Sakinah Riley is entering her sixth season as Head Cheer Coach of the Livingstone College La La’s Cheer Program. Coach Riley is a passionate mentor, program builder, and National Board Certified educator with more than 20 years of experience in public education. Throughout her career, she has coached cheerleading, dance, and track and field while also developing several community-based health and wellness programs designed to promote healthy lifestyles, leadership development, and personal growth.
Her overall mission has been to develop athletic performance artists who exemplify Blue Bear pride, demonstrate excellence in their craft, and serve as ambassadors for Livingstone College both on and off campus. Additionally, her aim has been to build the program’s coaching staff, foster cross-department relationships, and strengthen alumni involvement. Through her leadership, the program emphasizes discipline, character, school spirit, academic success, and community engagement while preparing student-athletes to represent the institution with distinction during their enrollment and in their post graduate years.
Under Coach Riley’s direction, the Livingstone College La La’s have experienced remarkable growth and achievement. The program has earned the Best Athletic Program Stone Award for three consecutive years and has been recognized as a finalist in multiple CIAA conference-wide challenges. The team also earned the 2026 Stomp and Shake Cheerleading People’s Choice Award, highlighting both their competitive success and crowd appeal. These distinctions reflect support from the student body, alumni, and a growing fan base.
Coach Riley has also led the La La’s to perform at semi-professional sporting events, gain recognition during the Charlotte Hornets’ inaugural HBCU Night, and attract international recruitment interest, further elevating the program’s reputation and reach. Her commitment to excellence and innovation has helped position the Livingstone College Cheer Program as a growing force within collegiate cheer and performance culture. She has expanded the program’s visibility and impact by launching the annual Livingstone College Performance Fall Clinic and the LC Winter Takeover, creating opportunities for recruitment, skill development, and community outreach.
In 2026, Coach Riley guided the program to a historic milestone by leading the team into Livingstone College’s first-ever cheerleading competition. Competing at the 2026 National Black Cheerleading Competition Collegiate, the La La’s captured first-place honors in both the Collegiate Stunt Tumble and Time Out Dance categories. Known for her dedication to student development, Coach Riley strives to create an environment where athletes grow as performers, leaders, and future professionals. Her influence extends beyond the sidelines as she remains committed to empowering young people through education, service, and mentorship.
Coach Riley earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Saint Augustine’s University, where she was a member of the cheerleading team, and later earned a Master’s degree in Education from UNC Charlotte. Between degree programs, she continued her passion for cheerleading by performing with semi-professional teams in South Carolina. Throughout her career, she has coached cheerleading, dance, and track and field while also developing community-based health and wellness programs designed to promote healthy lifestyles, leadership development, and personal growth.
Outside of coaching, Coach Riley enjoys spending time with her family as a devoted wife and mother. As a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, she also dedicates time to community service and awareness initiatives. Her interests in art, travel, and fitness reflect her belief in creativity, exploration, wellness, and lifelong learning. Through her leadership and vision, Coach Riley continues to leave a lasting impact on the Livingstone College community and the next generation of student-athletes.
