Dawn Staley Joins the Top 6% of Women in the World and Sends a Strong Message

Dawn Staley’s story is one of resilience, grit, brilliance, and above all, leadership. The South Carolina women’s basketball coach, Hall of Famer, and three-time Olympic gold medalist has now joined the top 6% of women in the world—economically, professionally, and culturally. But what does that really mean?

For Staley, this elite percentile is not about the fame or financial success that now marks her storied career. It’s about impact. It’s about breaking barriers in a world where Black women in leadership, especially in sports, are still battling underrepresentation. It’s about rising and lifting others. And recently, Staley sent a message that resounded far beyond the court.

The phrase “top 6% of women in the world” doesn’t just refer to income or accolades. According to global economic and education data, only about 6% of women globally have reached leadership roles with widespread influence—particularly in male-dominated professions like sports. Even fewer are women of color.

Staley’s success puts her in rare company. With a net worth estimated to be in the millions, a head coaching position at a Power Five university, and the accolades of a generational basketball icon, she fits the statistical model. But what’s more important is how she’s leveraged her status.

When Dawn Staley arrived at the University of South Carolina in 2008, the Gamecocks’ program was an afterthought in the NCAA landscape. Fast-forward to today, and South Carolina is a powerhouse, consistently competing for national titles, producing WNBA talent, and redefining what elite women’s college basketball looks like.

Under her leadership, the Gamecocks have won three national championships (2017, 2022, and 2024), claimed multiple SEC titles, and developed a defensive identity that mirrors her playing days—relentless, intelligent, and intense.

“She brought more than a system—she brought a culture,” said ESPN analyst and former WNBA star Rebecca Lobo. “What Dawn has done at South Carolina is one of the most impressive coaching feats we’ve ever seen.”

Staley’s success is deeply tied to her identity. A proud Black woman from North Philadelphia, she has never shied away from speaking truth to power. Whether it’s about racial justice, gender equity, or NCAA hypocrisy, she’s used every microphone she’s handed.

She’s also made it her mission to center Black women—players, assistant coaches, and staff—within her program. In 2021, she made history when South Carolina’s staff became the first all-Black, all-female coaching staff to reach the Final Four.

“This isn’t just about winning games,” Staley said in a press conference. “It’s about showing young Black girls that they can lead. That they can own the space they walk in. That they are enough.”In a world where women’s basketball has long played second fiddle to the men’s game, Staley has helped shift the narrative. She’s not only built winning teams but filled arenas. South Carolina consistently ranks at the top in national attendance for women’s basketball, and she’s cultivated a fan base that spans all ages and backgrounds.

But perhaps her most revolutionary act came off the court. In 2021, Staley became the highest-paid Black woman coach in women’s college basketball, signing a seven-year, $22.4 million contract extension with South Carolina.

“Don’t let them tell you we don’t deserve it,” Staley said at the time. “This is about equity. This is about value. I bring value, and I expect to be compensated accordingly.”

The contract wasn’t just a personal milestone. It was a seismic statement in the ongoing fight for pay equity in sports.

Staley’s message was simple but powerful: women, especially Black women, must stop being grateful for scraps when they bring undeniable value. Her extension forced other programs and athletic departments to reconsider what they’re paying—and what they’re expecting from—their women’s coaches.

“It set a new precedent,” said former Notre Dame coach Muffet McGraw. “For so long, women’s coaching salaries were suppressed under the guise of budget constraints. Dawn blew that excuse out of the water.”

Staley’s journey has always had international dimensions. As a player, she led Team USA to three Olympic gold medals. As a coach, she helped Team USA to a fourth. But more than the medals, it’s the inspiration she gives to women and girls around the globe that stands out.

In 2022, Staley took her message overseas, working with young athletes in Africa through the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders program. She spoke about the importance of education, access to resources, and representation. For many young girls, seeing a Black woman in charge—winning, leading, and speaking confidently—was transformative.

“Some of them had never seen a woman coach, let alone a Black woman who coached champions,” Staley said. “You could see their eyes light up.”

In March 2025, after winning her third national title, Staley delivered a passionate post-game speech not just about victory, but about legacy. She brought attention to the fact that despite the sport’s growth, disparities still exist.

“Our game is great, but we’re still begging for exposure, still asking for fair treatment,” she said. “The NCAA needs to stop treating us like we’re second class. The media needs to stop pretending we don’t exist unless we’re trending on TikTok.”

Her words sparked a national conversation. She was invited on national broadcasts, podcasts, and roundtables. She became more than a coach; she became a cultural touchstone—a voice of authority in a space that desperately needed one.

Dawn Staley’s influence has now expanded well beyond basketball. She has emerged as a figure who represents a larger cultural moment: the ascendancy of Black women in leadership, the redefinition of what it means to be powerful, and the unapologetic claiming of space.

In 2025, Time Magazine named her one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World. The accompanying profile, written by former First Lady Michelle Obama, praised her for her “unrelenting pursuit of excellence and justice.”

“She is a builder of champions, yes,” Obama wrote. “But more importantly, Dawn Staley builds belief—in others and in what is possible.”

At just 55 years old, Staley’s story is far from over. She’s been floated as a possible NBA assistant—or even head—coach. She’s been approached for college athletic director roles. And she’s hinted at writing a memoir.

But when asked recently what’s next, she smiled and responded: “I’m not done at South Carolina. We’ve still got work to do.”

What Staley has done is carve out a blueprint—for young coaches, athletes, and advocates. She’s shown that success doesn’t require compromising identity, that power can be wielded with empathy, and that advocacy is not a distraction from greatness—it is a part of it.

Former players, from WNBA stars A’ja Wilson and Aliyah Boston to current college standouts, speak glowingly of the way she developed them not just as players but as women prepared for the world.

“She taught us how to win on the court,” said Boston, now an Indiana Fever star. “But she also taught us how to carry ourselves like we belonged everywhere we went.”

Dawn Staley is more than a coach. She is a phenomenon. Her journey from the playgrounds of North Philly to the top 6% of women globally is proof of what can happen when talent, purpose, and principle collide.

She’s proven that greatness doesn’t have to come quietly. That it’s okay to speak out while you rise up. And in doing so, she’s sent a message that will echo for generations:

To every woman who’s told she’s too strong, too loud, or too ambitious—be all those things. Be like Dawn Staley.

Because if she’s in the top 6%, then maybe it’s time we start redefining what the top really looks like.