After releasing “Sneaker Law V1” in September 2020, the legal expert duo returned four years later with “Sneaker Law V2.” These books, which are widely regarded as go-to resources for both current and prospective industry professionals, are available now wherever books are sold.

“Sneaker Law V2” released on Sept. 10 and retails for $150.

Aside from being authors and sneaker aficionados, the resume’s of both Anand and Goldstein should offer any reader confidence that they are trusted legal sources.

Goldstein, for instance, is an adjunct professor at several law schools, including the University of Miami and Georgia State University, in addition to his role as a guest lecturer at Harvard and the Parsons School of Design.

As for Anand, he currently is the director of client relations at Jayaram Law, and formerly was the general counsel at Yeezy. And like Goldstein, Anand is also a guest lecturer at Harvard and the Parsons School of Design, as well as an adjunct professor at the University of Miami and Georgia State University.

Here, Anand and Goldstein offer insights into the making of “Sneaker Law V2” with FN and takeaways since its release.

On What They Learned Writing ‘Sneaker Law V2’

Kenneth Anand: “Writing Sneaker Law V2 was a reflection of how much the sneaker industry has evolved since our first book released in 2021. We learned the importance of staying agile and responsive to new trends, from sustainability and the rise of direct-to-consumer brands to legal challenges like intellectual property battles and emerging tech like NFTs and the metaverse. It pushed us to dig deeper into the intersections of law, business and culture to ensure the book remained not only relevant but a step ahead.”

On How They Improved From V1 to V2

Jared Goldstein: “‘Sneaker Law V1’ was like our debut mixtape or album. As groundbreaking and successful Sneaker Law V1 was, we knew that our best work was ahead of us. With V1, there were areas that we wanted to dive in deeper on and content we realized we were missing. When writing ‘Sneaker Law V2,’ we left no stone unturned. We hit you from every possible angle and created an all-encompassing encyclopedia for the sneaker business. V2 is twice the size of V1. It’s a beast.”

On the Talents They Uncovered Writing ‘Sneaker Law V2’ That They Didn’t Realize They Had

JG: “Sneaker Law is independently published. We decided early on that we wanted complete ownership of our business and books. It would be hypocritical to teach about entrepreneurship while handing our books off to a publisher and letting them handle everything. As a result, outside of writing the book, we had to select and clear all of the images (there are over 1,000 images in V2), design the cover and interior, find and work with an editor, source a manufacturer, handle marketing and distribution, interface with wholesalers and retailers and much more. Kenenth and I can now write a book about what it takes to publish a book.”

On What They Would Like to Accomplish After Seeing the Success of ‘Sneaker Law V2’

KA: “The overwhelming success of ‘Sneaker Law V2’ has reaffirmed our belief that there’s a real demand for accessible legal and business education tailored to creatives and entrepreneurs. We hope this book inspires educators to integrate unconventional topics like ours into their curriculums, breaking the mold of traditional education. Beyond that, we want to continue empowering individuals — whether it’s through universities, high schools, or community programs — to turn their passions into sustainable careers. Expanding our reach to underserved communities and introducing this knowledge to a broader audience is also a key priority. We’ve got some exciting initiatives in the works that are focused on reaching the students that can’t get into Harvard, Yale, Parsons or anywhere else Sneaker Law has been taught.”

On the Support They Have Received

JG: “The support we’ve received has been incredible. From entrepreneurs starting their own businesses who used Sneaker Law as their guide to seasoned and jaded lawyers getting inspired that they can have fun in their profession again to sneakerheads raving about the book, Sneaker Law has impacted so many people. This was on full display during our ‘Sneaker Law V2’ launch party. Friends, family and supporters came out in droves to celebrate V2. We had law school professors mixing and mingling with superstars like Kid Cudi. Where else can you find that? And that’s really the essence of Sneaker Law. We are converging different cultures and disciplines through one common bond — sneakers.”

On Why People Should Buy ‘Sneaker Law V2’

KA: “It’s simply the greatest sneaker book of all time. Never has there been one book that contains this wealth of knowledge and information, all presented in a relatable and visually engaging way. Beyond sneakers, reading this book is like getting a mini law and business degree; there’s so many gems in there for the aspiring entrepreneur, designer, lawyer, or general enthusiast. We could have easily doubled the price of this book like most legal textbooks, but we’ve done everything we can to keep the cost down while delivering a premium product. We’re really proud of V2 and we know our readers are benefiting from the work we put into it.”

About the Author

Peter Verry is the Senior News and Features Editor for Athletic and Outdoor at Footwear News. He oversees coverage of the two fast-paced and ultracompetitive markets, which includes conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders and writing stories on sneakers and outdoor shoes. He is a lifelong sneaker addict (and shares his newest purchases via @peterverry on Instagram) and spends most of his free time on a trail. He holds an M.A. in journalism from Hofstra University and can be reached at peter.verry@footwearnews.com.

According to executive outplacement firm Challenger, Grey & Christmas Inc., 1,824 CEOs left their posts in the first 10 months of 2024 — a 19 percent increase from the same time period in 2023 and the highest total for that time frame since the company started tracking exits in 2002.

Within footwear and retail, CEO departures abounded for a variety of reasons. In some cases, executives moved on to new opportunities. In others, boards decided to bring on a new face to help facilitate change at a faster pace.

Below are some of the biggest CEO changes in footwear that occurred this year.

Nike

Elliott Hill, a company veteran of 32 years, succeeded John Donahoe as the CEO of Nike in October.

The executive shift followed a wave of analyst and investor scrutiny directed at Donahoe and the downward direction of Nike’s recent performance. Throughout 2024, Nike continued to lose share in crucial categories like running and had been criticized for its lack of innovative products. In December, Nike announced a new round of layoffs — which have been taking effect this year — in tandem with a plan to cut costs improve its innovation pipeline.

Hill served in several leadership roles at the Swoosh before retiring in 2020. His latest appointment announcement was met with praise from employees and The Street, though analysts cautioned that it could take several quarters for him to fix the company’s longstanding issues. Since he rejoined Nike, Hill has focused his efforts on reinvigorating the wholesale channel as well as improving innovation and company culture.

Under Armour

In March, Stephanie Linnartz stepped down from her role as president, chief executive officer and a member of the board at Under Armour, effective April 1. She was replaced by Kevin Plank, the brand’s founder and former CEO.

During her nearly one-year tenure at Under Armour, Linnartz made several changes to the brand’s internal team, including the hiring of Yassine Saidi as chief product officer and Kara Trent president of the Americas. She also appointed Jim Dausch as chief customer officer, Shawn Curran as chief supply chain officer, John Varvatos as head of design and Amanda Miller as chief communications officer.

Linnartz also spearheaded a strategy she called Protect This House 3, which was designed to raise awareness of the Under Armour brand, deliver elevated designs and products to boost U.S. sales and maintain the company’s momentum overseas.

Deckers Brands

After taking Deckers Brands to new heights as president and chief executive officer, Dave Powers announced in February that he would step down from his post in August. Stefano Caroti, the company’s chief commercial officer, took over for Powers upon his retirement.

Powers joined Deckers as president of direct-to-consumer in August 2012. He was then appointed president of omni-channel in January 2014, later becoming the company’s president in March 2015. He took over as CEO in June 2016. Dave Powers was inducted into the Hall of Fame at the 38th annual FN Achievement Awards in December.

Allbirds

Allbirds co-founder and chief executive officer Joey Zwillinger stepped down from the role in March and remained with the company as a member of the board of directors and special advisor. The company elevated chief operating officer Joe Vernachio to the CEO role and added him to the board of directors

The CEO transition came at a crucial time for Allbirds, when it was one year into its business turnaround plan it outlined in March 2023. This strategy focused on revamping product, optimizing U.S. distribution and store profitability, re-evaluating its international strategy and improving cost savings.

Brooks

Jim Weber, the longtime CEO of Brooks, stepped down from the role in March after 23 years. Under his leadership, Brooks transformed from a company that was close to bankruptcy — which he addressed in his book, “Running With Purpose: How Brooks Outpaced Goliath Competitors to Lead the Pack” — into a billion-dollar brand. Brooks president and chief operating officer Dan Sheridan replaced Weber in April.

In October, the Seattle-based performance running brand reported that it surpassed $1 billion in global revenue year to date through September, marking the first time the company has hit the major milestone prior to the start of its fourth quarter.

