Philanthropists, Entrepreneurs, and NBA Superstars Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, and Dwyane Wade Launch ‘SOCIAL CHANGE FUND’
Fund to Invest in and Support Organizations Focused on Empowering Communities of Color and Advocating for the Human Rights of All Black Lives
LOS ANGELES (JULY 22, 2020) – Philanthropists, entrepreneurs, and NBA superstars Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, and Dwyane Wade announced today the launch of the Social Change Fund, dedicated to investing in and supporting organizations that advocate for communities of color through long-term policy solutions, community representation, and narrative change.
Anthony, Paul, and Wade have been passionate and outspoken activists for social justice and equality long before their impactful speech at the 2016 ESPYS calling on their fellow athletes to promote social change. Anthony founded the Carmelo Anthony Foundation over 15 years ago as a vehicle for actionable change focused on community impact and social reform. Anthony continues to be a champion for actionable change around the Black Lives Matter movement and progress for the Black community. The Chris Paul Family Foundation continues to provide resources that enrich and strengthen underserved communities across the country. Paul has demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing HBCUs and creating a pipeline for careers in the industry by bringing Harvard Business School’s Entertainment, Media and Sports course to North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University with the expansion to additional HBCUs in 2021. In addition, he is executive producing an upcoming HBCU basketball docuseries to shine a light on their value in sports and society. Paul is dedicated to revitalizing Black communities’ access to educational, social, and economic opportunities to ensure equal treatment. Since 2003, Wade and his foundation have provided resources and opportunities for youth from underserved communities and disadvantaged backgrounds. Wade remains committed to using his platform to help advance racial justice and LGBTQ equality and effectuate real change.
“Our mission is to address social and economic justice issues facing Black communities and break down the discriminatory barriers to success,” said Paul. “The Social Change Fund will help advance racial equality and opportunity. We will unite with other individuals who share our vision and commitment to use our collective voices and resources to advocate for change and foster a more equitable future.”
The Social Change Fund will primarily focus on critical issues including public safety and criminal justice reform, empowering communities of color by expanding access to voting and civic engagement, increasing Black representation in leadership, and building economic equity for Black people through investment in education, employment, wages, and housing.
“When all else fails to organize us, conditions will,” said Anthony. “We established the Social Change Fund to invest in and support organizations working to champion criminal justice reform, enact policy solutions, and advocate for the human rights of all Black lives now and for generations to come. I stand for everything this Fund and its beneficiaries support and will not stop pushing for progress until we see an end to the systemic racism that the Black community has faced for too long. We will keep on pushing. We will not lose focus.”
The Social Change Fund will initially be funded by contributions from Anthony, Paul, and Wade with the goal to leverage the founders’ influence in sports and entertainment to raise awareness, increase donations, and drive greater impact. Beyond Meat, Goldman Sachs, Laureus Sport for Good USA, Reform Alliance, and Creative Artists Agency’s (CAA) Managing Partners and Agency Board have also signed on to be seed funders and supporters. The Fund welcomes other individual changemakers and corporate sponsors committed to dismantling systemic racism and helping organizations build critical momentum to create equitable treatment and legislation that fosters justice and equality for all.
“The magnitude of racial inequality is staggering with Black lives socially, politically and economically marginalized,” said Wade. “We are committed to supporting organizations that directly represent and benefit the Black community with the Social Change Fund. Our goal is to create a pathway for inclusion and success by deploying the necessary funds and resources to invest in long-term change.”
Anthony, Paul, and Wade will serve on the Fund’s Founders Council, and will help determine funding priorities, elect beneficiaries, and manage relationships with donors and partners. The Social Change Fund will announce advisors and beneficiaries, including community organizations, following the launch to impact all of the Fund’s priorities. Grants will be administered through the Social Change Fund’s 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor, the Entertainment Industry Foundation, a Charity Navigator Four Star Charity that meets all 20 Better Business Bureau charity standards and carries the GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency.
