MLS Seattle Sounders FC

Sounders FC Joins Washington Employers for Racial Equity Coalition

December 1, 2020 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Seattle Sounders FC News Release


SEATTLE, WASH. - Sounders FC today announced the club is joining Washington Employers for Racial Equity, a new statewide coalition sponsored by Challenge Seattle and Washington Roundtable to join together employers committed to a racially equitable future.

Washington Employers for Racial Equity (WERE) is currently comprised of 59 coalition employers - including Sounders FC - who have thus far signed a specific Commitment to Progress. The coalition will work collectively to achieve parity in hiring, pay and promotion for Black Washingtonians, support Black-owned businesses and invest a combined $2 billion over the next five years to support racial equity while setting measurable targets, assessing progress and publicly reporting its collective results.

In line with Sounders FC's "We Are All Sounders" social justice framework announced earlier this year, the club lends its full support to the new statewide coalition and working toward the goals set to build a stronger, more equitable Washington.

"We are proud to partner with our colleagues in making this commitment for racial equity in our community," said Sounders FC Majority Owner Adrian Hanauer. "We are not going to solve this problem alone, and this is a necessary commitment to make sure that our community becomes a more just and equitable place to live."

For more information regarding WERE, including specific details surrounding the Commitment to Progress, current signees and research behind the coalition please visit Employers4Equity.org.

To celebrate this announcement and as part of today's national day of giving, #GivingTuesday, Sounders FC and RAVE Foundation are teaming up with the Northwest African American Museum (NAAM) to fundraise for a special giveaway event for the region's youth that will feature distribution of Black-centered children's books and high-quality soccer balls.

"This partnership with Seattle Sounders FC means so much to the Northwest African American Museum in advancing the idea that knowledge truly is power," said NAAM Executive Director LaNesha DeBardelaben. "Together, we can make our region a more equitable place for all through anti-racist education and the power of cultural literacy. This partnership gets us closer to equity, one book and one ball at a time."

NAAM has curated children's books by Black authors and artists that seek to not only help reflect personal experiences and reaffirm value for Black youth, but also allow all children to become familiar with diverse characters and storylines while enjoying a new book.

RAVE Foundation, Sounders FC's charitable arm, is also giving children new soccer balls to pair with their books. RAVE Foundation believes in removing barriers to participation in soccer and sport for all children, and that the right to play - in all neighborhoods - is a human right.

Fundraising is currently underway and those wishing to give should visit RaveFoundation.org/Donate.

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