Converse Opens the All Stars Program to the Public
For more than two years, have been cultivating the All Stars Program, a grassroots global group of more than 3,000 individuals from more than 27 cities worldwide. These emerging leaders champion change in sport and culture, and Converse aims to hone their creative talents and amplify their voices. Now, for the first time, Converse is opening this community to the public.
Through till November, the brand is inviting up to 250 creative individuals to the All Stars. New members will have the opportunity to engage with the All Star Series, an ongoing experience of one-of-a-kind workshops, conversations and performances facilitated by Converse’s extended creative family. The most recent All Star Series session included the likes of Issa Rae, Lay Zhang, Tobe Nwigwe, Jefferson Hack, and .
On top of this, Converse has also committed $1 million to an accelerator program dubbed Converse All Star Captains, which aims to fast-track the progress of a dozen All Stars who excel in the areas of sustainability, inclusivity and diversity, and youth development. At present, the committee includes James Mathew and Ifeoma ‘Ify’ White-Thorpe, the Harvard College Student Body’s President and Vice President, respectively.
In October, All Stars will have the opportunity to submit individual proposals to Converse. Beginning in 2021, the first annual class of Captains – which includes Mathew and White-Thorpe – will each receive a year’s worth of funding to help bring their ideas to life!
Be sure to check out the inspiration campaign film below, which was written and narrated by Ify White-Thorpe under the mentorship of Issa Rae, with the original music by James and Phillip Mathew under the mentorship of Tyler, the Creator.