For information on the Social Change Fund, visit https://www.thesocialchangefund.org/
Instagram and Twitter: @Socialchangefnd
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ABOUT CARMELO ANTHONY
Ten-time NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony is known as the consummate competitor and one of the top scorers in the league. As a four-time Olympian and the first male basketball player to win three Olympic gold medals in history, his legacy is firmly cemented in the game of basketball and continues today with the Portland Trail Blazers. Anthony has not only made a name for himself in the NBA, but equally excels off the court managing a robust business portfolio spanning fashion, venture capital, content creation, philanthropy and more. Over 15 years ago Anthony founded The Carmelo Anthony Foundation as a vehicle for actionable change and community impact that continues to support social reform and racial equality today through a variety of outreach programs, disaster relief initiatives, and donations. As a trailblazer in bridging the gap between athlete and entrepreneur, Anthony founded Melo7 Tech Partners in 2013 to invest in and develop opportunities in early stage digital media, consumer internet ventures and emerging platforms. Anthony’s hands-on approach to building his expansive enterprise extends to his other lines of business across fashion and entertainment as well, with his authentic passion for philanthropy present throughout. Anthony’s many fashion initiatives continue under his own STAYME7O fashion banner, the latest being a limited-series collection with all profits going to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. Anthony champions purpose-driven content creation across his social platforms, digital properties, and soon to be TV and film. Most recently, Anthony served as guest Editor-In-Chief of SLAM’s special #ItStopsNow issue. 100% of the proceeds from the issue will be donated to the Social Change Fund to support the fund’s initial beneficiaries.
ABOUT CHRIS PAUL
Chris Paul is a ten-time NBA All-Star and two-time Olympic Gold medalist. Paul currently plays with the Oklahoma City Thunder and previously played with the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, and New Orleans Hornets. Off the court, he’s a father, husband, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He has served as the President of the National Basketball Players Association since 2013. His business partnerships include the Jordan Brand, State Farm Insurance, Spalding, Turner Impact Capital, Muzik, WTRMLN WTR, Beyond Meat, PlayersTV, Uncharted Power, Calm, Fanatics, Panini Cards, and more. In his home state of North Carolina, he is part owner of the Winston-Salem Dash and owner of the CP3 Basketball Academy. He is the co-founder of Go Hoop Day, a day for celebrating the game of basketball worldwide, and he co-hosts The Baha Mar Showdown, the annual celebrity golf showcase created by Turner Sports and CAA Sports. His production company, Oh Dipp!!! Productions, creates content across multiple platforms and he has executive produced projects including Chapter 3, Crossroads, The Game Changers, Blackballed, and the upcoming The Day That Sports Stood Still. His foundation’s impact in local communities has earned him the NBA Community Assist Award five times. He has also received the 2016 ESPYs “Humanitarian of the Year” award and the 2016 Mannie Jackson Human Spirit Award from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame for his community efforts.
ABOUT DWYANE WADE
Dwyane Wade is a three-time NBA Champion, thirteen-time NBA All-Star, and an Olympic Gold medalist. Wade retired from the NBA after sixteen years following his 2018-19 season and his Miami HEAT number three jersey was retired earlier this year. He is a New York Times best-selling author, entrepreneur, style icon, and philanthropist. Wade’s partnerships include Li-Ning, PKWY, Hisense, MISSION, Budweiser, BallerTV, Gatorade, Wade Cellars, Mars Reel, Spades Royale, and 800° Woodfired Kitchen. Founder of 59th & Prairie Entertainment, he is an executive producer of D. Wade: Life Unexpected, the Sports Emmy-nominated documentary, Shot in the Dark, the Oscar-winning animated short, Hair Love, and the upcoming Vudu docuseries, Legacy. Through his partnership with WarnerMedia, he serves as a regular analyst for TNT’s Tuesday night NBA studio coverage and is the creative director for Bleacher Report. Wade serves as Chief Culture Officer of CAA Sports’ industry-leading basketball division and founded CAA AMP, a cultural strategy agency within CAA’s Brand Consulting division. He is a Board of Trustee member for The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Wade and his foundation have received numerous awards over the past 15+ years helping underserved communities including the NBA Cares season-long Kia Community Assist Award in 2013, the BET Humanitarian Award, and the 2017 Mannie Jackson – Basketball’s Human Spirit Award.
ABOUT THE SOCIAL CHANGE FUND
The Social Change Fund, founded by Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, and Dwyane Wade, was established to invest in and support organizations focused on empowering communities of color and advocating for the human rights of all Black lives through the lens of policy solutions, community representation and narrative change. At launch, the Social Change Fund will support critical and timely issues impacting the Black community including ending police brutality and championing criminal justice reform, economic equity, and voting and civic engagement. All donations are tax-deductible through the Social Change Fund’s 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor, the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF). EIF is a Charity Navigator Four-Star Charity that meets all 20 Better Business Bureau charity standards and carries the GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency.
CONTACT:
For Dwyane Wade & Chris Paul:
Amy Jacobs
Rubenstein
ajacobs@rubenstein.com
Alexis Reynolds
Rubenstein
areynolds@rubenstein.com
For Carmelo Anthony:
Jaclyn Reilly
JONESWORKS
Jaclyn@jonesworks.com