Black History Month Spotlight: Kaya Forbes

February marks Black History Month, an important time to remember and recognize the generations who have meant so much to our history while we also continue to have conversations about our present and future. Throughout the month, Carolina Gymnastics will be celebrating its remarkable student-athletes and their contributions to the team, University and community.

Kaya Forbes is a junior from Gonzales, Louisiana, who competes on vault, bars and floor. Her career-high 9.9 on vault is tied for fourth all-time in program history. A psychology major, she was named to the 2024 All-ACC Academic Team.

What is your favorite thing about being a Carolina gymnast?
My favorite thing about being a Carolina gymnast is having my Carolina family. Being a part of this program means having your teammates, coaches, athletic trainers and others always there to support you in your journey at Carolina. Experiencing college as a student-athlete is already a unique opportunity, but having people like these beside me has made this process truly special.

What is something you've accomplished – on or off the mats – that you're really proud of?
Something that I'm proud of accomplishing is always maintaining and prioritizing academics. Every semester that I've been at Carolina I've made honor roll, and last semester I achieved my highest semester GPA of my time here at Carolina.

What does Black History Month mean to you?
Black History Month is a time where our nation can look back on all of the accomplishments that African American people have made. It is a time where our nation can be proud of how much we have grown, but also be persistent in making improvements and continuing to educate ourselves on the mistakes of the past. As a Black student-athlete, I take this time to celebrate and show gratitude to those who have paved the way for me to be here today, as well as doing my best to be a role model for others like me.

How have Black leaders and mentors inspired or shaped you?
Some leaders that have inspired me throughout my time here at Carolina are my athletic trainer, Nina Walker, and our training table coordinator, Miss Gwen. Nina Walker's achievements and expertise has shown me how important it is to stay dedicated to my goals, especially since I hope to pursue a career in a similar field. Miss Gwen's kindness and thoughtfulness has been so valuable in showing me how impactful it is to have a good character and to always be compassionate towards others. Both of these figures have shaped my outlook on what kind of person I hope to be one day.

What advice would you give to younger Black athletes hoping to compete at a high level?
My advice for younger Black athletes would be to stay true to themselves and to not let others define you. As far as participating in college athletics, don't settle and lower your standards because there is always a school that will appreciate you for you. Regardless of what others may say or think, you have just as much potential and influence as anyone else.

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Players Mentioned

Kaya Forbes

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