WhenPittsburgh-Greensburg runner Tyshawn Brownfield watches the Olympics, he rarely sees a pride flag. It's always a man with a wife and kids.
"The stereotypical American family, you know," he said.
He wants to change that.
Brownfield thinks everyone has a purpose. For him, becoming a college athlete and graduate serves his: Show others the way.
"Growing up, I didn't often see people who looked like me — Black, openly gay, and thriving — in the world of athletics or psychology. That lack of visibility inspired me to become the representation I wish I had," he reflected.
Brownfield believes that if you can see it, you can dream it. If you can dream it, you can do it.
"I want to show other people in the LGBTQIA+ community, or even just other Black queer gay men, that you can do it," he said. "People only try to stop you because they see your potential before you see it."
Brownfield's grandma, Monica Cash, and father, Walter, described him as a shy child who was a motivated go-getter. As a child, Brownfield shared a particularly close-knit bond with his great-grandmother, Reta Wright. The pair could often be found dancing together, competing in the "Just Dance" video game. Even a decade later, Brownfield will come home to help care for his great-grandmother. They still dance together whenever they can.
As he got older, Walter said his son began to push himself out of his comfort zone.
"I love that about him. At this point now, I feel like he has no fear to take on anything in life," Walter said.
As Brownfield grew into himself, his first four years of college challenged him in ways he didn't anticipate.
The Waldorf, Maryland, native ran track and cross country at Southwestern College — part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics — his first two years but decided to transfer to Hood, a Division III school where he ran for another two years. At both schools, Brownfield struggled with feeling "genuine and authentic," he said.
"I felt stuck in a box," he added.
Brownfield channeled those challenges into improvement on the track.
"Instead of wasting four years of my life letting people get in my head, I decided to have tunnel vision and focus on me. The results came," he said. "If they can't beat me on the track, then their opinions don't matter."
Brownfield also made great friends who stood by his side. His best friend and former Southwestern teammate, Lauryn Terry, reflected on Brownfield's strength through adversity.
"He taught me patience, and I taught him how to stand up for himself," Terry said. "He is very strong."
Terry said everything about Brownfield is warm: "His favorite color: yellow. … He is so full of love and life."
Brownfield is the first in his family to attend college. He has been determined to make the most of his time on campus.
"As a student-athlete, I've worked to create spaces where others feel seen, heard and valued. Whether it's through my involvement with the Black Student Union, speaking up in team environments, or advocating for mental health and inclusion, I strive to make sure every student, especially those from marginalized communities, knows they belong," he said.
In his free time, Brownfield has volunteered for psychology-focused nonprofits. This experience has deepened his understanding of how essential diverse voices are in both sports and mental health.
He even headed to the NCAA national office in May for theCareer in Sports Forum.
"The overall experience of being able to listen to people who are certified in their careers while listening to their struggles has been inspiring," he said. "It's not easy for anybody. They didn't feel confident 100% of the time, but they still did it.
"That's how you build confidence, by putting yourself in those uncomfortable situations to make you grow," Brownfield added.
Not everyone gets afforded the opportunity to go to college, and the first-generation student and athlete takes pride in his accomplishments.
"Every moment, every opportunity, it just makes (my parents) proud because it's everything they wanted, and I'm living it," Brownfield said.
"Everything he dreamed of has come to fruition," his father said.
AtPittsburgh-Greensburg, Brownfield will finish his final three semesters of college en route to earning a psychology degree. His psychology classes will equip him to work with children in the future. His goal: to empower children to feel seen and heard.
"Growing up, I had to battle with trying to find my identity as a gay person. There was no handbook, so I had to figure it out myself, and it took time," he said. "It was like a study of the mind."
His grandmother said whatever path Brownfield takes, becoming a mentor is at the forefront.
Brownfield has made strides in athletics and academics while committing to break barriers and promote equity in every space he enters.
"By living my truth and lifting others up along the way, I hope to show that authenticity is strength," he said.
"I want the next generation of student-athletes to know that you don't have to choose between being who you are and chasing your goals," he added. "You can be both, boldly and unapologetically."