Long gone are the days when the Jordan Brand was synonymous with being a “boys only club.” The Jordan Brand recently unveiled its Global Women’s Collective program, a program whose initiative is to re-establish what the iconic Jumpman logo represents. With the unveiling of this program, the brand continues to not only solidify its legacy but also its commitment to fostering a culture of inclusivity and empowerment. The women who were chosen to be a part of this groundbreaking inaugural program will undergo events, panels, and retreats.
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Marisa Bryant, Yaya, Kwynn Butts, Jourdan Ash, Chelsea Baez, Annette Cruz, and Shema Love are the amazingly talented women who make up the NY cohort of the Women’s Collective Program. Some of the women shared the ways that they hope their individual work will leave a cultural impact as well as how the Jordan Brand’s presence in culture has impacted them personally.
‘In Her Sole Collective’ Founder, Yaya hopes that through authentic actions, empowering the right people, and helping in the right places, she’ll be a part of a larger movement of people all across the globe that want to be better for everyone. Yaya, who was raised between the DR and the Bronx, said that the Jordan Brand has always been the most highly coveted product across the footwear spectrum her entire life.
Creative, Marisa Bryant hopes to inspire people to love themselves and each other more. The Jordan Brand’s presence in culture has encouraged Marisa to strive to be the best at what she does, no dream is too big to accomplish.
Digital Creator, Jourdan Ash hopes to inspire the younger generation and women to choose to do more of what they want and what they’re passionate about while remembering where they come from. The Jordan Brand has been in Jourdan’s life since childhood and it's a beautiful full-circle moment for her to be a part of its collective.
The ladies that comprise the New York cohort attended their retreat recently in New York City and can we just say that we’re jealous? The weekend retreat took place in The Hamptons at the luxurious Shou Sugi Ban House. The women were able to experience bespoke and intimate wellness experiences that allowed them to connect more deeply with themselves and each other. The ladies were also able to connect with Michele A. Roberts, Former Executive Director of the National Basketball Players Association, and artist Nina Chanel.
In addition to the amazing experience at the Shou Sugi Ban House, the women spent some time at the Barclays Arena where they were greeted by GM, Adina Erwin who is one of the very few women who hold this position in the industry. They also experienced individual court introductions by none other than the official Barclays announcer! Can we say goals?
The girls literally wined and dined on Italian and Spanish cuisine at Vinateria in Harlem, NY. The icing on the cake is that Vinateria is black-owned and women-led.
A weekend is not complete without a little retail therapy so you know the ladies had to hit up Nohble, one of the few women-led Jordan retailers in NYC. While there they were able to shop and meet owner Christina Noh.
Over the weekend memories were created that will last a lifetime for these well-deserving ladies. When asked how her thoughts have changed after meeting the other women who are a part of the Women’s Collective, Chelsea Baez said, “I think going into the retreat, I knew we all thought similarly about community and impact but I didn’t understand why I was chosen to be a part of the collective. I think now after being around the ladies and the Brand the answer is clear to me now. I questioned for a long time ‘why me’ and now understand the impact and my love for community is deeper than I’m able to see.”
- Erica Britt
