MOVING FOR CHANGE
Last year, we made a long term commitment to making inclusivity and diversity a part of our brand DNA.
While we’d been content with letting more important & informed voices be heard, we took the time to listen to the people that mean the most; our community, and realized the power of our platform.
WHAT WE'RE DOING
We wanted to start contributing to the conversations that matter to our Ryderwear community, and use the platform we’re privileged to have to move for change in an authentic, meaningful way. We made a promise to educate ourselves, to listen and to do better as a brand.
As part of this commitment, we’ll be commemorating US Black History Month throughout February, using our platform to amplify Black voices, stories & challenges.
WHAT YOU'LL BE SEEING FROM US
We’ve spent the last two months actively working & collaborating with our Black Ryderwear athletes in the US, listening to their stories and educating ourselves.
We wanted to empower our Black athletes, and give them the independence to speak freely on whatever felt authentic to them - all we asked was how can we help share their experiences & achievements with the rest of our Ryderwear community, in a way that doesn’t reinforce stereotypes or bias.
Throughout Black History Month, we’ll be
-Sharing these conversations & stories with you on our social channels, blog and podcast. You'll be seeing NEW episodes of What The Flex? touching on everything from breaking down stereotypes in fitness to representation and positive role models.
-Publishing guest pieces from our athletes over at Ryderwear HQ
-Celebrating Black excellence in the fitness industry (something we feel we can speak authentically about).
-Bringing awareness to the challenges and hardships faced by our Black community.
WHAT WE LEARNED FROM SPEAKING TO OUR ATHLETES
Speaking to our athletes in-person and over a series of Zoom calls revealed stories of discrimination, feelings of tokenism or not belonging, being told to train or act a certain way because of their Blackness, lack of representation and a range of other microaggressions. We feel these are stories that need to be heard by our community.
You’ll be seeing these conversations on our platforms throughout Black History Month and beyond. We'll also continue to create initiatives that support organizations that assist & empower Black communities - stay tuned.
OUR CONTRIBUTORS
Catch our conversations with these athletes throughout Black History Month and beyond. We'll be continually updating this list to reflect everyone who took part.
JADE CARGILL
DES AIDEYMAN
HOW YOU CAN TAKE PART
Spare a moment to listen, learn and better understand the Black experience, in their own words.
Stay tuned to our socials and blog to keep updated as we release our conversations & content from our athletes to commemorate US Black History Month.
Let’s move for change, together.
