Converse Embraces The Power of All Stars Through Supporting Youth Action
Some days ago, our Converse family invited us to attend their virtual 2-day All Star series that found us being introduced to a new global community powered by the next generation of creative innovators, designers, social activists & emerging leaders. The live event hosted a magnitude of, what we would call, purposeful engagements through conversations with the likes of Issa Rae, Converse CMO Jesse Stollak, Tremaine Emory, Virgil Abloh, Natasha Cloud, Samuel Ross, Converse CEO G. Scott Uzzell as well as special performances by Tobe Nwigwe, SA’s very own Nyota Parker and so many more amazing people…
Now throughout time, Converse’s iconic “All Star” sneakers have adopted as a means for expression around the world and across cultures; the canvas sneakers have been worn in moments of both rebellion and progress, change, and creativity. Last week, Converse announced a new community approach aiming to break down barriers to creative progress for a new generation of cultural game-changers by expanding the Converse All Stars program.
At its core, the program hinges on a robust community-focused ecosystem of mentorship, commission, and funding; Converse’s global network facilitating capacity building that helps young creatives gain professional experience and opportunity.
For over two years, Converse has been steadily growing, engaging, and building with a grassroots global community of more than 3,000 individuals from more than 27 cities, spanning LA to Lima, the Converse All Stars. These emerging leaders champion change in sport and culture. Connection with Converse aims to hone their creative talents and amplify their voices — supported by opportunities to co-create creative work and shape the future of Converse on its social and digital platforms.
This fall (our summer), for the first time, Converse will be opening this community to the public, inviting up to 250 creative individuals to join Converse All Stars through November 2020. New members will have the opportunity to engage with the All Star Series, an ongoing experience of one-of-a-kind workshops, conversations, and performances facilitated by Converse’s extended creative family. Past All Star Series sessions have included the likes of Tobe Nwigwe, Jefferson Hack, Virgil Abloh, and Samuel Ross (which was amazing!).
Converse’s commitment to the community is punctuated with a $1Million accelerator program dubbed Converse All Star Captains, which aims to fast-track the progress of a dozen individual All Stars who strive to define a new possible through creative action in sustainability, inclusivity, and diversity, and youth development — areas where progress is critically needed today.
In October 2020, All Stars will have the opportunity to submit individual proposals to Converse on ideas they believe will change the game. Beginning in 2021, the first annual class of Captains – which will include Mathew and White-Thorpe – will each receive a year’s worth of funding to help bring their ideas to fruition along with mentorship opportunities from Converse. This Captain’s class will also be directly and actively involved in providing feedback for and insights into Converse brand work, selecting future All Stars, and influencing experiences and programming for the community. Converse will share the collective progress made throughout the journey.
Converse All Star Captains was concepted for and by the Converse All Stars community over the course of nine months, with a core group of thirteen individuals from nine countries steering its final format. The committee includes Harvard College Student Body President and Vice President, James Mathew and Ifeoma “Ify” White-Thorpe, who unexpectedly went viral in November 2019 for their groundbreaking and inclusive undergraduate council campaign.
the new film from Converse above articulates the ambition of the community of Converse All Stars and teams four of its community members with leading creatives as mentors. Written and narrated by Ify White-Thorpe under the mentorship of Issa Rae; original music by James and Phillip Mathew under the mentorship of Tyler, the Creator, and directed by Leo Aguirre.
Watch the Behind the Scenes on the making of the film below:
To learn more, including how to join Converse All Stars, please visit: converse.com/allstars