Toms

Toms chief executive officer Magnus Wedhammar announced in October that he had accepted a new role as CEO of Moovlab, a company that makes technology for “active seating” to improve the lives of people while they are sitting.

Wedhammar joined Toms in 2020 shortly after founder Blake Mycoskie and private equity firm Bain Capital ceded control of the brand to a group of creditors to provide debt relief to the shoe company, which had been dogged by negative credit ratings and bankruptcy rumors. Wedhammar helped the brand execute a turnaround which, in part, included pivoting away from relying too much on the Alpargata.

Allbirds’ former chief transformation officer Jared Fix joined as Toms’ CEO in July.

StockX

Scott Cutler, who held the chief executive officer role at StockX for more than five years, announced in November that he would step down from the post at the end of the year. He will be replaced by Greg Schwartz, the co-founder, president and chief operating officer of StockX.

During Cutler’s time at StockX, the marketplace experienced rapid growth and it focused on category expansion, the entry into new markets and growing its ever-expanding consumer base into the millions. Cutler also managed the company through the pandemic, and amid several macroeconomic challenges over the past five years, oversaw several restructurings. At the start of 2024, StockX underwent a round of layoffs that impacted dozens of employees.

Boot Barn

Boot Barn president and chief executive officer Jim Conroy stepped down in late November to become CEO of Ross Stores, effective Feb. 2, 2025. He served as president and CEO of Boot Barn since 2012.

In his place, John Hazen, the company’s chief digital officer, assumed the role of interim CEO.

Despite the change in leadership, Wall Street was still optimistic about the chain’s long term trajectory. William Blair analyst Dylan Carden said in an October note to investors that “the company is in a good position here following a decisive inflection and proven traction in new markets for a successor to execute against the remaining 500-store opportunity.”

Dr. Martens

Following a turbulent tenure packed with profit warnings, and a decline in sales in the U.S., its largest market, Kenny Wilson stepped down as chief executive officer of Dr. Martens plc. The footwear company said it named Ije Nwokorie, currently chief brand officer, to succeed Wilson. Both executives will work together until Wilson steps down at the end of the financial year.

Rothy’s

Rothy’s in January tapped retail veteran Jenny Ming as chief executive officer. With this change, Rothy’s cofounder Stephen Hawthornthwaite stepped down from his role as CEO but remained on as a chairman of the board, advising on key strategies.

Ming, who has been on the Rothy’s board since 2022, built her reputation at Gap Inc., which she joined in 1986 and where she held various executive roles, most notably as cofounder (along with Mickey Drexler) and president of Old Navy from 1993 through 2006. She was instrumental in the impressive national rollout of Old Navy in the U.S. and Canada. Ming later served as president and CEO of Charlotte Russe from 2010 to 2019. She currently serves on the boards of Levi Strauss & Co., Kendra Scott, and Kaiser Foundation Health Plan & Hospitals.

Clarks

Clarks chief executive officer Jonathan Ram left the company in April after two years at the helm. When contacted by FN, a Clarks spokesperson said that Ram made the decision to leave the company to “pursue other opportunities.”

Ram joined Clarks in April 2022 after serving as the group president for global activewear at Hanesbrands Inc. Prior to that, he spent 16 years in various roles at New Balance, culminating in serving as executive vice president of North America.

At the time of his appointment, Ram was the fourth person to take on the top executive role at Clarks in the last four years, excluding interim leaders in the position.

The film was directed by Julien and Justen Turner, aka the Turner Brothers, who have collaborated in the past with A Ma Maniére’s parent company The Whitaker Group. A myriad of prominent figures from the fashion industry are featured in the film, including Angelo Baque, Hebru Brantley and Nina Chanel Abney, to name a few.

Part of the celebrations honoring 10 years of A Ma Maniére, a description of the film reads, “At the heart of the story is the Creative Resource Agency (CRA), an entity that plays a central role in the plot tying all the characters together: the CRA is the agency that was created to actualize the concept of a ‘Black Tax’ on minority creatives around the world, targeting those who are leading the creation of culture that influences society, including the movie’s characters.”

After its stop at the historic Apollo, “While You Were Sleeping” is heading to The Gathering Spot in Atlanta, Vintage Park in Houston and the Eaton Hotel in Washington, D.C. Additionally, screenings will be held at Cinelounge in Los Angeles from Dec. 18-25.

Ahead of the film’s release, A Ma Maniére also collaborated with Nike, Jordan Brand and Converse on a special collection commemorating its 10-year milestone.

The brand announced that the relationship with Dauwalter, who has been sponsored by Salomon since 2017, has been renewed for an additional 5 years, until 2029.

What’s more, Salomon stated Dauwalter will continue racing “until she feels that she has reached the end of her competitive career” and will then transition to a new role as a full-time employee “focused on athlete mentoring, product development and marketing.”

“In 2017, the Salomon U.S. team took a chance on me and added me as an ambassador. They sent a box with some pairs of shoes and a few running outfits. They told me they believed in me and had no problem when I asked for my shorts to come from the men’s line. I was over the moon,” Dauwalter said in a statement. “Walking down memory lane, that same year I ran the Moab 240. Who knew it would be the start of such a special relationship.”

She continued, “I’m so thankful that what we started seven years ago is still rolling and growing. Excited to continue this party, stay tuned for some cool stuff we’re working on together.”

Dauwalter is quite accomplished in her legendary career, including becoming the first runner ever, male or female, to win the Western States, Hardrock and UTMB in a single season in 2023. She also holds the women’s course records for the Hardrock 100, Mount Fuji 100 and the Western States 100.

Salomon confirmed Dauwalter in 2025 will compete in three races: Cocodona 250 (May), Lavaredo 120K (June) and UTMB (August).

Also in 2025, Salomon confirmed it will release a new “Shortney” collection, which the brand and Dauwalter began in 2022, which will include a limited-edition S/Lab Genesis shoe.

“She is a constant source of inspiration to our product and marketing teams, contributing to unique apparel and footwear collaborations. She is also a role model to our running athletes who look up to her for her achievements, amazing mindset of perseverance and her kindness,” Salomon global chief brand officer Scott Mellin said in a statement. “We are delighted to continue working with her in the future and thrilled to see what more she can bring to Salomon, and in turn how she develops in the next phase of life as a professional within Salomon.”

About the Author

Peter Verry is the Senior News and Features Editor for Athletic and Outdoor at Footwear News. He oversees coverage of the two fast-paced and ultracompetitive markets, which includes conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders and writing stories on sneakers and outdoor shoes. He is a lifelong sneaker addict (and shares his newest purchases via @peterverry on Instagram) and spends most of his free time on a trail. He holds an M.A. in journalism from Hofstra University and can be reached at peter.verry@footwearnews.com.

On Thursday, Reebok and the WNBA announced a multiyear partnership, with the athletic brand becoming an authorized footwear supplier for the league.

“It’s an exciting time for Reebok, the WNBA and the game of basketball overall,” Reebok Basketball president Shaquille O’Neal said in a statement. “Reebok has always been committed to supporting the growth of the sport, and now with a strong plan, the right resources and the welcoming arms of the WNBA, we’re ready to dive in headfirst with everything from product to players and more.”

In an email to FN, Reebok confirmed that this is kicking off a strategic partnership with the WNBA for future activation and marketing opportunities, in addition to now being able to outfit its athletes in Reebok footwear on court without restrictions.

Reebok has increased its efforts in basketball as of late, starting with naming O’Neal president of Reebok Basketball and Allen Iverson as vice president in October 2023. However, its most notable move in the sport was the signing of Angel Reese — the 2024 FNAA Style Influencer of the Year — in October 2023.

Reebok has empowered Reese to explore her more fashionable side, most notably with her Reebok by Angel collection in August, and tapped her to reveal a new performance shoe, the Engine A, also in August. What’s more, Reebok will release Reese’s first-ever signature shoe in 2026.

Aside from Reese, Lexie Brown of the Los Angeles Sparks has also been a longtime ambassador of the brand.

“Reebok has been such an amazing partner and advocate for women in sport,” Reese said in a statement. “As strong female athletes, we can use our platform to set an example for young players coming up in the sport. I’m happy to see the WNBA and Reebok supporting one another because I know that together we’re so much stronger and our reach is so much further.”

Though Reebok is the latest brand to do a deal with the WNBA, it’s not the only athletic powerhouse aligned with the league.

