2022 marked a historic moment for the world of gymnastics. For the first time, three black women – Jordan Chiles, Konnor McClain and Shilese Jones – topped the podium at the U.S. Gymnastics Championships.
In January 2023, Ari Chambers sat down with these three remarkable athletes to talk about that moment in time, the evolution of black women in gymnastics and their hopes for the future. This is that conversation.
![](https://res.cloudinary.com/usopc-prod/image/upload/v1686058255/TeamUSA%20Assets/Migration/Group-16x9-1.jpg)
(L-R) Konnor McClain, Jordan Chiles and Shilese Jones and pose in front of a beam at a photoshoot on Jan. 22, 2023 in Los Angeles.
![](https://res.cloudinary.com/usopc-prod/image/upload/v1686058297/TeamUSA%20Assets/Migration/Konnor-16x9-3.jpg)
Konnor McClain gets her hair curled on set on Jan. 22, 2023 in Los Angeles.
![](https://res.cloudinary.com/usopc-prod/image/upload/v1686058298/TeamUSA%20Assets/Migration/BlackGymnast_WebKonnor_1.jpg)
![](https://res.cloudinary.com/usopc-prod/image/upload/v1686058300/TeamUSA%20Assets/Migration/Jordan-16x9-7.jpg)
Jordan Chiles shows off her nail art at a photoshoot on Jan. 22, 2023 in Los Angeles.
![](https://res.cloudinary.com/usopc-prod/image/upload/v1686058301/TeamUSA%20Assets/Migration/BlackGymnastShilese_3.jpg)
![](https://res.cloudinary.com/usopc-prod/image/upload/v1686058302/TeamUSA%20Assets/Migration/Group-16x9-12.jpg)
(L-R) Jordan Chiles, Konnor McClain, Shilese Jones and Ari Chambers sit around the roundtable on Jan. 22, 2023 in Los Angeles.
![](https://res.cloudinary.com/usopc-prod/image/upload/v1686058304/TeamUSA%20Assets/Migration/BlackGymnast_WebChiles_1.jpg)
![](https://res.cloudinary.com/usopc-prod/image/upload/v1686058305/TeamUSA%20Assets/Migration/Group-16x9-3.jpg)
(L-R) Shilese Jones and Konnor McClain take a selfie during a photoshoot on Jan. 23, 2023 in Los Angeles.
![](https://res.cloudinary.com/usopc-prod/image/upload/v1686058306/TeamUSA%20Assets/Migration/BlackGymnast_WebShilese_1.jpg)
![](https://res.cloudinary.com/usopc-prod/image/upload/v1686058269/TeamUSA%20Assets/Migration/Group-16x9-5.jpg)
(L-R) Jordan Chiles, Konnor McClain, Shilese Jones and Ari Chambers take a selfie during the roundtable on Jan. 23, 2023 in Los Angeles.
![](https://res.cloudinary.com/usopc-prod/image/upload/v1686058307/TeamUSA%20Assets/Migration/BlackGymnast_WebChiles_2.jpg)
Black Excellence All Around
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