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November 12, 2021
The Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) has partnered with Pepsi Stronger Together – PepsiCo’s philanthropic arm – to support causes important to the players. Local programming in all 12 WNBA markets will be part of the multi-year partnership in recognition of the WNBPA’s 23rd anniversary.
The kick-off occurred in Los Angeles, California with Girls on the Run LA and the LA Sparks‘ six-time All-Star and Union President Nneka Ogwumike. Girls on the Run is dedicated to helping girls build self-confidence and pursue their dreams to become community leaders. From physical activity and character development to brainstorming programs that impact the community, the organization’s range of programming results in life-changing positive effects for its participants. Its Chicago arm, Girls on the Run Chicago are past Beyond Sport Global Award entrants.
“As a child, role models I could identify with and relate to inspired me to believe in my potential for success in whatever I set my sights on. That’s why organizations like Girls on the Run are so valuable to communities and why I’m delighted to be launching the WNBPA’s partnership with Pepsi Stronger Together,” said Ogwumike. “Our work together is driven by our shared mission to profoundly impact public health and wellness and inspire greatness as trailblazers for the next generation of strong, confident and phenomenal women across the program.”
Pepsi Stronger Together is pledging $50,000 to Girls on the Run LA to amplify its local community impact programs to build strong girls who grow into empowered women and community leaders – like Nneka. As part of the donation, the company will fund multiple participant-led community impact programs designed to make a difference for a locally relevant cause, decided upon by an advisory panel including Ogwumike, Terri Carmichael Jackson, Executive Director of WNBPA and Derek Lewis, President, South Division, PepsiCo Beverages North America. It will also offer hydration options and equipment for the nearly 350 girls participating in Girls on the Run LA’s 5k races scheduled for the end of this year.
After Los Angeles, Pepsi Stronger Together will work with the WNBPA to identify needs in the other 11 WNBA cities across the US to continue to give back and invest in the communities where resources are most needed.
Founded in 1998 as the first union for professional women athletes, the WNBPA has historically fostered opportunities to amplify the voices and leadership of its members, who have led the way in professional sport in the constant fight for equality and justice. The partnership represents an extension of the WNBPA’s work around public health, specifically women’s health and wellness.
“We are very proud to mark the union’s 23rd anniversary with Pepsi Stronger Together. When you #BetOnWomen you are supporting, investing and empowering girls and women which means families and communities are that much stronger – together,” said Jackson.
Pepsi Stronger Together is a national initiative to empower and engage communities around the country by providing tailored programming and resources that bring people together. It was conceived with the idea that now, more than ever, we must foster a sense of connection and belonging, starting by investing locally. The group worked closely with the OneTeam Partners, the sponsorship and licensing partner of the WNBPA, to activate the partnership. OneTeam is building a profile of meaningful partnerships for the players, which create community-based programmatic elements, furthers their social advocacy, and recognize and celebrates their diversity and commitment to public health.
As Ogwumike shared with the Insider, she sees a brand of Pepsi’s size and stature backing the players union’s initiatives as a sign of her league’s growing influence and reach. With the WNBA boasting a 49% increase in viewership year-over-year and its most-viewed postseason since 2014 this fall, the 2016 league MVP said she’s “feeling like we’re flowing in the right direction — and it feels good.”
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