“Brianna is all things awesome,” said Jackie Fritsch, assistant director of admissions and scholarships for the Undergraduate Business Program. “In addition to being a world-class athlete, she is an effective advocate for women and minorities.
“She is a leader on and off the field, here at UNC, throughout the U.S. and across the globe.”
Cannon agreed. “As we work to better educate ourselves about diversity, equity and inclusion at UNC Kenan-Flagler, Brianna is already showing national leadership in this arena. Creating a more inclusive school results in our supporting students like Brianna as they shoot for big dreams and as they go out to make a difference in DEI beyond UNC Kenan-Flagler.”
Indeed, Pinto is outspoken about her experience as a Black woman athlete.
“My parents instilled values in me that you have a purpose in this world. Every day it is your responsibility to carry out what you’re in this world to do,” said Pinto as part of a conversation for Tar Heel Talk Episode 1: Being Black. “So, in the face of adversity, I just put my head down and do what I need to do. At the end of the day, what others say or do to me isn’t going to impact me in the long run because I believe there is a plan for me.”
Part of her plan includes her close-knit family in Durham, North Carolina. She spends time with her parents, older brother Hassan, who played for Duke as a grad student and is now on the professional team Loudoun United FC, and younger brother Malik, a freshman soccer player at Princeton who is training at FC Cincinnati.
Soccer has allowed them to travel the world, including stops in Israel, Jordan, France and the Dominican Republic. They have been to 22 countries.
This is only the beginning of Pinto’s journey. But wherever she goes, she will bring the lessons of UNC Kenan-Flagler with her.
“I’m so appreciative of the UNC Kenan-Flagler staff and faculty,” said Pinto. “They’ve empowered me to do more every day and invest in those around me. Everyone at UNC Kenan-Flagler invests in the success of others.”
Scholarships at Carolina
The University made the bold commitment to raise $1 billion by December 31, 2022, to create opportunity through scholarships and fellowships for students who have earned their place at Carolina. Simply put, these are students Carolina needs in order to attract and retain the very best. Support scholarships to ensure that Carolina continues to set the bar for student achievement by recruiting, enrolling and retaining the most talented scholars from North Carolina and beyond. Learn more about Scholarships at Carolina.
Story provided by UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School