This past Saturday Pharrell Williams, adidas, and Stan Smith hosted a special event at the Frederick Johnson Community Court in Harlem, NYC to launch the “Don’t Be Quiet Please” campaign. The initiative invites the local community to let their voices be heard by delivering personal messages to inspire change through love. Pharrell shared the following manifesto at the event:
“Every tennis match starts with the same two words: ‘Quiet Please’. But change can be noisy and our love can transform anything. Outside the court we will let our voices be heard as loud as we can. If you see the potential for good, speak up. Together, we can change the game for the better.”
Along with the “Don’t Be Quiet Please” campaign, Pharrell and adidas announced a partnership with HORIZONS, a non-profit organization aiming to establish tennis scholarships for children.
At the event on Saturday, along with his new adidas Tennis collection being modeled, Pharrell was spotted in a never-before-seen edition of his NMD Hu, featuring a black upper with “BREATHE” and “WALK” on opposite feet in a multicolor treatment. Pharrell also appears to have added some custom doodles to the Boost midsole. There’s no word yet on a release date, so stay tuned for any updates.
If you’re in NYC today, August 28th, you can participate in the “Don’t Be Quiet Please” campaign by visiting one of the many tennis umpire chairs placed around the city to stand on and let your own voice be heard. With special guests including Desiigner, Young M.A, Hannah Bronfman and Ally Love at various locations, find the full map of umpire chairs below.