Converse

"When you put a period on an idea, you’re not leaving space for the creativity to flow.” As our VP/GM of North America Brandis Russell reminded us this weekend — when she sat down with PLC Detroit president Dr. D'Wayne Edwards at the Black Footwear Forum — the best work comes out of the collective genius. Along with advocating for making space for young creators and replacing ego and fear with affirmation and care, she also encouraged women to “play big” — just some of the wisdom she’s gained over her career (which includes 20 years with Nike), that we get to benefit from every day.

We are a brand for and of creators — and the other week we took some time to celebrate the intersection by hosting The conVERSE in Boston, for our HQ employees. Some highlights … CONS riders Gavin Bottger, Bryce Wettstein, Zered Bassett, and Kevin Kowalski dominated a bespoke skate ramp that has since been donated to teens right in our backyard. Bryce then serenaded the crowd with her ukulele and an original song before the riders sat down with Celtics host Melisa Valdez (a.k.a. our MC for the day) to chat competition hacks and their favorite tricks. There was also plenty of action on the custom Converse basketball court, where employees competed in a wild of game of Around the World, while DJ Towfu spun tunes all afternoon long. Learn more about life and jobs and Converse at jobs.converse.com.

Behind every collaboration we do, there are Converse designers responsible for passing the partner’s vision through our heritage lens and managing product creation logistics, such as blueprint and pattern revisions. In the case of our recent Converse x Isabel Marant collection, one of those designers was Katie Blauer.    Katie helped design the first Converse internal wedge, the Platform Plus, back in 2012, which made her the perfect fit to join forces with the Converse Energy team in working with the French designer, who is widely credited for leading the sneaker wedge trend of the 2010s.    Together, Katie and the team took Isabel’s vision to give a legacy Converse shoe a signature Isabel Marant twist and turned it into a new silhouette: the Chuck 70 Wedge. They also translated Isabel’s eclectic aesthetic into a fresh take on the classic Chuck 70, allowing fans of either brand an introduction to the other.    And while Katie notes that the sneaker wedge silhouette is often either loved or hated, she believes this anti-conformist vibe makes it just right for us.

A huge shoutout to our teammates and athletes who brought their best game to Paris, inspiring us at every turn. Bryce Wettstein, Gavin Bottger, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, we’re looking at you! Plus, major props to CONS team rider Alexis Sablone for her incredible federation kit designs and leadership as women's skateboarding head coach. We couldn’t be prouder.

Meet the creative minds behind some wildly inventive custom Converse designs — from painterly flora and fauna illustrations to all-seeing eyes looking towards an unknown future. Over the past two weeks, 32 ninth- to eleventh-grade students have worked with Converse volunteer mentors to design and create a pair of Chuck Taylor All Stars and t-shirts at The Possible Zone (TPZ), a Boston-based organization providing engaging, hands-on, and tuition-free entrepreneurship and experiential learning programs that prepare high-school students from under-resourced communities for life-long learning and careers. Now in its third year, the Converse 101 Deep Dive is part of TPZ’s broader Deep Dives program offering, which equips students with transferable skills and gives them a taste of Boston’s creative industry. Specifically, Converse mentors guide the student cohorts in bringing their unique inspirations to life, helping them navigate group collaboration and build professional skills. Converse Lead Color & Product Designer Kyle B. Hart, who has served as a design mentor for three years, says that seeing the kids show off their work at the end of the program keeps him coming back. “They're super hyped on it,” he says, “which makes me feel really thankful to be a part of the program. It helps me give back in a meaningful way. And my life is drastically improved when I'm of service to others. If we all just do our part, if we all just do a little bit, the lift becomes so much lighter.” But can a two-week program really move the needle? Absolutely, says Janet Hollingsworth, VP of STEAM and Innovation at TPZ. “Our young people to this day still talk about the folks that were in the very first Converse workshop. The students still remember their names; they still remember what they did; they still proudly wear their t-shirts and their sneakers. That shows that this has a lasting impact in our students’ lives. Even three or four years after the very first engagement, we are still seeing that connection, as strong as ever.”

