Thurgood Marshall College Fund and NIKE announce HBCU Scholarship

The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) and NIKE are proud to offer financial assistance to outstanding students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Ninety-five (95) scholars will be selected to receive a scholarship of up to $10,000 for the 2024-2025 academic school year (which can only be applied to verifiable costs associated with average tuition and usual fees).

 

Eligibility Requirements: 

• Be enrolled full-time as a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior at a select HBCU during the 2024-2025 academic school year.
• Must attend one of the following schools:
  • Atlanta University Center Consortium (Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, or Spelman College)
  • Hampton University
  • LeMoyne-Owen College
  • Morgan State University
  • North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University
  • Tennessee State University
  • Texas Southern University
  • Tuskegee University
• Current cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
• Must have the 2024-2025 FAFSA on file at your selected university/college by the time of selection.
• Able to demonstrate a financial need.
• Be a U.S. Citizen or legal permanent resident with a valid permanent resident card or passport stamped I-551.

 

How to Apply

All Applicants Must: 

• Answer the following statement (Video – maximum of 2 minutes)
  • Tell us about a time when you succeeded or failed. What were your learnings from the experience?

 

Application Dates

This application opens January 16, 2024, and closes March 8, 2024, at 11:59 PM ET – Eastern Time.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

Nike Honors Baseball Legend Jackie Robinson With Nike Dunk Low (Jackie Robinson)

Releasing the day of the Major League Baseball All-Star Game in Los Angeles, the Nike Dunk Low (Jackie Robinson) honors the impact of the LA-raised second baseman for breaking the league’s color barrier.

Printed across the design is Robinson’s famous 1947 quote: “I’m not concerned with your liking or disliking me...All I ask is that you respect me as a human being.” The colors of the design are an aged version of his original uniform. A 75-year anniversary emblem on the tongue recognizes the year when he broke baseball’s color line for the Dodgers organization.

Nike is a longtime partner of the Jackie Robinson Foundation (JRF) and has invested nearly $3 million over the last five years, including $1 million in fiscal year 2022, to support the foundation’s scholars, its mentoring and leadership development program and its museum. Ongoing investments in both the JRF and the Play Equity Fund – where Nike made a $1.3 million investment over three years to support 13 LA grassroots organizations, specifically for Black and Latina girls in Boyle Heights and Watts – is emblematic of Nike’s belief that sport as well as its legendary figures have the power to create a better world.

The Nike Dunk Low (Jackie Robinson) releases July 19 on SNKRS, UNDFTD and at select retailers.

Nike releases statement of support for Sha’Carri Richardson after positive test

Nike released the following statement after the United States Anti-Doping Agency announced that Richardson tested positive for marijuana and will serve a 1 month suspension.

“We appreciate Sha’Carri’s honesty and accountability and will continue to support her through this time.”

Richardson has been a Nike athlete since 2019, and remains so after positive marijuana test and one-month suspension

Nike & Twitter: Juneteenth To Be Annual Paid Company Holiday

An an internal memo sent to Nike (NKE) staff , CEO John Donahoe announced that the company would recognize Juneteenth an annual paid holiday for U.S. employees.

“As many of you may know, next Friday, June 19, is Juneteenth, a day commemorating the end of slavery in the U.S. Starting this year and going forward, Nike will recognize Juneteenth as an annual paid holiday in the U.S,” he wrote. Donahoe said doing so is an “important opportunity is to better commemorate and celebrate Black history and culture.”

Twitter and Square have decided to declare Juneteenth a company holiday as well.

Twitter and Square CEO Jack Dorsey announced on Tuesday that Juneteenth, June 19, will be a holiday for employees at both companies.

He made the announcement on Twitter saying, "A day for celebration, education, and connection." He said the holiday will be honored every year moving forward.

He added that "countries and regions around the world have their own days to celebrate emancipation, and we will do the work to make those dates company holidays everywhere we are present."

Jordan Brand and Michael Jordan Statement on $100 million Commitment to the Black Community

Michael Jordan and the Jordan Brand released the following statement on it's commitment to donate $100 million to organizations dedicated to ensuring racial equality, social justice and greater access to education:

Jordan Brand is us, the Black Community.

Jordan Brand is more than one man. It has always been a family. We represent a proud family that has overcome obstacles, fought against discrimination in communities worldwide and that works every day to erase the stain of racism and the damage of injustice. The will, the work, the excellence the world has come to know is the result of one generation after another, pouring their dreams into the next.

It’s 2020, and our family now includes anyone who aspires to our way of life. Yet as much as things have changed, the worst remains the same.

Black lives matter. This isn't a controversial statement. Until the ingrained racism that allows our country’s institutions to fail is completely eradicated, we will remain committed to protecting and improving the lives of Black people.

Today, we are announcing that Michael Jordan and Jordan Brand will be donating $100 million over the next 10 years to organizations dedicated to ensuring racial equality, social justice and greater access to education.

