WASHINGTON - Strengthened by her internships with the Sacramento Police Department and Sacramento County's Substance Use Prevention And Treatment (SUPT), Kalita Dennis is more determined than ever to keep making a difference with her positive energy and more importantly, her voice.
Recently selected as the 2023 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Preseason Player of the Year, Dennis, a Howard University softball senior infielder, is comfortable being uncomfortable.
Among some of the experiences she enjoyed during her internships was being able to sit in on some of the collaborative courts, visiting some of the residential livings and dispensaries for their daily medication, traveling on ride alongs with the police, witnessing the duties of different units, and sitting in with dispatchers.
"The judges had a lot of sympathy and resources to give people second chances," said Dennis, who is from Elk Grove, California, a city founded in 1850 and located just south of the state capital of Sacramento. "SUPT raised awareness about mental illnesses and drug abuse. In my other internship, it was fun getting to know some of the officers.
"I liked how they created a space where we could talk about racial indifferences about recent and past incidents between police officers and minorities. We didn't always see eye-to-eye, but it felt good to bring some of my Howard knowledge and awareness back home. Both internships intertwined and gave me so much more information about my city and life."
Those experiences enhanced Dennis' purpose.
Speaking in a measured and confident manner, Dennis' voice will be constantly challenging and enthusiastically encouraging her teammates. The standard for the 2023 Howard softball team is no longer the expectation especially after last season's special campaign ended with winning the MEAC Tournament championship and competing in the Tallahassee Regional.
Dennis and the Bison begin their 2023 campaign against Tennessee on Friday, Feb. 10 in Clearwater, Florida.
After an abundance of excellence that sprinkled fans with shining moments in 2022, the Bison are hungry to experience more success.
"Our expectation is to win the MEAC again and a game in NCAA regionals," Dennis said. "I have had a great experience here at Howard. Me, as a Black woman, I have grown so much here with my sisters. I've found my voice in who I am. My confidence on the field has helped me find my voice. I think just being confident in who I am and what I bring to the table has made a difference in my mindset. Now, I am confident to give somebody feedback and to push them."
Dennis, who started playing softball when she was four years old, competes with graceful extravagance, grit, and an intensity fueled by urgency. The 2019 MEAC Freshman of the Year admitted that she doesn't pay attention to her numbers and is more focused on the process.
Leading by example, Dennis was named to All-MEAC First Team and earned a spot on the All-MEAC Tournament Team. Dennis, who was a two-time MEAC Player of the Week, led the conference in RBIs (48) and was second in home runs (10) and slugging percentage (.646).
The versatile force finished third in the MEAC in hits (57), fourth in batting average (.361), sixth in runs scored (40), ninth in triples (three), and 10th in doubles (nine).
Yet, those numbers don't even begin to define Dennis' impact.
"She is a culture and program changer," Howard softball head coach Tori Tyson said. "She owes this program nothing and we owe her. She's the best advocate for when you give a minority woman an opportunity. She has put together an unreal resume and deserves everything and more. She's a special human being who happens to be a very special softball player."
Her confident presence is as comforting as a grandmother's warm hug. Dennis has a unique ability to read a situation and make an immediate connection.
Being at Howard has meant everything to the 5 foot, 7 inch criminology major. Dennis is also an academic standout as evidenced by being named to the MEAC Softball All-Academic Team the last three years and to the Easton/NFCA Scholar All-America Team following her freshman year.
She loves that she's blazing trails, growing, and playing a sport she loves. Dennis has started reading Michele Obama's book, "The Light We Carry." Of course, the book title could easily describe the affable Dennis, who has a radiant spirit.
"I am really proud of myself," Dennis said. "I am excited to be in a lot of spaces that maybe didn't have that much light. I am excited that more girls want to come here and buy into Howard softball. It's definitely a pat on the back for me and I want people to come here and continue the legacy. I knew Howard would push me as a Black woman. It means something too, that I am doing a lot here."
One space that Dennis was fortunate to be in was the Women's Sports Foundation Athlete Leadership convention in New York. The mission of the event is to impact, cultivate and inspire the next generation of female athletes as leaders both on and off the court.
Dennis returned to Howard galvanized.
"It was so amazing," Dennis said of her experience at the WSF convention. "It was not only inspiring to be in a room full of successful women athletes but a joyful moment to all have the ambition to use our sport as a pathway to a future career and/or making women sports better for
upcoming generations. A big take away was when Billie Jean King talked about the importance of women sports.
"She said that it was important because "we are visible". She made me think about how much media can play into changing our game. Another point was that true leadership is about others. Coach emphasizes that captains are meant to serve the team. As one of the captains it's my job to guide, support, and push my teammates on my good and bad days."
Helping Dennis on her tough days and through difficult moments are Sarah Jakes Roberts' podcasts. She's the daughter of pastor T.D. Jakes.
Dennis' faith also keeps her grounded and disciplined. Her roots of resilience can be traced to her parents, Carlos and Michelle Dennis, and older brothers, Damareyah and Carlos, Jr.
"My parents taught me to work for what I want even when it gets hard," Dennis said. "They told me early that my journey wouldn't be easy but anything good isn't easy. They blessed me with limitless resources, time, and love to help me get to where I am today.
"I am here for a reason. I have faith in what God is going to do. No matter the outcome, I've worked hard for it and that's what matters. My goal is to become an All-American. I want to be an All-American, but at the end of the day, I can walk away from Howard in peace knowing I put everything into it."