Jared Ebanks Since 2005 Nike has paid tribute to the African-American community during Black History Month with recurring apparel and sneaker collections spanning the entirety of the Beaverton brand’s various catalogs. Committing $140 million in 2020 towards community organizations over the next decade, The Swoosh has phased the once famed regal pack of propositions toward a year-round philanthropic approach titled “Future Movement”.
As such, the 2023 BHM campaign is amplifying the pursuit of communal well-being by highlighting five different individuals from the Black community pushing forward and embodying the ideals of prioritizing their wellness in order to best serve and advance society.
Headlined by now Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant and his work with the Durant Family Foundation, the two-time NBA Champion’s journey to wellness is shepherded by the values he’s learned throughout his basketball career; ‘Black Consciousness’, perspective and vulnerability. Experiencing and understanding these foundational aspects have been directly tied to the places the game of basketball has taken Durant as he provides the next generation with adequate resources and opportunities to monitor their own mental and physical health through his charitable organizations.
“Just talking about what’s going on in your brain is key. Giving yourself up and having honest, open conversations with people contributes to your wellness,” Durant said.
Joined by Olympic track and field athlete Anna Cockrell, three-time Olympic fencer Daryl Homer, pro hockey player Saroya Tiker and rapper Watts Stix, Nike Inc. will continue to invest and support organizations dedicated to economic empowerment, social justice and fighting systemic inequalities through and beyond sport.
