Unfair Unjust – The Devastation Caused by Withdrawn Resources and The Effects on Black Communities

An Open Letter to Nike and Adidas by John E. Harmon Sr., African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ)

When Nike and Adidas withdraw endorsements of Black celebrities, there are unintended consequences.”

— John E. Harmon Sr., AACCNJ

Let me clarify that neither the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) nor I condone antisemitism or any other form of hateful speech directed at, or harmful acts inflicted upon, an individual or groups of individuals. We never have. We never will. But months have passed since multibillion-dollar enterprises like Nike, and Adidas severed their financial obligations to Kyrie Irving and Ye, respectively. Yet, we still wait for those corporations to fill the economic void their canceled endorsements have created in marginalized communities.

We know many Black athletes and entertainers are altruistic and use their wealth to help address societal ills through generous monetary donations. ESPN SportsCenter reported on Twitter on January 29, 2021, that in 2020, Irving donated $323,000 to Feeding America; collaborated with City Harvest to distribute 250,000 meals to New Yorkers; partnered with Nike to donate 17 pallets of food and masks to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe; committed $1.5 million to help pay the salaries of WNBA players who opted out of the 2020 season; paid off the college tuitions of nine students at Lincoln University, a Historically Black College or University; and, according to former NBA player Stephen Jackson, purchased a house for the family of George Floyd.

John E. Harmon Sr., African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ)

Likewise, CNN reported Ye donated $2 million to support the families of Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor. Ye also has contributed to causes that endeavor to lower high school drop-out rates and end food insecurity and homelessness in the United States.

“However, when Nike and Adidas withdraw endorsements of Black celebrities, there are unintended consequences”, said John E. Harmon Sr., AACCNJ. What sustains philanthropy? How does funding continue to flow to underserved communities? Are there other alternatives aside from a complete cessation of business dealings?

As I reflect on the statements issued by so many corporations in the immediate aftermath of Floyd’s murder, I am reminded of the words stated in the poignant video Nike posted on Twitter four days after Floyd’s death, prefaced with #UntilWeAllWin:

Nike. “For once, Don’t Do It. Don’t pretend there’s not a problem in America. Don’t turn your back on racism. Don’t accept innocent lives being taken from us. Don’t make any more excuses. Don’t think this doesn’t affect you. Don’t sit back and be silent. Don’t think you can’t be a part of the change. Let’s all be part of the change.” Twitter, May 29, 2020, https://twitter.com/nike/status/1266502116463370241

The next day, in a show of solidarity, Adidas retweeted Nike’s video, stating:

Adidas. “Together is how we move forward. Together is how we make change.” Twitter, May 30, 2020, https://twitter.com/adidas/status/1266594990559379457?lang=en

When Nike and Adidas withdraw endorsements of Black celebrities, there are unintended consequences.” — John E. Harmon Sr., AACCNJ

“For more than 15 years, the AACCNJ has been dedicated to economically empowering and sustaining New Jersey’s African-American communities through entrepreneurship and capitalistic activities. We help Black people create generational wealth by being a critical source of information, inspiration, knowledge, resources, and advocacy. Every day, we use our platform to fight the systemic racism that bars African Americans in New Jersey from increasing their average net worth of $5,900 to the $315,000 net worth garnered by their white counterparts.” – John E. Harmon Sr., AACCNJ

So, to Nike and Adidas, we say, We speak your language.

– For once, we won’t let you do it. When you withdraw resources directly or indirectly from underserved communities, we demand you replenish those resources commensurately.

– We won’t let you pretend there is no problem in America between the haves and the have-nots. So, when you withdraw resources directly or indirectly from underserved communities, we demand you replenish those resources commensurately to help level the playing field.

– We won’t let you turn your backs on institutional racism. African Americans are your most loyal customers and should be treated and respected as such. So, when you withdraw resources directly or indirectly from Black communities, we demand you replenish them commensurately to show us you appreciate our patronage.

– We won’t accept innocent lives being taken from us because of education, health, and wealth inequities. So, when you withdraw resources directly or indirectly from our communities, we demand you replenish them commensurately to boost the downtrodden.

– We won’t allow you to make any more excuses. Yes, antisemitism is deplorable. But so is institutional racism. Do not inadvertently perpetuate a process that adversely impacts a group that continually faces oppression. So, when you withdraw resources directly or indirectly from underserved communities, we demand you replenish them commensurately to foster proactive, prosperous solutions, rather than reactive and potentially regressive responses.

– We won’t let you forget that your decision to withdraw resources directly or indirectly from underserved communities not only affects the individuals who reside in those communities but also affects you and your bottom line.

– We won’t sit back and be silent. Our network is strong and wide.

– We know we can be a part of the change with viable solutions that offer a win-win for all.

– Let’s all be part of the change – corporations, consumers, and community- and faith-based organizations alike.

