Marlene “Marley” Holmes
Ms. Holmes was born in Louisville, Kentucky but has lived around the world as a military kid. She is a former Division 1 volleyball player who is now a Social Worker and Entrepreneur. Ms. Holmes has mastered the art of utilizing her athletic training to adapt and contribute to social work and athletics. While attending Bethune-Cookman University, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a Social Work minor and completed her Master’s degree at the University of Central Florida. Ms. Holmes currently attends Barry University as a third-year doctoral student in Social Work, focusing on black female collegiate athletes’ lived experience. She has presented at numerous conferences and organizations, including Jack and Jill of America, the Alliance of Social Workers in Sports, Association for Applied Sport Psychology, Black Student-Athlete Summit, and more. She also takes time to speak to current high school athletes, college students, and collegiate athletes at the University of Texas, Austin, Milsaps College, West Boca Raton High School, and more. She was recently honored as the recipient of the Doctoral Fellowship Award at Barry University for her dedication to bringing awareness to social work and athletics. She continues to share her journey and research via podcast interviews, magazine features, and a recent publication in 9nine Point Magazine.
Ms. Holmes worked in corporate America as a Regional Healthcare Administrator, Addiction Therapist, and District Manager for a college readiness program. Through all of her opportunities, she quickly recognized the challenges that directly impact student-athletes, particularly student-athletes of color, once the sport concludes. She identified the lack of professional preparation, mental health challenges, and inadequate exposure to resources for athletes of color. By creatively combining her passion for sports and social work background, she founded “The BFCA Experience.” The BFCA Experience focuses on the athlete’s success beneath the jersey by providing tools that prepare, support, and motivate players, parents, and coaches beyond the game.
Contact Information
Website: www.marleneholmes.com
E: bfcateam@gmail.com
Instagram: @the_bfca_experience @yupshesaidit
Linkedin: The BFCA Experience
Twitter: @TheFutureDrHolmes
Marketing Materials
Yup, She Said It Podcast (available on my website)
Doctoral Fellowship Award from Barry University