We are committed to amplifying the voices of those who have not been heard.
Racial Equity Project Fund of The Trail Blazers Foundation
The Racial Equity Project, formerly known as the Racial Injustice Initiative is the fruition of our commitment to fighting racial injustices and advocating for racial equity. The first step is to collect and distribute critical financial investments to local nonprofit organizations that are working in this space.
Contributions from leadership, players, and employees have seeded this fund, and now we invite fans to donate. One hundred percent of your gift and all donations collected in this Fund will go to nonprofits working in this space, and your donation is tax-deductible. For more information please read the press release linked below and scroll down to read the letter to Rip City outlining our commitment.
Racial Equity Project Pillars
The program is upheld by a four-pillar foundation of goals that strategically aligns the Racial Equity Project’s efforts to aid in the fight of combating institutional racism and discrimination that has historically restricted and oppressed the Black community.
The following 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations have been chosen to receive the initial investment from the Trail Blazers Foundation’s Racial Equity Project.
Word is Bond
A local nonprofit working to rewrite the narrative between Black men and law enforcement through leadership development, critical dialogue and education with a vision for every young Black man to have the leadership skills to make a positive difference in their life and community.
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Y.O.U.th
An organization with a mission to motivate, inspire, and empower youth, family and educators to dismantle the school to prison pipeline by challenging existing systems and structures through their program #BooksNotBarsOR in educational settings, parent engagement, events and raising awareness through a digital marketing campaign.
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Albina Vision Trust (AVT)
This organization was created to steward the vision for the future of lower Albina while honoring the history of the area. AVT seeks innovative solutions with a focus on building partnerships. AVT is positioned to link private interests and public priorities with community values while facilitating a new, diverse, and intentionally remarkable neighborhood in Portland.
Learn MoreRip City,
OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, MOMENTS OF OUR NATION’S ENTRENCHED RACIAL INJUSTICE, RACIAL INEQUITIES AND RACISM HAVE CULMINATED IN THE ERUPTION OF PAIN, GRIEF, AND FATIGUE THAT WE HAVE SEEN IN COMMUNITIES ACROSS THIS COUNTRY. LATENT CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS ERUPTION HAVE BEEN SILENT, TURNED A BLIND EYE AND HAVE BEEN COMPLACENT.
WE WILL NOT REMAIN SILENT. WE WILL NEVER TURN A BLIND EYE. WE REFUSE TO BE COMPLACENT.
CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP REFERS TO A COMPANY’S RESPONSIBILITIES TO SOCIETY. THE GOAL IS TO PRODUCE HIGHER STANDARDS OF LIVING AND QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH THEY RESIDE.
WE TAKE VERY SERIOUSLY OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO LEVERAGE OUR POSITION, PLATFORM, RESOURCES, AND INFLUENCE TO CREATE THE SAFE, SECURE QUALITY OF LIFE WE ALL DESERVE. WE ARE COMMITTED TO DOING ALL WE CAN TO MOVE US TOWARD A MORE JUST AND EQUITABLE SOCIETY.
OUR COMMITMENT:
- CONTINUE TO STRENGTHEN AND STRUCTURE OUR ORGANIZATION TO COMBAT INSTITUTIONAL AND SYSTEMIC RACISM WITHIN OUR COMPANY AND ACROSS THE SPORTS INDUSTRY.
- BOLDLY UTILIZE OUR PLATFORM TO AMPLIFY THE VOICES WITHIN OUR COMPANY AND THE COMMUNITY THAT ARE LEADING RACIAL JUSTICE WORK.
- FINANCIALLY INVEST IN COMMUNITY-BASED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE DOING THE HARD WORK TO FIGHT FOR EQUITY.
- LASTLY, WE ENCOURAGE ALL OF OUR FANS AND SUPPORTERS TO STAND WITH US AND USE THEIR VOICES FOR POSITIVE CHANGE AND IMPACT IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.
RIP CITY, WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER. WE ARE ALL PART OF RIP CITY.
We are all part of Rip City
We are committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within our organization and our community.
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