For instance, Nike announced a contract extension in October with the WNBA, as well as the NBA and the NBA G League, to become the official apparel and uniform provider through 2037. The 12-year extension, Nike confirmed in a statement, includes merchandising, outfitting, marketing and content partnerships. It also includes a new joint membership program for fans across the leagues and an investment in programs to make basketball and athletics more accessible to youth of all backgrounds.

And in July, New Balance and the WNBA announced a multiyear agreement aimed “at elevating women’s sports and inspiring the next generation of fans and athletes alike.” Not only did New Balance become an official partner of the WNBA, but New Balance confirmed it will create broadcast, digital and retail content as part of the deal that features Cameron Brink, one of the stars of the 2024 WNBA draft class. The statement further explained that the partnership will allow for Brink to “continue empowering young athletes to fearlessly overcome obstacles and pursue their dreams, both in basketball and in life.”

About the Author

Peter Verry is the Senior News and Features Editor for Athletic and Outdoor at Footwear News. He oversees coverage of the two fast-paced and ultracompetitive markets, which includes conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders and writing stories on sneakers and outdoor shoes. He is a lifelong sneaker addict (and shares his newest purchases via @peterverry on Instagram) and spends most of his free time on a trail. He holds an M.A. in journalism from Hofstra University and can be reached at peter.verry@footwearnews.com.

In fact, when the American footwear company was purchased by BasicNet from Wolverine Worldwide for $14.25 million in 2017, almost 90 percent of its sales in the spring/summer seasons came from boat shoes, Sebago global brand manager and creative director Marco Tamponi told FN in an interview.

“It’s clear that the next trend seems to be the boat shoe, thanks to some of the most important luxury brands who have shown them in recent collections, including Miu Miu and many others,” Tamponi said. “I mean, the Miu Miu boat shoe is clearly inspired by a Sebago shape from the ‘80s, but we are very happy to inspire them, and we are starting to see the trends translating into sales in our Docksides’ business.”

According to Tamponi, the company has been in the midst of an ambitious store opening plan in Europe. “When we acquired Sebago in 2017, we waited a couple of years to start opening our retail stores because we had to better understand the real aesthetic and how to merchandise the product,” Tamponi said. “We also wanted to wait until we had a full lifestyle offering to share between footwear, apparel and accessories. So, in 2019, we started to open retail shops to better communicate the full brand experience.”

Currently, the executive noted that Sebago has 14 stores in Europe, with most of them located in Italy – including its Milan flagship, a store in Torino, Rome, Genoa and Bari. Also, there’s two seasonal stores in Sardinia and Sicily that open for six months out of the year. Outside of Italy, there are locations in Spain, France, Belgium and Portugal. Plus, there are three stores in South Africa – one in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town.

New for 2025, Sebago is slated to open its first London store at the end of January. Tamponi told FN that it will be located on Kings Road. And more are on the way.

“By the end of 2026, we will open two more shops in Italy, and we are also focused on some of the better locations in France that we are missing, such as Bordeaux, and we are also missing Monaco,” Tamponi noted. “Retail is a big portion of the new strategy of the brand, so we are really focused on where we open next.”

Meanwhile, in the U.S., things are a little quieter for Sebago.

“It’s always been a challenging market in terms of retail, and in the last six to seven years the situation got even more difficult for brick-and-mortar businesses,” Tamponi admitted.  “Costs are incredibly high, and it’s very difficult to decide where to open a flagship shop. Of course, there’s Manhattan, but we’re not sure if that’s the right visibility for the brand. So, we are thinking it’s still an ongoing discussion with our partner there about how to put the brand back in its natural habitat.”

And even though Sebago may now be run by Italians, Tamponi and BasicNet are certainly making sure to tap into the brand’s American roots. The executive noted that the company is looking for a coastal location in the Hamptons or in New England to set up shop.

“I think having a store back in the roots of the brand is incredibly important,” Tamponi said. “But in the meantime, our direct-to-consumer business in the U.S. is great. We just need to understand further what the best strategy is in order to put the brand back on the streets of America. Perhaps it’s not in the bigger cities at all. I think it needs to be surrounded by the people who already live and understand the lifestyle of Sebago.”

Looking ahead, Tamponi foresees a busy 2025. “We are set to launch three major collaborations next year,” the executive revealed. “We are also placing more focus on our Asia business – especially in key markets like South Korea and Japan – while also making sure to engage and to reach more American consumers and to communicate more about the evolution of the brand over the last few years.”

FN caught up with the Las Vegas Aces star in July during WNBA All-Star Weekend in Phoenix. At the time, Wilson was midway through a stellar season, a year that would end with several records broken and a third Most Valuable Player award win.

Also, Nike announced the two-time WNBA champion as its next signature athlete.

A day after news broke of a contract extension with Nike for Wilson, which was reported as a six-year extension that is “one of the richest shoe deals for a women’s basketball player,” FN looks back to its July cover shoot with the megastar athlete. Here are the best quotes from the exclusive conversation.

On Being the First Black Woman With a Signature Basketball Shoe Since Candace Parker

“To be the next Black woman with a signature shoe, oh my gosh, I am so excited for next year. I can’t contain it. It’s such a big moment. When [the news] first dropped, Coach [Dawn] Staley hit me, Sheryl [Swoopes] hit me, Lisa [Leslie] hit me and they were all like, ‘You deserve this.’ To have greats, Hall of Famers like that say that to me, I was like, ‘God, thank you.’”

On the Wait to Become a Signature Athlete

“You work your ass off to get where you are, and yet you are still in a situation like, ‘Am I good enough? Am I enough? What do I need to show to you guys?’ I ran into that with Nike. But on the flip side, Nike was like, ‘No, you are enough. You have to trust the process.’”

On Responding to Social Media Chatter That She Only Got a Shoe Deal Because of Caitlin Clark

“The conversation [on social media] was like, ‘Now you have a shoe because of Caitlin.’ No, it was never that. What is for me was always going to be for me, with or without this rookie class. I promise you that. Nike taught me a lot about being patient. My patience was definitely tested, but I’m grateful because trusting that process, I now have a shoe that I’m happy with.”

On Her A’One Sneaker

“When people look at my position in basketball, they think of a big-man shoe, a forward or center shoe. The A’One is not that. It is the complete opposite. It’s very versatile because that is my style of play. And I wanted a shoe that was going to be comfortable and durable for 40 minutes because the last thing I want to worry about on court are my shoes. And it’s a low top.”

On the Disrespect Black Woman Have Faced Historically

“Like Malcolm X said, ‘The most disrespected person in the world is the Black woman.’ Every day you’re fighting a battle. You can wake up and the world hates you or the world loves you. Navigating that is something I’ve started to learn how to do, and I’ve done it vocally, which has really helped me. It helped me realize that I’m not by myself.”

On the Importance of Her Book, ‘Dear Black Girls: How to Be True to You’

“Growing up, it was hard for me to speak on these things because I went to private school with only 5 percent Black kids. I couldn’t have these conversations because no one looked like me. As I got older, I started to be in tune with myself and was like, I don’t care who’s in the room, I’m going to say what I have to say because I need to be heard.”

On the Origins of Her Iconic Single-Leg Sleeve

“I wore it because my leg was not working. … At the University of South Carolina, Coach Staley was strict about our uniform. We weren’t allowed to wear sleeves unless it was medically cleared. In training camp [with the Aces], I was like, ‘Oh my God, my leg is not here today’ — my left leg, the one I use the most because I’m left-handed. So I tried the sleeve, but I cut the other one off because I wasn’t used to wearing sleeves and I hated it.”

On Her Undeniable Impact on Women’s Basketball

“[My agent], Jade [English], was at a regional and she sent a picture. Of the 10 girls on the court, eight of them had one leg sleeve. She was like, ‘Look at the A’ja Wilson effect.’”

On Her Nike Air Force 1 Obsession — and Need for Two Different Sizes

“This is going to sound crazy, but one foot is bigger than the other. I have 11.5 and 11 because I like my Forces snug, but the way that I walk, one shoe will crease, so I’ve got to rotate them because I can’t have them creased.”

On What It Would Take for Pharrell to Recruit Her to Louis Vuitton

“Pharrell could just knock on my door. Knock on my door with one of those iridescent Louis duffels, put an A logo on there and I’m set. I can come to a couple shows, sit there, look all interested in the people walking. It doesn’t take much to make me happy.”