– Together is how we move forward. Let’s talk about it.

– Together is how we make a change. Let’s listen to one another.

To mitigate the adverse economic impact termination of Irving and West’s contracts created in underserved communities, the AACCNJ extends an open invitation to Nike, Adidas, and others to discuss how to redistribute the resources budgeted under those agreements. It is a serious and imperative gesture because statements of diversity, equity, and inclusion are ineffectual #UntilWeAllWin. Let’s move away from rhetoric by taking a historic step toward real change. Will you answer our open letter? We deserve real answers and action, and we deserve them now.


Essex County College’s Grand Opening of West Essex Campus

Essex County College’s West Essex campus wrote a new chapter in its 55 years of service to the community when it held a...

East Orange Student Entrepreneurs Receive Once-In-A-Lifetime Opportunity

Host Pop-Up Shop at the Miseducation of Lauryn Hill 25th Anniversary Tour In a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, a group of budding...

Welcome Back to School RCCS!

On August 28, Roseville Community Charter School opened its doors to welcome parents and scholars to visit their new classrooms...

East Orange “Back-to-School Welcome Walk”

Mayor Ted R. Green, the East Orange City Council, and staff from various municipal departments participated in the city’s annual...

Berkeley College Announces Opportunity Grant

Qualified New Jersey residents can enroll in a fulltime Associate’s degree program without incurring any loans for tuition and fees...

Roseville Community Charter School Honored

Roseville Community Charter School was honored to welcome as a special guest, Dr. Christopher Irving, NJ Department of Education Assistant...

New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency Celebrates 40 Years of Service

On January 17, 2024, the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) celebrates its...

Consider it Pure Joy | Jennifer Jones Austin

When Jennifer Jones Austin, wife, mother, lawyer and child advocate, and the picture of good...

NJHMFA Board Meeting Delivers Key Housing Policy Advancements in Tax Credits and Multifamily Programs

 New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) approved two new programs, the Urban Preservation...

Chase Community Manager Shares Five Key Financial Literacy Tips

Financial health is an important foundation that helps build strong and resilient households, communities and...

Fresh Financial Start: How to Begin the New Year on a High Note

We’re ringing in a new year, and that means a fresh start for your finances!...

Hope for the Holiday Season and Beyond

As the end of 2023 draws near, some of us may be feeling our holiday...

Activist Viola Plummer dies at age 86

Activist and Chairperson of the December 12th Movement Viola Plummer has died. Her passing was announced on Monday. She was...
Read More

 Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz Art Collection at Brooklyn Museum

Call it an embarrassment of riches: The musician Alicia Keys and her husband Kasseem Dean, the producer and D.J. known...
Read More

20-Bed Transitional Housing ‘Village’ Opens in Newark

Officials Say Hope Village II Improves on First Container Community A 20-bed “bridge housing community” is open for people in...
Read More

The 38th Annual Brooklyn Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

BAM honors Dr. King’s radical spirit at this beloved Brooklyn tradition, which rings in a new year with musical performances...
Read More

Rev. Dr. James A. Kilgore Installed

The Baptist Ministers’ Conference of Greater NY & Vicinity installed Rev. Dr. James A. Kilgore as the new president of...
Read More

Hal Jackson Hal Jackson’s Talented Teens Fundraiser

Folks who lived in the NYC area during the 80’s & 90’s remember Hal Jackson’s Sunday Classics heard on then Black-owned WBLS-FM. Many of us looked forward to hearing classic...
Read More

Harlem EatUp! Luminary Awards Tamron Hall and D-Nice Honored

Titled “Harlem EatUp!,” the Luminary Awards Dinner truly lived up to its name. At the renowned Alhambra Ballroom in Harlem, guests dined on an array of culinary delights. Launched in...
Read More

East Orange Breaks Ground on Renovations to Historic Oval Park

Mayor Ted R. Green, the East Orange City Council, and the Departments of Public Works and Recreation & Cultural Affairs officially broke ground on renovations to Oval Park, a historic...
Read More

A Private Experience: a short story by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Chika climbs in through the store window first and then holds the shutter as the woman climbs in after her. The store looks as if it was deserted long before...
Read More

Should You Focus On Exercise When You Want to Lose Weight?

Exercise may not be the best way to lose weight. A quick Google search on...

Holy Name Announces New Leadership Appointments

Holy Name, the region’s leading independent health system, appointed Cynthia Ziegler as Vice President of...

You Can Live Well

As a fitness expert, I often encourage clients to care for themselves first. It seems...

Season’s Greetings

Stay Safe and Enjoy this Wonderful Time of the Year The upcoming holiday season is...

Powerful Stories of Breast Cancer Survivors

WORLD’s Stories from the Stage: The Podcast Kicks Off New Season Stories from the Stage: The...

They are Fit to be First Responders

By Barry Carter In a spirited competition among first responders, Newark and Essex County police...