Beat boxer. Mental health advocate. Social justice champion. 

These are some of the titles that Mira Shane holds as the bright, uplifting voice on the Michigan women’s lacrosse team.

Shane, a goalie, came to Michigan because she could be more than a lacrosse player.

Fueled by her musical passion, she stars in an a cappella group, 58 Greene, as a vocal percussionist.

Burdened by life’s pressures and expectations — traveling far from her Princeton, N.J., home and feeling isolated as a biracial athlete in a predominantly white sport — she shared her struggles with mental health in a widely released video for the school’s Athletes Connected program.

Shane is the president of Athletes for Community Transformation, which fosters mentorship opportunities for Michigan’s student-athletes. She also took part in the school’s “Expect Respect” public service announcement campaign promoting civil discourse and a diverse campus culture.

“I love to give to others, and I want to show others that it’s good to be authentic,” said Shane, who made eight starts for the Wolverines in 2018 and was named this week's Brine/US Lacrosse Player of the Week. “Help others, but also raise the voice of others that aren’t usually being heard — whether that’s through race and breaking barriers or whether that’s through sports.”

How does one get into vocal percussion and a cappella?

I found a love for singing since kindergarten, and just started making these weird noises one day. I had a lot of bodily fluids coming out, saliva and everything. I stuck with it. On a whim, I joined an a cappella group. I wouldn’t be the athlete I am today without being the musician that I am as well.

What is your favorite song to lay a beat down to?

Right now, “Never Forget You,” which is a pop tune. It has some great solos. Recently, we introduced “Respect” by Aretha Franklin. There’s some scat soloing in there that I have been doing with a good friend. That’s just a great, chart-topping song that everyone’s into. Everyone is giving their best, which is why I think I love that one so much.

You shared your mental health story in a very public way. Why did you do that?

To show others that I was struggling, too — that I am struggling. It doesn’t have to be this whole big thing. It can be small things on a bright sunny day. It was healing to do the video in and of itself, and I really hope it was healing for others as well. 

Why are these causes so important to you?

It goes back to who I am. I am biracial. My dad [Max Shane] is black, and my mom [Wendy Wright] is white. Especially as someone who has come across to certain people making assumptions as race, it’s been really important to show love and opportunity