About the Author

Peter Verry is the Senior News and Features Editor for Athletic and Outdoor at Footwear News. He oversees coverage of the two fast-paced and ultracompetitive markets, which includes conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders and writing stories on sneakers and outdoor shoes. He is a lifelong sneaker addict (and shares his newest purchases via @peterverry on Instagram) and spends most of his free time on a trail. He holds an M.A. in journalism from Hofstra University and can be reached at peter.verry@footwearnews.com.

Nike, which has been helmed by company veteran Elliott Hill since October, has implemented a deep promotional strategy to manage higher levels of inventory that have accumulated as a result of slower than expected retail sales. Nike also set out to reduce the presence of its popular franchises, such as the Air Force 1, Air Jordan 1 and Dunk, to reset demand for these key franchises.

These measures are part of a broader turnaround plan, helmed by Hill, designed to get Nike back on track after several quarters of falling sales and criticism regarding lack of innovation. It is still early on in the process, but analysts are overall upbeat about the Swoosh’s potential for growth in the long term.

According to Williams Trading analyst Sam Poser, Nike’s current promotional actions will likely translate into sluggish Q2 sales results. But the overarching benefits to brand health will likely ultimately pay off.

“Mr. Hill has cut the bandage off, which will quickly create a base for the business,” Poser said in a Dec. 11 note to investors. “We expect an aggressive promotional stance will remain in place through Q3 and begin to moderate in Q4.”

Stifel analyst Jim Duffy had a similar view, describing fiscal year of 2025 as a “transition year” for the company. While Duffy gave the stock a “hold” rating, he remained positive about the potential for a broader turnaround under Hill.

“We expect Mr. Hill is upbeat and bullish about long-term potential for the Nike and Jordan brands but forthright about near-term challenges,” Duffy wrote in a note to investors last week. “We are encouraged to see a Nike insider in the CEO role but Nike remains in reset mode and we expect it will take time to revitalize company culture and ultimately reinvigorate brand momentum.”

Hill’s turnaround hinges on several key elements including a reinvigorated innovation pipeline, an improved company culture and, perhaps most notably, a new wholesale strategy. After exiting several retail partners in 2021, Nike has started to lean back into these relationships and recently elevated Tom Peddie to the role of vice president, general manager of North America to oversee this business unit.

Several key Nike partners are already picking up on these changes. In the last few weeks, Foot Locker, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Designer Brands Inc. and JD Sports have all called out the Swoosh during calls with analysts discussing their most recent earnings results. In many cases, the chains lauded their Nike relationships and said they were looking to increase the amount of product they receive from the brand moving forward.

“We believe Hill along with VP/GM of North America Tom Peddie are the right leaders to drive a marketplace recovery,” said Baird analyst Jonathan Komp in a note to investors last week. “And any signs of positive reception to newer product introductions can reinforce confidence in brand fundamentals over the next several quarters.”

ESPN senior NBA insider Shams Charania reported via Twitter (X) on Tuesday that Wilson is signing a six-year contract extension with Nike. What’s more, Charania stated it is “one of the richest shoe deals for a women’s basketball player.”

FN has reached out to Nike for comment.

In May, Nike revealed Wilson as its next signature athlete, and confirmed her signature collection will be released globally in 2025. Also, the Swoosh revealed the name of her debut shoe: A’One.

While at WNBA All-Star Weekend in Phoenix in July, the Las Vegas Aces star spoke exclusively with FN during her cover shoot. At the time, the three-time WNBA Most Valuable Player revealed what it means to her to be the first Black woman with a signature basketball shoe since Adidas launched its last look for Candace Parker in 2011, the Ace Versatility.

“To be the next Black woman with a signature shoe, oh my gosh, I am so excited for next year. I can’t contain it,” Wilson told FN. “It’s such a big moment. When [the news] first dropped, Coach [Dawn] Staley hit me, Sheryl [Swoopes] hit me, Lisa [Leslie] hit me and they were all like, ‘You deserve this.’ To have greats, Hall of Famers like that say that to me, I was like, ‘God, thank you.'”

In October, during a press event at Nike’s headquarters in New York City, Wilson opened up about the pressures and joys of having a signature shoe.

“There is pressure when it comes to competing with other brands or just wanting to [have] the best shoe, but at the same time you don’t want the message to get lost, you don’t want the storytelling to get lost. That’s tough because there are a lot of great ideas,” Wilson said. “We have some dope shoes out there. You don’t want your shoe to be just another one. You want longevity, you want a shoe to have a name after a game you had, like the [Air Jordan 12] ‘Flu Game.’ That type of substance is a lot of pressure.”

She continued, “Sitting at the table with your team, having those hard conversations, that caught me by surprise. I thought they were going to be like, ‘Here’s a shoe, we’re just going to put your signature on it’ [Laughs.] But no, they were like, ‘We’re going to break it down,’ and I didn’t think I was ready for that, but now I am and I am so excited and thankful for my team.”

About the Author

Peter Verry is the Senior News and Features Editor for Athletic and Outdoor at Footwear News. He oversees coverage of the two fast-paced and ultracompetitive markets, which includes conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders and writing stories on sneakers and outdoor shoes. He is a lifelong sneaker addict (and shares his newest purchases via @peterverry on Instagram) and spends most of his free time on a trail. He holds an M.A. in journalism from Hofstra University and can be reached at peter.verry@footwearnews.com.

Dec. 16, 2024: Genesco Inc. fitted 330 students at Park Avenue Elementary School in Nashville, Tenn. with an early Christmas gift during its 35th annual Cold Feet Warm Shoes event on Friday. Founded in 1989, Cold Feet Warm Shoes is Genesco’s signature community outreach program. For this event, Genesco employee volunteers greeted children and sized each child for two new pairs of shoes and socks in a mock shoe store in the school’s gymnasium. The students then showed off their new items by walking on the red carpet and posing for pictures with Tennessee Titan’s mascot, T-Rac, and cheerleaders. “Joy, pure joy,” Mimi Vaughn, Genesco board chair, president and chief executive officer, said in a statement when asked to describe the morning. “To watch the joy on the faces of our employees who are volunteering and to watch the joy in the faces of those who are receiving is wonderful.”

Aug. 19, 2024: Sneaker retailer The Athlete’s Foot has teamed up with the Refugee Life Association, Youth Guidance and the Community Retail Association for the Back 2 School Kicks event in Chicago. The event will take place on Aug. 21 at 10 a.m. CT at Gately Stadium, which is located at 810 E. 103rd St. At the event, students from underserved Chicago neighborhoods will receive new sneakers, backpacks and back-to-school supplies, and there will be several athletic activities, lunch and more.

Aug. 19, 2024: New Jersey-based nonprofit Sole Scholars Foundation will host “Pleasantville Champion Packs: Elevate Your Game, Elevate Your Grades” on Aug. 24. At the event, the nonprofit will distribute school supplies and essentials — including book bags, shoes and more — to students of Pleasantville, a Title I school district. Title I schools, according to NJ.gov, are those with children from low-income families that make up at least 40 percent of enrollment, and they receive funds to operate school-wide programs. The goal is to hand out 1,500 book bags. The event will take place from 11 a.m. ET to 5 p.m. ET at the WinSan Center at Mt. Zion, located at 353 S. New Road.

Aug. 14, 2024: OluKai, a Hawaiian footwear brand, has made significant charitable efforts in the year that has passed since a catastrophic wildfire tore through Lahaina. To help alleviate the devastation in the area, the brand’s Ama OluKai Foundation has made contributions to several organizations, with the most recent five including Teachers Need Us, which helps lift the financial burden from teachers and families at Sacred Hearts School in Lahaina; the Maui Hero Project, which is a counseling program for youth survivors of the Maui wildfires; Kahākūkahi, an organization for Lahaina youth encouraging ocean sports stewardship and fostering a connection between youth and the natural world; Treecovery, a non-profit keeping trees alive within burned areas of Laina and Kula in addition to giving free trees to impacted families; and Kaiāulu Initiatives, which focuses on replacing the abandoned fallow lands above Lahaina where invasive species fuel wildfires.

June 20, 2024: World Shoe, an Africa-based antimicrobial shoe brand is partnering with Pan African Youth Union’s (PAYU) Health and Hygiene Impact Project and donating 500,000 pairs of shoes to individuals in need. Menstrual nonprofit CouldYou? is also involved in effort and will provide 50,000 menstrual cups for girls, with distribution across 15 African countries. “It’s a very significant opportunity for World Shoe to partner with the Pan African Youth Union, the CouldYou? organization, and African governments, to protect the lives of children and give adolescent girls the supplies they need to pursue education with confidence and dignity,” said Manny Ohonme, founder and president, World Shoe. “By manufacturing both the World Shoe and menstrual cups on the African continent, we are helping those most affected by poverty related diseases to heal and empower themselves.”