Fueling youth leadership and creativity through positive youth development is core to Converse and the work of our Social & Community Impact team. To further this goal, our SCI team partners with non-profit organizations to create and fund programs that #support and engage youth across a variety of intersectional communities. Knowing an important part of this work is #collaboration, Converse created Community Conversations—a moment for all US-based partners to come together to meet, learn from each other, and celebrate the impact of their work. For its second year, Converse Community Conversations was held at our HQ in Boston. During the two-day experience, there were site visits to local non-profits and workshops that focused on inclusivity, fostering culture, intergenerational impact, and more. We also hosted 70-plus young people from our local community partners at Converse HQ for a celebration that included music, art, and a ton of Converse swag. A huge thank you to all the organizations that participated!

As part of NIKE, Inc., Converse is committed to shaping a better future for all through the power of community. Learn more about our progress toward People, Planet and Play targets in the FY23 NIKE, Inc. Impact Report, here: about.nike.com/impact.

Converse is honored to be recognized by the ANA AIMM and the Cultural Inclusion Accelerator™ as the most culturally inclusive brand of 2023 in their LGBTQ+ Category. 🌈 🌈 🌈   Last week, we took home gold for our 2023 Proud to Be campaign that celebrated those who are proud to be living in the power and joy of being themselves.   What started almost 10 years ago with the establishment of the Converse Pride Network—our LGBTQIA+ Employee Resource Group—and a grassroots effort from LGBTQIA+ employees and allies to show support for the community, has grown into a core belief that our brand has a responsibility to be a champion of #progress, #representation, and access to #opportunity.   As we look ahead to our upcoming Proud to Be campaign and collection, Converse will continue to stand alongside the LGBTQIA+ community through partnerships, grants, campaigns, and product that champion self-expression.   A huge thank you to the LGBTQIA+ teammates and allies who lead our efforts each year, the Converse Pride Network for being a committed resource and support system for employees around the world, and to our community partners—The Ali Forney Center, BAGLY, Inc., COC Nederland, Homotopia, It Gets Better, and The Theater Offensive—for working with us to build and maintain deep connections to the community.    Finally, a special thank you to Jessica (Jess) Collado-Aleman, Pride Brand Lead and Co-Chair of the Converse Pride Network, for accepting this award on behalf of our team.   Learn more about the global community of creatives featured in the award-winning campaign here: https://lnkd.in/ec-Dmf4b

Nearly 40 years ago, Converse debuted our most iconic basketball silhouette—the Converse Weapon—at NBA All-Star Weekend. At that moment, we introduced to the game of basketball a silhouette that would become the preeminent sneaker of choice for players of the era. Since then, the connection between Converse and basketball has been unbreakable, our unique histories forever intertwined. Earlier this month, our legacy and impact in the sport came full circle as we returned to NBA All-Star Weekend for the re-launch of the Converse Weapon, led by our Create History Not Hype campaign starring Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. On the ground in Indianapolis, Converse created a branded footprint in the streets with a one-of-a-kind pop-up experience, along with a tri-brand moment with Nike and Jordan as part of an activation with Foot Locker. But we weren’t done there… Converse hosted Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for a conversation on the re-launch of the Converse Weapon, the Create History Not Hype campaign, and his ongoing partnership with our brand, moderated by fashion and basketball journalist Speedy Morman. What a big weekend for basketball and an even bigger weekend for our brand. Check out some of the photos below! #CreateNext #WeCreateNext #NBAAllStarWeekend

Boston-based teammates sitting at Converse HQ—including Ilana Finley, VP, Global Communications and Social & Community Impact—participated in the 8th annual MLK Day College, Career, and Health Fair, hosted by local community partner The BASE.   A huge shoutout to the entire team who dedicated their time to connect with local youth. #LifeAtConverse #TeamConverse