Jordan Brand and StoryCorps Partner for “Brightness in Black” Initiative
Michael Jordan’s Jordan Brand is teaming up with StoryCorps to launch a new initiative called “Brightness in Black,” aimed at amplifying and celebrating the diverse stories within the Black community. This three-year partnership combines Jordan’s financial resources with StoryCorps’ storytelling format to challenge stereotypes and uplift the voices of everyday people.
StoryCorps, a nonprofit organization that has been collecting stories from individuals across the country for the past 20 years, focuses on giving people a platform to share their own narratives in their own words. These stories are not only shared on StoryCorps’ platforms but are also archived in the Library of Congress, ensuring that they become a part of our collective history.
The Jordan Brand’s commitment to the Black community is unwavering, with President Sarah Mensah stating that it is central to the brand’s identity. The Brightness in Black initiative encourages Black individuals to share their personal stories of triumph, challenges, resilience, and gratitude, reclaiming the narratives that are often oversimplified or one-dimensional.
Understanding that the Black experience is multifaceted and varies from region to region, StoryCorps and Jordan Brand will be traveling to different locations nationwide to capture these stories. This year, the initiative will focus on Atlanta and Philadelphia, with plans to expand to four other anchor cities.
To support this work, StoryCorps and Jordan Brand have launched a fellowship program for students attending HBCUs or community colleges in the Anchor Community regions. These fellows will play a crucial role in bringing the mission of Brightness in Black to life, serving as interview facilitators and participating in community learning workshops.
Overall, the Brightness in Black initiative aims to amplify the voices of everyday people within the Black community, challenging stereotypes and celebrating the richness and diversity of Black experiences. Through intentional storytelling and community engagement, this partnership between Jordan Brand and StoryCorps seeks to create a lasting impact on narrative change and representation.