“Through our Jordan Wings Program, we have been focused on providing access to education, mentorship and opportunity for Black youth facing the obstacles of systemic racism. But we know we can do more. In addition to the investment from NIKE Inc., we are announcing a joint commitment from Michael Jordan and Jordan Brand to donate $100 million over the next 10 years. We must join forces with the community, government and civic leaders to create a lasting impact together," said Craig Williams, President of Jordan Brand. “There is still more work for us to do to drive real impact for the Black Community. We embrace the responsibility."

Nike’s new Colin Kaepernick sneaker sells out in minutes

Nike’s new “True to 7” shoe with former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick has already sold out on the first day of its North American release, according to the company’s website.

“This Air Force 1 season, Nike partnered with a collective of collaborators to design an AF1 that connects to their life personally. Colin was identified because we believe his voice and perspective inspire many generations on and off the field,” said a Nike spokesperson in an email.

The $110 black-and-white shoe sports an embroidered portrait of Kaepernick on the heel tab, reflective Swoosh and his personal logo on the tongue.

Jenifer Lewis shows support for Kaepernick and Nike on Emmy's red carpet

Blackish star Jenifer Lewis made a statement on the 2018 Emmys red carpet with a show of support for Colin Kaepernick.

Wearing a Nike sweatshirt with a bedazzled swoosh across the chest, black leggings and black and white shoes, the Black-ish star sported the athletic look ahead of the 70th primetime Emmy awards to stand in solidarity with Kaepernick. The former San Francisco 49ers quarterback, whose kneeling protests against racial injustice during the national anthem before football games sparked a social movement last year, became the face of Nike’s new “Just Do It” campaign in September.

“I am wearing Nike to applaud them for supporting Colin Kaepernick and his protest against racial injustice and police brutality,” Lewis told Variety on the Emmys red carpet.

Lewis said she had thought about what she could do that would be a meaningful contribution. “I’ll wear Nike,” she said. “I’ll wear Nike to say thank you. Thank you for leading the resistance. We need more corporate America to stand up also.”

National Black Police Association writes letter in support of Colin Kaepernick and Nike

Many conservatives and organizations like the National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) would have you believe that all police are against Colin Kaepernick's right to protest. But in a letter to the NAPO the National Black Police Association refutes that notion and proudly announces its support for Colin Kaepernick and Nike. 

Read the NBPA letter below:

Mr. Parker:

It is with great dismay that we were made aware of a letter that you received from the National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) regarding your use of Colin Kaepernick in your new “Just Do It” advertising campaign. The National Black Police Association (NBPA) is not in agreement with NAPO on this matter, and we strongly condemn their call for police officers and their families to boycott Nike and its products.

Your inclusion of Mr. Kaepernick in your ads seems appropriate to us. We live in a country where the 1St Amendment is a right of the people. Mr. Kaepernick chose to exercise his right where his passion was on the football field. NAPO believes that Mr. Kaepernick’s choice to openly protest issues surrounding police brutality, racism and social injustices in this country makes him anti-police. On the contrary, the NBPA believes that Mr. Kaepernick’s stance is in direct alignment with what law enforcement stands for-the protection of a people, their human rights, their dignity, their safety, and their rights as American citizens. NAPO has shown an adeptness at maintaining the police status quo and the tone in their letter further validates Mr. Kaepernick’s concerns, as it undermines the trust that is needed by law enforcement in order for the profession to maintain its legitimacy. That NAPO has chosen this matter to take a stance, only perpetuates the narrative that police are racist, with no regard, acknowledgement, respect, or understanding of the issues and concerns of the African- American community.

Your quote “Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything.” is also appropriate as it relates to Mr. Kaepernick. For NAPO to presuppose that Mr. Kaepernick has not made sacrifices because he did not die on a battlefield, shows you just how out of touch NAPO is with the African-American community. We would like for them to stop their false narrative that you are not worthy of respect unless you were in the military or worked in law enforcement. The beauty of this country are the countless sacrifices that all people make in their everyday lives. The African?American community makes a sacrifice each time a life is unjustly lost at the hands of the very people who should protect them. A sacrifice is made each time the criminal justice system treats people of color as less than. A sacrifice is made each time a letter is sent asking officers to boycott a corporation, without asking those very African-American officers who are most affected, what their opinion is.

If they had asked the NBPA, we would have told them that they are out of line, and that the NBPA supports any person or group who exercises their right to peacefully protest against any form of social injustice, including police brutality and racism.

The NBPA proudly supports Nike and your use of Mr. Kaepernick in your new “Just Do It” advertising campaign. Truth and upholding the Constitutional rights of citizens, are cornerstones of leadership in policing. Our mission includes striving constantly to bridge the gap between law enforcement and our communities we are committed to ensuring equity for the community, as we work to enhance trust, legitimacy, transparency, and accountability in policing.

We will likely be buying and wearing lots of Nike products in the near future.

Best wishes,

Sonia Y.W. Pruitt

National Chairperson

Watch Colin Kaepernick's "Just Do It" Nike Ad

Nike stirred up quite a bit of controversy when they named Colin Kaepernick the new face of their "Just Do It" ad campaign. Check out Nike's new two minute "Just Do It" commercial featuring the social justice warrior.

Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything. #JustDoIt pic.twitter.com/x5TnU7Z51i

— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) September 5, 2018