Nike, Jordan Brand and Converse Get Specific on BLM Donations
Announcing the first round of partners who’ll receive funding to battle systemic racism and support the US Black community.
In early June, Nike, Jordan Brand and Converse all announced charitable initiatives in suppport of the Black Lives Matter movement and the US Black community. Now, all three brands under the Nike, Inc umbrella are getting specific on their processes, announcing the first round of partners who’ll receive direct funding.
Jordan Brand lead the pack with a 10-year, $100 million USD commitment. Its first batch of donations include $1 million to the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund and $1 million USD to the Formerly Incarcerated & Convicted People and Families Movement (FICPFM). $500k USD will go to Black Voters Matter to “support reformative practices that drive real change in the Black community.” Jordan Brand will also continue its existing Jordan Wings program, and increase grants to U.S.-based Wings partners. Even Michael Jordan himself chimed in, stating “I’m all in with Jordan Brand, the Jordan Family and our partners, who share a commitment to address the historical inequality that continues to plague Black communities in the U.S.”
Meanwhile, Nike and Converse’s four-year, $40 million USD pledge is kicking off with $1 million USD grants to the NAACP’s Empowerment Programs and Legal Defense and Educational fund, as well as Black Girls CODE, an organization that educates girls and young women of color ages 7-17 to step into STEM — science, technology, engineering and math — fields. Nike, Inc is also continuing to support the Jackie Robinson Foundation, PeacePlayers and the National Civil Rights Museum.
See links to each organization’s webpage below. Elsewhere, Banksy has donated artwork valued at $1.5 million USD to raise funds for a children’s hospital and stroke unit.
NAACP Empowerment Programs
Legal Defense Fund (LDF)
Formerly Incarcerated and Convicted Peoples and their Families Movement (FICPFM)
Black Voters Matter (Capacity Building Institute)
Black Girls CODE
Jordan Wings Program
Jackie Robinson Foundation
Peace Players
National Civil Rights Museum