June 11, 2024: Soles4Souls raised $315,000 at its fourth annual Race4EveryKid event last month. The funds raised throughout the virtual movement challenge will help Soles4Souls provide 15,750 pairs of shoes to children experiencing homelessness throughout the United States. Plus, throughout the past month, participants logged over 40,200 miles in the Race4EveryKid fundraiser, sponsored by Jade Footwear and Voya Financial. Every $20 raised through Race4EveryKid supported Soles4Souls’ 4EveryKid initiative and provided a pair of new kicks to a child experiencing homelessness, allowing them to attend school, try out for a sports team and stay active.

June 3, 2024: DTLR and Puma partnered on June 1 to host a special event at the Southlake Mall in Merrillville, Ind., created to celebrate the end of the school year. The event, which tool place two days before World Bike Day on June 3, included a bike giveaway for local youth — specifically, 120 bikes and 120 helmets were donated to attending children. What’s more, for customers who purchased a pair of the Puma GV Specials in store, there was a free shoe customization from renowned local artist Dre the Shoe God.

Feb. 13, 2024: Caleres has reached $1 million milestone in donations to Soles4Souls, the organization committed to turning shoes and clothing into opportunity. This was made possible by customers rounding up at the register in store and online at Famous Footwear, and online at Caleres brand websites including Allen Edmonds, Naturalizer and Sam Edelman. The program was launched in the fall of 2023 and the funds will benefit Soles4Souls’ 4EveryKid initiative, which is committed to providing a pair of brand-new athletic shoes to students experiencing homelessness across the United States. In addition to the monetary donations, Famous Footwear customers have donated more than 15,000 of their gently used shoes in-store to the Soles4Souls 4Opportunity program. In 2022, Caleres made an initial two-year, $1 million commitment from the Caleres Cares Charitable Trust, providing both funds and new shoes to support the 4EveryKid program. The Trust commitment combined with the round-up initiative in stores and online brings the total donated to more than $2 million.

Dec. 18, 2023: For the fifth straight year, J.A.Y. Academy — the nonprofit organization founded by sneaker retail entrepreneur Eric “Shake” James — hosted its annual Adopt a Family event on the north side of Milwaukee. The event was held at the Daniels–Mardak Boys & Girls Club on Dec. 16, and was supported by Adidas Cornerstone, the athletic brand’s initiative focused on removing racial disparity by supporting businesses owned by people of color. The Christmas lists of 110 local kids were fulfilled by James and the J.A.Y. Academy, and they also received Adidas shoes, clothes, book bags and lunch. Although this is the fifth year James has hosted the Adopt a Family event with his J.A.Y. Academy, the storeowner has been doing holiday drives in Milwaukee for 10 years. “It was a pleasure to gift these amazing kids and to hear their dreams,” James told FN. “One young lady asked for a sewing machine because she wants to own her own clothing brand and promised to make me clothes for free. I’m excited for next year already.”

Oct. 5, 2023: Lâmo Sheepskin Inc. has donated more than 6,000 pairs of shoes from its Lâmo and Oomphies brands to Maui residents affected by the wildfires in August. The donations, valued at $215,000, were distributed through the Red Cross on Sept. 30 to those impacted by the Lahaina fire. According to the company, cars lined up for three miles to access the Red Cross donations. “The wildfires were devastating, and we wanted to show the people of Maui that the world is behind them,” said Brent Williams, sales rep at Lâmo Sheepskin and a Lahaina-area resident. “As a company, we knew we could do something. We pulled together as many shoes as we could and shared our love and support for the islanders.” The company was aided by its distribution center, PPM Fulfillment, and Carrier TQL and Carrier Front Line.

Sept. 22, 2023: Foot Locker partnered with Fred Jordan Missions once again for its 35th annual ‘Care for Kids’ Back-to-School Giveaway, taking place on Sept. 22 on the streets of Skid Row in Los Angeles. This event, which is one of Southern California’s longest-standing back-to-school giveaways, provides support to more than 3,000 underserved children in the community. The children receive new athletic shoes donated by Foot Locker, along with new clothing, backpacks filled with school supplies and other essential items. Joe Jordan, president of Fred Jordan Missions, said in a statement, “For many children, this will be their very first pair of brand-new shoes. This initiative, which my mother, Willie Jordan, started more than 30 years ago out of her own experience of not having shoes as a child, has been dedicated to changing the lives of children, one pair of shoes at a time.” Over the course of its history, the event has helped serve over 110,000 underprivileged children.

Sept. 15, 2023: This past weekend in Johnston & Murphy‘s hometown of Nashville, the American footwear and apparel lifestyle brand partnered with the Ted Rhodes Foundation on its annual Ted Rhodes Charity Golf Classic. The event brought together pros, Fisk University players and weekend warriors. Johnston & Murphy’s president, Danny Ewoldsen, who is an avid golfer, played alongside Fisk University’s golf coach Robert Moore as well as several players from the golf team. Johnston & Murphy also had golf personality and influencer Alexandra O’Laughlin, golf instructor to PGA pros Matt Killen, PGA golfer Ben Crane, Golf Channel’s Ned Michaels and TV personality Diggy Moreland join in on the fun. This comes as the footwear company recently outfitted Fisk University’s boys and girls golf teams for the upcoming season from Johnston & Murphy’s golf collection.

Sept. 1, 2023: The Shoe Surgeon has joined forces with 7-Eleven Inc. — specifically its 7-Eleven and Speedway banners — and nine college football players to create custom cleats for the retailer’s first Cleat Crew program. Each pair of cleats will be auctioned off during the 2023 college football season, and the proceeds will benefit Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. The proceeds from each shoe sale by auction, 7-Eleven said in a statement, will go to that player’s local member hospital. The cleat designs, the retailer stated, will be inspired by both the athletes and the 7-Eleven family of brands. The cleats will be revealed and available for auction weekly throughout the season, and 7-Eleven will disclose the full list of participating athletes and weekly auction schedule in the coming weeks. Now through Oct. 31, the retailer said 7Rewards and Speedy Rewards members who shop participating products such as Slurpee, Big Gulp, Big Bite and Red Bull either in-store or via 7Now Delivery will be entered to win a pair of limited-edition sneakers designed by The Shoe Surgeon. Two grand prize winners, 7-Eleven announced, will be able to collaborate with The Shoe Surgeon to design their own custom shoes. Also, 7-Eleven confirmed hundreds of fans will have the chance to win limited-edition shoes designed by The Shoe Surgeon through a 7Rewards and Speedy Rewards sweepstakes. Customers can earn seven extra entries by scanning their rewards app.

Aug. 30, 2023: Skechers has announced that its philanthropic Bobs from Skechers division has donated more than $10 million since the program’s launch in 2015—funds that have helped save and support 1.9 million dogs and cats in need. To celebrate the milestone, Skechers is kicking off a year-long awareness campaign with the Bobs from Skechers Paws for a Cause Design Scholarship, which will give college creatives the opportunity to design styles that improve shelter animals’ lives. The Bobs from Skechers Paws for a Cause Design Scholarship will give two students the opportunity to see their shoe designs produced and sold in the 2024 collection, and will provide $10,000 scholarships from the Skechers Foundation, one-on-one corporate mentorships and donations to local animal welfare organizations. Open to students at United States colleges and universities who will be enrolled in the 2024/2025 academic year, the Bobs from Skechers Paws for a Cause Design Scholarship will accept applications from Sept. 1 through Oct. 15, 2023. “This $10 million achievement is thanks to the passionate pet lovers who have been part of the Bobs story for the past eight years,” Michael Greenberg, president of Skechers, said in a statement. “They saw Bobs from Skechers as a positive, practical way to save lives—and their purchases have made a tremendous difference.”

