Read this article from the New York Amsterdam News about the “Breaking Barriers” panel discussion, which followed a screening of the documentary “Breaking Boundaries” at the 32nd Annual African Diaspora Film Festival. Panelists, including Wendy Hilliard, the first Black rhythmic gymnast to represent the U.S. internationally, shared their experiences in the sport, addressing challenges related to body image, racial inclusion, and societal expectations. Nastasya Generalova, a former top U.S. rhythmic gymnast, reflected on the mental and physical struggles faced as a Black athlete in a predominantly white sport, while Alexis Page highlighted the loneliness and pressure of conforming to Eurocentric beauty standards.
