The Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA), has announced a multi-year partnership with the soft-drink company, Pepsi. In this partnership, Pepsi’s philanthropic arm known as Pepsi Strong Together will play a major role. WNBPA and Pepsi Strong Together will be working closely to give back to the local communities. Pepsi Stronger Together will be supporting several programs in all 12 WNBA cities, as part of the initiative of WNBPA.
The partnership labelled as ‘supporting causes important to the players’, will see Pepsi Stronger Together funding several participant-led community impact programmes, which will be solely decided by an advisory panel. The panel consists of the six-time All-Star and WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike, the union’s executive director Terri Carmichael Jackson, and Derek Lewis, president, south division, at PepsiCo Beverages North America.
The partnership’s first project in this initiative will be starting from Los Angeles, where they will be providing $50,000 to Girls on the Run. This is an organisation focusing on building girls’ self-confidence through physical activity and team-based efforts. Apart from this, Pepsi will also be providing hydration options and necessary equipment for nearly 350 girls, who will be participating in Girls on the Run LA’s 5k races scheduled this fall.
Speaking on the occasion, Derek Lewis, President, South Division, PepsiCo Beverages North America, said: “We are honoured to partner with the WNBPA and expand upon our commitment to uplift communities across the country,”
“This investment starts with empowering and creating opportunities for young women in the Los Angeles area, and we look forward to partnering with even more of the WNPBA’s exceptional and inspiring league of athletes on future tailored local initiatives throughout the 2022 season.”
Adding to it, Terri Carmichael Jackson, WNBPA Executive Director, said: “We are very proud to mark the union’s 23rd anniversary with Pepsi Stronger Together. When you #BetOnWomen you are supporting, investing and empowering girls and women which means families and communities are that much stronger – together.”