Funds will be used to support ArchCity Defenders’ RESTART Expungement Program
February 15, 2023
St. Louis, Mo. – ArchCity Defenders (ACD) is proud to announce it has been named a 2023 Black Community Commitment grantee in St. Louis, and is one of 53 organizations across the country to team up with NIKE, Inc. on this initiative focused on education innovation, economic empowerment and social justice.
“As a grantee of NIKE, Inc.’s Black Community Commitment, ArchCity Defenders believes in advocacy that is people- and community-centered. We are committed to the self-determination of our clients and their communities, and thus are committed to supporting them in building power to exert control over their own lives and destiny,” said Joe Holt, Director of Development at ArchCity Defenders. “We’re appreciative of this support from NIKE to expand the collective impact we can have together, and particularly in the area of expungement.”
ACD launched its RESTART Expungement Program to assist individuals seeking to remove past convictions or arrests from their record. ACD’s initiative to expunge records stems from our acknowledgement that, in many cases, criminal records are the result of an overwhelmingly punitive and anti-Black legal system, and make it near impossible for someone to obtain stable housing, employment, and overall stability. ACD does the laborious process of expungement at no cost to the client in order to give people the chance to restart their lives, without the shackles of a criminal record.
This month, NIKE, Inc. is announcing its $8.9 million in new investments through their Black Community Commitment initiative. This commitment is part of NIKE, Inc.’s multi-year pledge, announced in June 2020, to invest in and support national and neighborhood organizations focused on improving economic empowerment, education innovation and social justice for Black communities in the United States.
“NIKE, Inc.’s purpose is to move the world forward – breaking barriers and building community to change the game for all. Our Black Community Commitment embodies this belief and drives how we are showing up to advance racial equality for Black people,” said Karol Collymore, Senior Director of Inclusive Community for Social & Community Impact at NIKE, Inc. “These strategic investments across the United States – at both the national and local levels – have the power to fuel transformative change, and we applaud each and every organization for their focus and passionate commitment to reach and uplift their community.”
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About NIKE, Inc.’s Black Community Commitment
Fighting systemic racism and social injustice in America requires urgent action and sustained engagement — and NIKE, Inc. is committed to both. In June 2020, Nike, Converse, Jordan Brand and Michael Jordan committed a combined $140 million over 10 years to invest in and support organizations focused on economic empowerment, innovative education and social justice to address racial inequality for Black Americans. Investments go toward developing strategic national partnerships, as well as supporting local community organization that are dedicated to advancing this work. More information here.
About NIKE, Inc.
NIKE, Inc., based near Beaverton, Oregon, is the world’s leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Converse, a wholly-owned NIKE, Inc. subsidiary brand, designs, markets and distributes athletic lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories. For more information, NIKE, Inc.’s earnings releases and other financial information are available at http://investors.nike.com. Individuals can also visit http://news.nike.com and follow @NIKE to learn more.
About ArchCity Defenders
ArchCity Defenders is a holistic legal advocacy organization that combats the criminalization of poverty and state violence, especially in communities of color. ACD’s foundation of civil and criminal legal representation, social services, impact litigation, policy and media advocacy, and community collaboration achieves and inspires justice and equitable outcomes for people throughout the St. Louis region and beyond. More information is available at www.archcitydefenders.org and on social media @archcitydefenders.
Media Contact:
Z Gorley, Communications Director, ArchCity Defenders
zgorley@archcitydefenders.org
(314) 898-8185