Aces president Nikki Fargas’ words resonate during Black History Month event at The Meadows

Las Vegas Aces president Nikki Fargas chats with The Meadows School sophomore Simone McElroy after a Black History Month event hosted by the Black Student Alliance on Monday, Feb. 10, 2025. Fargas and Aces assistant coach Ty Willis participated in a Q and A session during the event. PHOTO: W.G. Ramirez

By W.G. RAMIREZ

Simone McElroy is already a motivated young lady with a firm grasp on what she'd like to do in life.

That didn't stop the sophomore from the prestigious The Meadows School in Northwest Las Vegas from soaking up a little more knowledge from Las Vegas Aces president Nikki Fargas during a Black History Month-themed event hosted by the school's Black Student Alliance (BSA).

"I think it's very inspirational to have a woman, a Black woman like Nikki, be able to come in and tell us about what she's been doing," McElroy said. "I think it's very powerful to see a Black woman in a position like this."

McElroy, along with a handful of other students, served as emcees for the 75-minute event, which was held inside the school's gymnasium and included a Q and A session with Fargas and new assistant coach Ty Willis.

"I like the part where she was talking about her daughter," McElroy said, of Fargas' words of wisdom to the roughly 300 people in attendance. "I thought it was very powerful. And just talking about Black women and empowering Black women."

Fargas was asked how she defined Black excellence and spoke about her 12-year-old daughter, Justice.

"When I look at my daughter, she looks like my husband and me," Fargas told the assembly. "I look at her being ‘eyes wide open,’ wanting to learn and wanting to explore.

"Now I don't know what the world has in store for her, but I know what we've been able to expose her to, which I think is going to give her a leg up in some areas. But she also has to work for everything, and she knows that."

Las Vegas Aces assistant coach Ty Willis (center left) and team president Nikki Fargas (center right) pose with The Meadows School students and administrators after participating in a Black History Month event, hosted by the Black Student Alliance on Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2025. PHOTO: Las Vegas Aces

The words hit home for McElroy, who aspires to follow in her mother's footsteps and attend Spelman College, the oldest private historically Black liberal arts institution for women.

"I think we are respectful, and she's obviously respectful, of the journey that her mother has taken to give her these opportunities," Fargas said of McElroy. "And as a mom, we want life to be better for our kids. We just want them to have equal opportunities. We want the world to be their oyster, but we also know some of the challenges that we face to get to where we are."

And that's where Fargas said when adversity is staring back at her, she thinks, 'Okay, what's my why?'

"And I think what's happened … is that she knows what her ‘why’ is," Fargas continued about McElroy. "And to identify that at such a young age, that's pretty impressive to understand her mom's at Spelman, she wants to go there, leaving that legacy. But to do that and start talking about that at such a young age is pretty impressive."

As is the goal McElroy has in life, which is to find a career in helping neurodivergent kids, those with ADHD or autism.

"I want to help with neurodiversity research," McElroy said.

Fargas said if there is one thing she hoped to leave with every student in attendance, it would be to challenge them to find their niche and gear their energy toward activism. With the growth of social media, and technology taking over everyone's lives, Fargas said this is a prime opportunity for the next generation to use its platform, and use its voices.

"This generation is not scared," Fargas said. "And so when you see people being treated terribly, when you see disrespect happening, when you see those discriminatory behaviors - call them out on it.

"Continue to challenge those who aren't representing who you are. Continue to show what your value system is ... your character should always shine through. So I hope that they understand, maybe there are family members that may view the Black community a certain type of way. You may have to have those conversations with your family members just to break those barriers, but also to start that dialog. And I think we've got a bunch of allies in here because they were very attentive. It sounded like they were very receptive. And, again, this is so important for them, for all people, to understand the historical impact of the Black community."

Fargas said she was proud to not just be a part of an important event during Black History Month, but to also be an attendee for the celebration, which included Black history trivia, additional speeches from Willis and BSA advisor Grayson Bell, and a traditional Senegalese dance - one of which Fargas participated in.

"I think it's important for everyone to understand that this is not just Black history, it's American history - it's all of our history, and to not forget that part of it," Fargas said. "We need to keep reminding folks, we need to educate folks. Because if it's not getting taught or told in the homes, then thank you to the education and administration here for seeing the importance of it. Because again, I understand where we were and where we're headed, but it's this generation that's going to continue to push forward and continue to have that fight. Whether it's legislatively, whether it's every day, whether it's in policies and procedures, it's going to be this generation that's going to be pushing those things through, and or voting those things."

A generation that includes McElroy, who said being a part of the BSA has helped broaden her mind and reveal her "why" in wanting to help others, while also spreading awareness of her culture, especially during Black History Month.

"I remember helping a little bit in middle school, making posters and things like that," said McElroy, who's been attending The Meadows since kindergarten. "I think it's really important, especially at a school like The Meadows, to just seek out my Black friends. Just being a part of the community and the BSA means a lot to me."