Custom shoes worn by players will be auctioned to raise funds for the Black Future Co-Op Fund; Symetra and Bank of America to tip-off efforts with $50,000
SEATTLE — The Seattle Storm announced today the 2022 Force4Change campaign “Kicks for Equality,” an online auction slated to run from June 19 to June 29. Force4Change is the Storm’s comprehensive social justice platform that aims to support BIPOC women, small businesses, and communities. This year, the auction will benefit the Black Future Co-Op Fund—Washington state’s first Black-women-led philanthropy looking to ignite Black generational wealth, health, and well-being. Bidding launches at 9 a.m., on June 19.
The Storm has teamed up with Clarissa Mariposa—a Mexican American independent artist based in California, to design sneakers that players will wear on June 19 against the New York Liberty at Barclays Center, in Brooklyn, N.Y. The auction will feature the player-worn custom shoes, among other items, and will conclude following the June 29 home game versus the Las Vegas Aces, at Climate Pledge Arena. The shoes will also be displayed on the concourse that night.
“We’re excited for the third annual Kicks for Equality auction. It’s a special platform to highlight an independent BIPOC artist, support a local non-profit, and bring together Storm fans and partners in action,” said Crystal Langhorne, Storm and Force4Change Director of Community Engagement. “We appreciate Clarissa Mariposa’s beautiful work and look forward to supporting the Black Future Co-Op Fund.
Storm partners Symetra and Bank of America will both tip-off the auction donation with $25,000 each for a starting contribution of $50,000 to Black Future Co-Op Fund. Fans can check out and bid on the shoes by clicking here.
“Symetra is thrilled to present the Kicks for Equality auction and join forces once again with the Storm and Bank of America in support of the Black Future Co-Op Fund. Building generational wealth is a goal that belongs to us all. That’s why Symetra’s vision is grounded in equity and inclusion and centered around creating a world where more people have access to financial freedom. We’re proud to contribute to the Black Future Co-Op Fund and its mission of building Black generational wealth, health, and well-being,” said Trinity Parker, SVP and chief marketing officer at Symetra.
“Bank of America was an early supporter of Black Future Co-Op Fund, so we are elated to have them benefit from this year’s Kicks For Equality campaign,” said Kerri Schroeder, Bank of America Seattle President. “Racial equality cannot exist without economic equality that gives all individuals and families the opportunity to build intergenerational wealth. We applaud the Storm for continuing to leverage the team’s creative capital to create and inspire change through partnership and outreach.”
The shoes, painted by Mariposa and designed by the players themselves, feature calls for racial justice with nods to Black Lives Matter and unsung heroes of the civil rights history. Storm players also chose to reflect the fight of trans kids and the victims of gun violence in America, ask for equal pay, and call for protection of children in the messages reproduced on the sneakers.
“I make color an integral part of my designs because it reminds me of my Mexican roots, which I take pride in. I like customizing shoes because it’s human nature to want to express ourselves not only with words, and feelings, but by what we wear,” said Clarissa Mariposa. “We wear what makes us happy and what is personal to us and our story as individuals—so it’s nice to be able to create designs that aid in that expression for everyone.”
ESPN is broadcasting the Storm game on June 19 at New York and ESPN sideline reporter Holly Rowe will show off a pair of custom-designed shoes with a message of protection towards women of color and reproductive rights.
Storm 360° Season Ticket Memberships, Mini Plans, and Group Experiences are all still available, along with single-game tickets to all 2022 Storm games. For more information, visit http://stormbasketball.com , or call 206-217-WNBA (9622).
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