Aug. 28, 2023: After 15 years of hosting back-to-school giveaways in Milwaukee, sneaker retail entrepreneur Eric “Shake” James has handed out the most shoes, backpacks and school supplies to local youth at one of his events to date. On Aug. 26, James hit his target of providing 1,001 shoes, 1,001 backpacks and 1,001 school supplies to local youth from his Black Market banner. (James also owns the nearby Sneex and Clicks stores.) James also offered entertainment and additional services to families, which included food and ice cream, a DJ, bounce houses, face painting and haircuts. The event was presented by J.A.Y. Academy, the nonprofit organization founded by James in 2022, and done in partnership with Adidas Cornerstone Community. “I started this initiative in 2008 with 50 pairs of shoes, 50 backpacks and some hats. Since then, I’ve been able to make it bigger each and every year, continuously growing the event, in hopes of serving every under served youth in Milwaukee. This year’s J.A.Y. Academy back-to-school event was one for the books,” James told FN. What’s more, although sparse on details, James confirmed with FN that he is prepared to make a “huge announcement” regarding the J.A.Y. Academy on Nov. 11.

Aug. 21, 2023: The Athlete’s Foot has announced its inaugural class of Employee IMPACT Scholarship Program 2023, where recipients will receive a $5,000 grant towards their continuing education. The scholarship program focuses on the merits of five Athlete’s Foot employees across their franchises who have shown exceptional dedication to their store and team. Recipients were nominated by a franchise partner who submitted a one-sheet write-up on each candidate to the awarding committee. This year’s class includes: Cayden Lee Usher from the Salisbury, N.C., store who will be attending Pfeiffer University and majoring in Business and Leadership; Camry Barbour from the Winston-Salem, N.C., store will attend Carolina Christian College majoring in Sports Management, Lucy Griffin from the Charleston, N.C., store will be attending the College of Charleston majoring in Communications; Anastasia Appiah from the Mableton, Ga., store will be attending Florida A&M University (FAMU) majoring in Pre-Business; and Jabari Hunte from the Barbados store will be attending the University of the West Indies Cave Hill majoring in Biochemistry with Chemistry. 

Aug. 15, 2023: During a media workout today in New York City, Altra presented a $50,000 check to the Michael J. Fox Foundation and the Bachmann-Strauss Fellowship in Dystonia Research. Altra’s donation aims to bring attention to dystonia, a neurological movement disorder, which decorated long distance runner Kara Goucher — one of its athlete ambassadors —  was diagnosed with in November 2021. “This is not just about running and podiums. This donation allows us to bring awareness to dystonia and to support what’s going on in our athlete’s life,” Altra senior manager of global brand marketing Candyce Hedlund told FN. Aside from the donation, Altra has partnered with Goucher on a special “Hope” colorway of the Paradigm 7 shoe, and $5 from every purchase goes to support Bachmann-Strauss Fellowship in Dystonia Research.

Aug. 10, 2023: To celebrate International Youth Day on Aug. 12, Teva will donate 100 percent of the marked retail price from sandal sales on Teva.com that day — up to a total guaranteed donation of $25,000 — to Camp Fire, a nonprofit dedicated to connecting young people to the outdoors and to themselves and others. “In our view, there’s nothing more important to the development of young people than to have a connection to and experiences in nature,” said Anders Bergstrom, VP and global GM of Teva Footwear at Deckers Brands.

Aug. 7, 2023: Generation S.O.S., a national nonprofit, will be hosting its annual family fundraiser to raise funds for their peer-driven program that addresses substance misuse, prevention, social pressures, coping skills, and mental health issues among teens. The event, which takes place in the Hamptons on Aug.18, will feature a conversation with Steve Madden about his personal journey, overcoming addiction, incarceration and bouncing back. TikTok’s Alex Warren, meanwhile, will perform at the benefit and discuss the importance of prioritizing mental health without stigma or shame. DJ Samantha Michelle will be the emcee of the night.

Aug. 7, 2023: Pacsun and the Los Angeles Rams have announced the continuation of their four-year partnership, which will have the retailer partnering with the NFL franchise on initiatives, activations and engagement opportunities with a goal of benefiting the youth. To commemorate the moment, Pacsun is hosting activations at Rams Training Camp in Irvine, Calif. The activations include giveaways, merchandise, prizes and more for fans, and the retailer confirmed select fans will receive a complimentary Pacsun tote bag as a gift with a purchase at the merchandise tent. Also, Pacsun stated it will offer special takeaways to participants of the inaugural Rams Football Academy youth platform who register at the training camp. Pacsun also confirmed that it will again pledge $1 million in product donations to be distributed in conjunction with the Rams, which brings the total to $3 million in product value. This continuing contribution, Pacsun stated, has impacted the lives of more than 30,000 students in recent years.

July 24, 2023: Burlington Stores is gifting 1,000 teachers with a total of $500,000 for school supplies, impacting 25,000 students nationwide and encouraging customers to join in support of AdoptAClassroom.org during this back-to-school season. This is Burlington’s seventh consecutive in-store fundraising campaign with the national nonprofit. Now through August 28, 2023, customers can round up their purchase or select a donation amount at checkout at any one of Burlington’s 933 store locations. Funds raised will benefit local high-needs classrooms nationwide, providing students with much-needed classroom materials to better learn and succeed. And earlier today, to celebrate the launch of this in-store fundraising campaign, Burlington flash funded 1,000 teachers in high-needs classrooms across the country on AdoptAClassroom.org with $500 each. These funds will help provide 25,000 students with essential classroom materials this coming school year. Michael O’Sullivan, CEO of Burlington Stores, said that the company is “proud” to continue working with AdoptAClassroom.org, to support students in high-need classrooms across the country. “Together with our generous customers and associates, we look forward to raising funds so that even more students are able to reach their full potential this school year and beyond,” O’Sullivan said.

July 19, 2023: Rack Room Shoes has revealed the winners of its 2023-24 Dr. Heinz-Horst Deichmann Scholarship Program, which helps support the educational goals of its retail associates. Five employees will receive a $2,000 renewable scholarship for the coming school year: Tyler Stephens, assistant manager in Greenwood, Ind.; James Parker, senior sales associate in Lexington, Ky.; Alyssa Bell Oberg, assistant manager in Fort Oglethorpe, Ga.; Summer Taylor, team lead in Prince Frederick, Md.; and Nancy Gabra, team lead in Indian Land, S.C. Additionally, scholarships from previous years were renewed, bringing the total recipients to 10. The winners were selected based on their outstanding commitment, dedication and leadership in their studies and in their communities.

July 10, 2023: JCPenney’s Communities Foundation has announced a $300,000 donation to support The Walking Classroom, a program of Alliance for a Healthier Generation (Healthier Generation). JCPenney said in a statement that the donation will support the purchase and distribution of 5,000 WalkKits, an audio device given to students with nearly 200 unique podcasts on a variety of academic subjects. Teachers can use the devices to take students on a walk while listening to educational podcasts aligned with state curriculum standards that are supported by lesson plans, comprehension quizzes and supplemental activities. Between 2023 and 2025, these WalkKits will reach an estimated 30,000 students in more than 150 classrooms, offering 1.2 million hours of instruction, social-emotional learning content and in-class mobility. JCPenney has initiated the partnership with a $100,000 donation to Healthier Generation.

June 30, 2023: NIB Trust Fund (NIBTF) has signed on to become an official Hudson’s Bay Foundation Charter for Change Impact Partner.  As part of this partnership, Hudson’s Bay Foundation has committed $1.2 million to NIBTF over three years, to support its mission to address the impacts of the Indian Residential school system and support Indigenous communities across Canada. This significant contribution marks a pivotal moment in NIBTF’s journey toward creating positive and sustainable impact for First Nations individuals and communities nationwide. With this relationship, NIBTF will expand its efforts to provide educational opportunities, employment programs, and empower its beneficiaries, communities, and people. “We are deeply committed to making a meaningful difference in Indigenous communities,” Sophia Hwang-Judiesch, president of Hudson’s Bay, said in a statement. “As a company, we have a responsibility to support healing and reconciliation, and contribute to the vision of Canada as a nation rooted in reconciliation, equity, and justice.  We feel very privileged to work with NIBTF in this effort.”

June 26, 2023: Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA) is teaming up once again with Soles4Souls in support of students in Washington, DC. The goal is to collectively activate the city’s trade organizations to raise funds to provide new shoes to kids experiencing homelessness. To that end, for every $20 donated, the charity will provide one child experiencing homelessness with a new pair of shoes. “We are very excited to bring the DC association community together to support these kids,” Thomas Crockett, FDRA’s Soles4theDistrict team captain said in a statement. “There are nearly 7000 homeless children in DC alone, and new shoes is a huge need for them in local schools. This is one way that we, as the industry’s trade association, can help make a real and meaningful impact in the lives of families.” To donate, please visit here.

