diversity, the 49ers once again demonstrated their commitment to inclusivity and cultural representation. The event featured a range of in-game activations that underscored the team’s broader effort to foster a sense of belonging for all fans, both locally and globally.

The event kicked off with a moving performance of the National Anthem by Erisa Nicole, a smooth Jazz saxophonist hailing from San Diego. Nicole, who has performed at venues large and small, expressed her enthusiasm for being part of this special occasion. “I’m so excited to be here as part of Football for All to play the National Anthem. It’s important because everyone should be included. I love that “Football for All” celebrates the diversity of the NFL and those who work in professional sports, as well as women,” she shared.

Queen Noveen, a seasoned voiceover artist, live announcer and actor took the mic as the entertainment announcer for the day, marking her role as part of the first all-female stadium PA announcer team. 

Reflecting on the significance of the event, Noveen stated, “We really want fans to see themselves represented here on game day. It’s important because I feel like it’s essential to highlight a multitude of voices and backgrounds in the sports world. You don’t see a lot of women, much less women of color, in this industry. I’m really grateful and honored to be in the position that I am in and to inspire others to see that yes, if you see it, you can be it. There is space for us here.”

In addition to her role at the event, Queen Noveen also shared her journey into voiceover work, which began in her youth. “I began acting when I was younger, doing theater and commercials, and throughout that time, everyone complimented my voice. So, I decided to finally step into the world of voiceover. I actually teach voiceover classes with my voiceover school that I launched this year called Ready to Announce, where I help educate and teach people how to get into voiceover and have fun in the world of voiceover.”

The Native American Women Warriors, led by founder Mitchelene Bigman of the Apsáalooke Nation, presented the colors during the pre-game ceremonies. “We are very excited to be here; it’s an honor,” Bigman said. “We have a platform to honor our Native American women veterans. Being a woman in the military, a lot of times we don’t get the recognition, so this is one way of being a voice.” 

She emphasized the importance of events like this, noting, “It exposes the positivity of Native Americans and the contributions they’ve made in the military and history.”

The halftime show and entertainment created a vibrant and dynamic presentation that resonated with fans of all ages.

As the 49ers continue their preparations for the 2024 regular season, “Football for All” served as a powerful reminder of the importance of diversity in sports and the broader community. The event was not just a celebration of football but a tribute to the many voices and cultures that make the sport – and the Bay Area – so special.

The Bay View’s executive editor and Hunters Point’s favorite son, filmmaker Kevin Epps, is best known for the game-changing “Straight Outta Hunters Point” and for “Black Rock,” “Rap Dreams,” “Fam Bam” and more. He has collaborated on projects with Google, Yahoo, Discovery Channel, Current TV and a host of other media partners. He was awarded an artist fellowship by the world renowned de Young Museum. His passion for advocacy for his community is legendary. He can be reached at [email protected]. 

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