On a Friday evening before the UNC women's soccer game against Virginia, the first-ever G Day tailgate brought together individuals with and without disabilities for a celebration of inclusivity.
More than burgers and cornhole, this event marked the launch of G Day, a new initiative co-founded by recent UNC graduate Braden Wilkinson, aimed at forming connections and building community for people with differing abilities. G Day plans to host events such as tailgates, dinners, trips to festivals and more in the upcoming months.
Moved indoors because of rain, dozens of people gathered inside of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church on Sept. 27. Some played games, while others clustered around folding tables and crafted colorful handmade signs for the soccer game.
Afterward, they headed toward Dorrance Field. For G Day, the tailgate wasn't just about celebrating a game — it was about fostering genuine relationships and creating a space where everyone, regardless of ability, could thrive.
“The games are interesting because they allow everyone to be themselves,” Wilkinson said. “I think a lot of times people with disabilities are kind of told to tone it down or be quiet or whatever. But when you're at a game, you're encouraged to get up and dance and have fun and be loud and be yourself. It allows for everyone to do exactly that.”
The roots of G Day trace back to Wilkinson's senior year at UNC, where he lived at The G House, an inclusive housing community that offers a unique living arrangement for those with and without disabilities.
He bonded with one of his roommates, Elianna Horner, an individual with cerebral palsy, over UNC basketball. Together, they attended 13 games last season, cheering on the floor. Eric Levin, co-founder of G Day and father of another G House resident, Gunnar, was inspired by these experiences and wanted to make them accessible to more people.
So, G Day was born.