June 12, 2023: Stuart Weitzman has made a donation to develop tennis and athletic facilities in Jerusalem and Ramat Hasharon, as part of the Israel Tennis & Education Centers (ITEC) Foundation, which helps underserved kids excel with tennis, education and other services. “I am fortunate to be able to help ITEC continue to expand its athletic and education programs,” says Weitzman, “Our future leaders come from opportunities like this. And ITEC does it as well as any organization I know.”

June 1, 2023: Keen Utility, the work boot division of Keen, has announced the six recipients of its 2023 She Builds Grant Program. The program, which launched in 2021, was created to advance the empowerment of women entering the skilled trades. What’s more, Keen Utility said the program has pledged $1 million in product and financial support to nonprofit organizations in the United States and Canada “that are leading the way to provide trade skills education and support for the next generation of tradeswomen” between 2021 and 2026. The grants — which were selected by Keen Utility and its fans — will be awarded to Black Women Build-Baltimore, British Columbia Institute of Technology’s Trades Discovery for Women, Girl’s Garage, Grid Alternative’s Women in Solar Program, Oregon Tradeswomen and Vermont Works for Women. These grants, Keen Utility said, will help provide trade skills education, expansion of workplace inclusivity training and its women’s-specific safety footwear.

May 22, 2023: Kohl’s has announced a more than $2 million donation to the American Cancer Society (ACS) over the next three years to hopes to further engage communities in cancer prevention, improve cancer screening rates, and support cancer survivors. Kohl’s partnership with ACS is built around the Kohl’s Healthy Families program, which supports the reduction of cancer risk for families in southeastern Wisconsin by increasing access to healthy foods and improving opportunities to become more active. As a component of their continued partnership, Kohl’s and ACS have announced this year’s recipients of the Healthy Eating & Active Living (HEAL) Cancer Prevention and Survivorship Community Grants. Through Kohl’s support, ACS will partner with more than 30 local organizations over three years to implement these evidence-based HEAL Community Grants. This year’s recipients are Casa Guadalupe Education Center, CORE El Centro, Cross Lutheran Church Milwaukee, Kenosha YMCA, Milwaukee Catholic Home, Perseverance Health and Wellness Coaching, LLC, Running Rebels Community Organization, Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers, Inc, HEAL Cancer Survivorship Grantees, Aurora Team Phoenix Cancer Care Survivorship Program, Divine Intervention Fitness, LLC, Milwaukee Consortium for Hmong Health, Inc., and Tricia’s Troops Cancer Connection.

May 19, 2023: In response to the tumultuous natural disaster across Turkey and Syria and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the team at Twisted X is teaming up with Soles4Souls to support disaster relief efforts. For the initiative, Twisted X supplied more than 15,000 pairs of men’s, women’s, and youth footwear to Soles4Souls with a retail value of $1 million. Product donations are sorted by Soles4Souls and transported to vetted nonprofit organizations on the ground to ensure entire communities have access to the essential items. “At Twisted X, compassion is one of our highest priorities and we feel a strong sense of urgency to take action and assist communities in need however we can,” Prasad Reddy, CEO of Twisted X, said in a statement. “Our partnership with Soles4Souls allows us to provide footwear essentials in the hopes of restoring even a small sense of normalcy to those in need during times of turmoil.” Twisted X previously partnered with Soles4Soles in 2022 to provide over 16,000 pairs of shoes for Ukrainian relief efforts. In 2021, the brand partnered with Two Ten Footwear to donate footwear for the Share Your Shoes Program that benefited individuals affected by natural disasters.

May 19, 2023: Rack Room Shoes has announced the winners of its annual Teacher of the Year Contest, recognizing educators who have made a significant difference in the lives of their students. The five outstanding winners are Carlee Guthrie, Rebecca Yaple, Jasmine Henry, Ricardo Mendez, and Taren David. The Rack Room Shoes Teacher of the Year Contest, held annually, allows customers to nominate deserving teachers who have made a positive and influential impact. Each winning teacher is awarded a $10,000 grant for their school, along with a $500 Rack Room Shoes gift card. “We are honored to recognize these exceptional teachers who have gone above and beyond to shape the lives of their students,” Brenda Christmon, senior director of brand communication at Rack Room Shoes, said in a statement. “Their dedication, passion, and commitment to education inspire us all.” In previous years of the contest, the schools in need of technology used their grants to buy laptops for classrooms, and even equipped an entire special needs classroom with new desks.

May 17, 2023: Famous Footwear has teamed up with Reef in support of Ticket to Dream, which helps foster families fund extra-curricular activities and summer programs for their foster children. As part of the initiative, Famous Footwear is now offering an exclusive “Crystal” colorway of Reef’s Water Vista Sandal, retailing for $59. The shoe retailer will donate 20 percent of the proceeds of these sandals to Ticket to Dream. Gina Davis, CEO of Ticket to Dream, said in a statement that she is “thrilled” to be working with Famous Footwear and Reef to help foster kids get outdoors. “Whether they learn to swim, play soccer, or even learn to surf, we know these youth will be creating happy memories, friendships and life skills that help foster kids just be kids,” Davis said. “We love that customers can pick up a stylish go-to summer sandal and help foster kids at the same time. Thank you, Famous Footwear, Reef and every customer who helps us bring fun to foster kids.”

May 15, 2023: Family Equality threw its annual Night at the Pier gala at Pier Sixty, celebrating the achievements and support of LGBTQIA+ families, parents and children across the country. The event, which honored Nicholas Hite and Amrit Kapai and Nicholas Kouchoukos, included performances by cast members from Broadway’s “Kimberly Akimbo,” “Some Like It Hot,” “& Juliet” and “New York, New York.” The evening, which raised $1.025 million for the nonprofit, ended with a dance party and ballroom dessert reception sponsored by Koolaburra by Ugg. “Journalist Sydney J. Harris once said, ‘History repeats itself in such a cunning disguise that we never detect the resemblance until the damage is already done,'” said Family Equality’s CEO, Stacey Stevenson, in a speech highlighting challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ families today. “But I’m here tonight to say loud and clear that we see the disguise — and we will not stand by and let any more damage be done.”

May 8, 2023: Pasquale Bruni threw an intimate dinner in partnership with Autism Tomorrow and its founder, Jacquelyn Jablonski, at Parcelle in New York City. Guests including Selby Drummond, Steven Dubb, Brianna Lance and Jaime Kay Waxman commemorated the model and the jewelry brand’s shared values of community and family with the occasion. It also held special meaning for Jablonski, who began Autism Tomorrow from a lack of care for adults on the autism spectrum, including her brother. “I started Autism Tomorrow because of my family, and Pasquale Bruni being a family-run business — this partnership has felt very special,” Jablonski shared in a mid-dinner speech, “so, thank you.”

May 1, 2023: Kohl’s has made a new $3 million commitment to Children’s Wisconsin. According to the retailer, the funds will go to supporting the opening of three additional mental health walk-in clinic locations in Wisconsin. The donation, which comes on the first day of National Mental Health Awareness Month, builds on the organizations’ continued work to build awareness, remove barriers, and make critical mental health services more accessible to youth and families across the state. The new locations will offer similar services to those provided at the Craig Yabuki Mental Health walk-in clinic on the Children’s Wisconsin Milwaukee campus. The intent is to open one location each year over the next three years. Locations of the new clinics have not yet been selected but will be spread throughout Wisconsin. The walk-in clinics provide immediate mental health support to kids 5-18 years old and are staffed with licensed therapists and social workers, and offer a therapy session, safety evaluation and support in connecting families to long-term resources.

April 10, 2023: Burlington Stores has launched its inaugural in-store customer fundraising campaign with global nonprofit YouthBuild USA. Funds raised will advance YouthBuild USA’s efforts to strengthen its programming; identify additional opportunities for impact at the local level, including through expanded career pathways; and drive innovation in education, workforce readiness, and leadership development for opportunity youth. “Our new partnership with YouthBuild USA aligns nicely with our renewed community giving approach,” said Michael O’Sullivan, CEO of Burlington Stores. “As we continue to evolve and grow as a discount retailer best known for extraordinary values on brand name merchandise, teaming up with this strategic charitable partner will allow us to add value by empowering young people in our local communities nationwide to live better lives and build better futures.” Now through May 15, 2023, customers can donate at any Burlington store nationwide.

