After the killing of George Floyd by a former Minneapolis police officer, the Black community delved into ways to inspire and uplift one another. As the only Black member of the U.S. national figure skating team, Starr Andrews saw the injustice as an opportunity to use her platform to inspire her community.

Andrews garnered the attention of former First Lady Michelle Obama and thousands of others after skating to Mickey Guyton's song "Black Like Me." The song, Andrews said, touches on her personal struggles as a young Black woman.

Now, one year after the killing of Floyd, the figure skater told Blavity she's proud of the progression of the Black Lives Matter movement.

"I think that the BLM movement has made a huge impact. I still think that it has a long ways to go, but it is changing and that's amazing," Andrews said.

In the song about the racial injustice and inequities in the U.S., Guyton, a Black country singer, sings about life from her perspective.

"And if you think we live in the land of the free, then you should try to be Black like me," Guyton sings. "My daddy worked day and night for an old house and a used car just to live that good life. It shouldn't be twice as hard."

"Little kid in a small town, I did my best to fit in. Broke my heart on the playground when they said I was different," she continues in the song.

The 19-year-old said after her coach played the song for her, she immediately connected to it. Growing up in the sport, Andrews said "It was hard at times because I didn't really fit in, but my love for the sport pushed those emotions aside."

"She [Guyton] sings about her struggles about being a Black girl and I could relate to it," she said.

Andrews added that she was also inspired to perform the song as a way to thank the Black pioneers and freedom fighters who came before her, for their contributions.

During the virtual event in July 2020, Andrews graced the ice with her poetic moves. At the end of the performance, she stood tall with her fist in the air and a smile on her face.

The routine earned her recognition from Guyton, as well as Obama, and the Black community.

"I've received a lot of support from my Black community! They have always encouraged me to keep going and with 'Black Like Me,' it was a way to thank them for all the support," she said. "I couldn't believe Michelle Obama saw my program. I was quite shocked when my mom told me! I couldn't be more grateful to have her support."

She added that, as a lone Black figure skater, she hopes to continue to use her platform to inspire other Black children to explore the sport.

"I think that I can spread awareness of the lack of color in figure skating and how this sport is for everyone no matter what race you are," she said. "I really hope that more Black people try out figure skating even if it's just for fun. This sport is so beautiful and fun and I want everyone to feel welcomed to join the figure skating community."

Starr-Andrews

Get relevant content delivered to you once a week