NBA superstars Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul and Dwyane Wade have teamed up to announce the launch of their new Social Change Fund. According to the press release, the fund will be dedicated to “investing in and supporting organizations that advocate for communities of color through long-term policy solutions, community representation, and narrative 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 fund will focus on serious issues in Black communities such as criminal justice reform and public safety. It will expand the access to voting in those communities as well as increase Black leadership and build economic fairness for Black people through investment in housing, wages, employment and education.
“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 fund will be funded by all three players. REFORM Alliance, Laureus Sport for Good USA, Beyond Meat, Goldman Sachs and Creative Artists Agency’s Managing Partners and Agency Board are tapped to be investors and supporters.
“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.”
Check out Anthony’s Instagram post below for more information.