Following on from last years campaign, Black Players For Change and the Black Women's Player Collective have once again joined forces with the Participation Trophy Studio to create the ‘Black Out’ collection II.
To celebrate Black History Month last year, Black Players for Change joined forces with Participation Trophy Studio to release ‘The Blackout Collection’: an exclusive drop of eight limited edition customised jerseys inspired by the players' collective and individual experiences during 2020. Building on from that first release, this follow up collection has been unveiled, and it sees the Black Women's Player Collective from NWSL getting involved to broaden the scope of the campaign, which has increased to 17 jerseys.
The PTS x Black Players For Change "Black Out" Collection II campaign has seen Participation Trophy Studio once again create a limited collection of custom jerseys that are being raffled off as a charitable fundraiser supporting each group's amazing work increasing access and opportunity in football for people in underrepresented communities.
In line with the welcome growth and scope of the project, this year saw an expansion from eight to 17 players across the U.S's three largest leagues. In total this year's project includes 14 MLS players from eight different MLS clubs, and they are: Gyasi Zardes, Marlon Hairston, Jalil Anibaba (Columbus Crew), Earl Edwards Jr (New England Revolution), Sean Johnson (NYCFC), Tosaint Ricketts, Daiber Caicedo, Leonard Owusu (Vancoucer Whitecaps FC), Jacori Hayes, Hassani Dodson, Dayne St Claire (Minnesota United), (Drake Callender (Inter Miami CF), Kellyn Acosta (LAFC), and CJ Sapong (Nashville SC).
Beyond the MLS it also features Imani Dorsey (Gotham City FC), and Crystal Dunn (Portland Thorns) and Quincy Amarikwa (Unsigned, most recently w/ Oakland Roots).
Black Players for Change (BPC) is an independent organisation consisting of over 170+ Black players, coaches and staff of MLS, who are committed to tackling the racial injustices that have limited Black people from having an equitable stake in the game of soccer and society.
Just like the first collection, the Black Out Collection was inspired by the collective and individual experience and stories of 2021. It’s the culmination of experiences both inside and outside of the league. A physical representation of support, unity and every emotion in between. So why blackout? The BPC and BWPC decided to take their jerseys and black them out as a representation of their presence in the league and a representation of their presence in the world. It’s their way of showing that black players are here, they’ve always been here and now you can see how valuable they truly are.
100% of proceeds from this project are going directly to BPC and BPWC and no purchase is required for supporters to enter the contest.
For your chance to get your hands on one of these 17 bespoke jerseys, head to blackplayersforchange.org, but be quick, as the sweepstake ends at the close of play on 17 March.
