Dominique Dawes TOPICS: Olympics Motivation Achievement/Peak Performance Inspiration FEE CATEGORY:* 5.0k to 10.0k TRAVELS FROM: Maryland Profile Program Outlines Request This Speaker

Dominique Dawes: Profile

Dawes's start in gymnastics began at the age of 6. Her first and only coach, Kelli Hill, quickly realized her potential and by the age of 10, Dawes began to compete. It was not until the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, that Dawes burst into the international spotlight as the first African American gymnast to ever qualify and compete in an Olympic Games. At these Games she and her teammates captured a bronze medal.

Since then, Dawes has won more National Championship medals than any other athlete, male or female, as well as four World Championship medals, along with the All Around title at the 1994 National Championships.

At the 1996 Olympic Games, Dawes and the US Gymnastics Team stole the hearts of Americans garnering the team gold medal. "Awesome Dawesome" (as she is known by her coach and teammates) became the first African American to win an individual gymnastics medal with her bronze on the floor. Following her triumphs at the Olympics, Dawes appeared on the Wheaties cereal box, performed in Prince's music video, "Betcha by Golly Wow", and acted on a number of television shows. She has also appeared on Broadway in the hit musical "Grease," as Patty Simcox.

As a result of her determination and ability, Dawes has received several awards including the 1995 Henry P. Iba Citizen Award, presented annually to two outstanding athletes who have demonstrated good citizenship. She was named 1994 Sports person of the year by USA Gymnastics, and was also a finalist for the 1994 AAU Sullivan Award, which recognizes the USA's top amateur athlete.

A graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, Dawes has become a renowned public speaker, focusing on multiple issues including, but not limited to, health issues, sports participation, equality (African American/Women's rights), and self-esteem. For the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Dawes focuses on youth and female health issues, as well as female participation in sports.

She has spoken at presidential inaugural events, Women's National Sports Day, school graduations, military functions, corporate events, Women's Sports Foundation engagements, local political events, Girls Scouts of America functions, and gymnastics meets. Committed to helping today's girls realize their full potential, Dawes dedicates much of her time empowering young women. She was the six year-long national spokesperson for the Clinton-run Girl Power campaign, designed to motivate and educate young girls about their potential in society. Dawes has recently teamed up with Girl Scouts of the USA and Unilever to launch UNIQUELY ME! The Girl Scout/ Unilever Self-Esteem Program. The goal of this national initiative is to address the effects of low self-esteem among girls ages 8-to-14, with a specific focus on those in under-represented communities.

Due to her extensive drive and determination, Dawes continues to gain experience in the world of broadcasting. At the 2001 Goodwill Games in Brisbane, Australia, she commentated for TNT on both men and women's artistic gymnastics and women's rhythmic gymnastics. She has also worked with her local CBS affiliate in Washington, DC, reporting general interest stories for Black History month. At the 2002 NCAA National Gymnastics Championship in Tuscaloosa, AL, she provided on-air reporting with CBS Sports, commentary and analysis at the Big 12 Regionals in Lincoln, Nebraska with FoxSports Net.

Recently she appeared on CNN for an Olympic overview.

As of 2003, Dawes has ventured out into the world of coaching. Through her company, Dominique Dawes, LLC, she offers private lessons to young athletes at Hill's gymnastics, the gym that she started at. The private lessons range from strength training, flexibility, gymnastics, to mental toughness training.

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