April 3, 2023: The Skechers Foundation has reached a new annual record—raising over $3.1 million in donations for children with varying abilities and education through its Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk. The annual partner appreciation event was held on Thursday, March 30, to celebrate the education foundations, which received fund distributions from the walk, and included a $1 million check for the Friendship Foundation. The $1 million will support the Friendship Foundation programs for children 8 to 35-plus with special needs, as well as the building of the Friendship Campus—a $55 million, 62,000-square-foot college-based learning, job training and creative education center scheduled to open in 2025 in Redondo Beach, Calif. In addition, more than $1.58 million in checks was also distributed to six education foundations to help support staffing and educational programs. “Our community is phenomenal. The way they’ve helped our donations reach new highs and achieve a $1 million milestone for the Friendship Foundation, their love for our kids has no bounds,” said Michael Greenberg, president of Skechers and co-founder of the event, which has raised more than $21 million for children to date.

April 3, 2023: The Athlete’s Foot is partnering with The North Carolina Justice Center on its upcoming event “Unlocking Opportunities: A Symposium on the Business Case for Fair Chance Hiring and Second Chance Reforms.” The event, which takes place on Friday, April 21, from 9:30 am – 1:30 pm at the Capital Area NCWorks Career Center, is free, open to the public and will bring together North Carolina residents, directly impacted people, and local business leaders to hear presentations on the economic and community safety benefits of fair chance hiring, second chance initiatives, and reforms. “Providing people with criminal records the opportunity to obtain meaningful employment not only helps them support themselves and their families but also contributes to the economic well-being of our communities,” Reggie Shuford, executive director of NC Justice Center, said in a statement. “Business leaders can play a critical role in breaking down barriers to employment for justice-involved people by adopting fair chance hiring practices and supporting second chance policy reforms.” To register to attend the event in person please go to ncjustice.org/secondchancesymposium.

Feb. 8, 2023: Kohl’s announced today a $750,000 donation to Hunger Task Force to further the organization’s mission of ensuring everyone in the Milwaukee community has access to nutritious food at no cost. The grant, which is a continuation of Kohl’s and Hunger Task Force’s 14-year partnership, will address current food donation shortages with the delivery of 10 truckloads of food to ensure the nonprofit can continue to meet demand. Funding will also help ensure an average of 31,000 individuals a month have access to free, healthy food options by supporting Hunger Task Force’s network of 68 food pantries, homeless shelters, senior dining sites, and soup kitchens, and provide kids free meals this summer through the Milwaukee Summer Meals program.

Jan 26, 2023: Texas-based footwear brand Twisted X today launched a new collab collection created in partnership with Cook Children’s in Fort Worth, and all wholesale proceeds from the line will go directly to the health care organization. The collection includes four unique slip-on shoes designed by young patients at Cook Children’s with the help of Twisted X designer Tuan Lee. Each pair is named after the artist and embodies their dream pair of footwear. “I like my shoe and my favorite part about it is that it’s rainbow colored and I love rainbows,” said Alex, a 6-year-old with ketotic hypoglycemia. The sneakers are available at select Twisted X retailers nationwide.

Jan. 20, 2023: Dillard’s Inc. announced it will contribute $289,000 to local Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Chapters — the result of sales of its exclusive “Southern Living Christmas Cookbook” during the holidays. The 256-page hardbound cookbook featured 100+ new recipes and 125+ full-color photos. With this year’s contribution, Dillard’s has donated more than $15.6 million since 1994 to local RMHC Chapters to support Ronald McDonald House programs. Joanna Sabato, chief marketing and development officer at RMHC Global, said in a statement, “We are incredibly grateful for Dillard’s generous donation and commitment to support our mission to keep families with children who are sick together.”

Jan. 10, 2023: Macy’s customers raised $4.8 million to help fuel life-changing mentoring experiences for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA) this holiday season. Throughout the months of November and December, Macy’s customers donated online at macys.com and by rounding up in-store purchases. The funds raised will expand the reach of BBBSA’s mentoring model, connecting more young people with mentors and mentorship experiences they need to reach their full potential. Fundraising efforts engaged all 230+ Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies, reaching 5,000 communities in all 50 states. By 2025, Macy’s, Inc. aims to give more than $125 million to nonprofit organizations whose work is aligned with its social purpose platform Mission Every One.

Jan. 10, 2023: To kick off the new year, Kohl’s is donating more than $500,000 to more than 20 nonprofits serving families in Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties through the Kohl’s Hometown Giving Program. The Kohl’s Hometown Giving Program, now in its fifth year, is an important part of the retailer’s local community support and provides another funding opportunity for nonprofits looking to expand and develop their programming to further enhance the health and wellness of families. Grants range from $5,000 to $25,000 and are made possible through the Kohl’s Cares merchandise program, which sells children’s books and plush toys and donates 100 percent of the net profit to health and wellness organizations nationwide. Since the inception of Kohl’s Hometown Giving Program, the company has donated more than $2.5 million to nonprofit organizations in the Milwaukee area.

Jan. 5, 2023: Baffin‘s latest launch is all about doing good. The outdoor footwear brand announced that its Companion boot, a unisex cold-weather style offered in kids, youth and adult sizing, is now available for purchase at Baffin.com, for $60 to $80 CAD, with 100% of proceeds going to Protect Our Winters Canada, a group that advocates for policy solutions to climate change. The Companion style was originally created in fall ’21 by Baffin’s Corporate Citizenship Employee Advisory Group to be used solely for donations to those in need. To that end, the brand has donated 2,500 pairs of the rubber boots to Ukrainian refugees through UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. The Corporate Citizenship EAG will continue to donate boots. And Baffin has further pledged that for every Companion pair sold at retail, it will donate at least one pair to a North American organization in need. The boots are manufactured in the brand’s Stoney Creek, Ontario, factory using 50% regrind material, supplemented with donated compounds care of supplier partners Felix Compounds and Aurora Plastics.

Jan. 4, 2023: Tommy Hilfiger has announced the five finalists of the 2022 Tommy Hilfiger Fashion Frontier Challenge, selected out of 259 applicants from global startups to scaleups. For the program’s fourth edition, it aims to amplify historically marginalized entrepreneurs — including Black, Indigenous, people of color (BIPOC), individuals living with a disability and women — who are helping to advance their communities by building a more inclusive fashion industry. The finalists include Care+Wear, IDA Sports, Koalaa, Tactus and Moner Bondhu. Last month, the five finalists worked with experts from the Tommy Hilfiger global headquarters in Amsterdam, to develop practical solutions to their biggest challenges. In the program’s final phase, each will pitch their business concepts on Feb. 9 to a jury panel that includes Mr. Hilfiger, CEO Martijn Hagman and activist Halima Aden. A 200,000 euro award will be divided between the top two winners to support their ventures. Another 15,000 euros will be awarded to the “Audience Favorite” chosen by Tommy Hilfiger associates.

Big Initiatives in 2022:

Dec. 28, 2022: Plan International Canada has announced that it has been selected as a nonprofit partner for the Uniqlo “Peace for All” initiative. With the partnership, the organization, which is focused on advancing children’s rights and equality for girls, said it will match customer donations up to 5,000 Canadian dollars (roughly $3,676 at the current conversion rate) from Dec. 30 through Jan. 13, 2023. The donation-matching campaign, the organization said in a statement, will raise funds for its “Youth Leaders in Canada” Gift of Hope that “unites youth of all backgrounds to take a stand as the next generation of global leaders.” Customers can donate to Plan International Canada at the checkout in all Uniqlo stores in Canada and online.

Dec. 23, 2022: DTLR announced it collected more than 30,000 toys for the past few weeks across all of its stores for its annual “Soleful Time of the Year” toy drive. The toys, according to DTLR, will be donated to more than 150 nonprofits, schools and community centers. DTRL said hundreds of local organizations that could help distribute toys to local communities were identified by stores.

Dec. 20, 2022: Academy Sports + Outdoors announced it has donated over $250,000 to its local communities this holiday season. Academy activated more than 50 holiday shopping events across its footprint to give back to thousands and surprise hundreds of shoppers through its annual “Traveling Santa” initiative at each of its 268 stores throughout December. Through its annual “Traveling Santa” initiative, Academy surprises customers doing their holiday shopping by helping pay for their holiday gifts. The company’s charitable events include in-store shopping sprees, bike donations and other giveback initiatives in 50 communities across Academy’s footprint.