Black History Month is an annual celebration of the achievements and contributions by Black people and a time to recognize their central role in history, present day, and future. The Association for the Study of African American Life and History founded the first Negro History Week seeking to bring stories of African Americans to light in 1915, half a century after the 13th Amendment abolished slavery in the United States. Today, Black History Month is honored in other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom.
This year, in North America, lululemon leaned into the theme of Take Space – Celebrating the Miracle of Enduring Black Joy through a series of internal activations and community experiences that invite and inspire the Black community to take space mentally, physically, and communally.
Activations have been created in partnership with lululemon’s Black People Network (a support network where employees have a safe space to gather, connect, and restore based on shared identity), Ambassadors, and Black-led community organizations to educate, celebrate, and embrace expressions of art, joy, and wellbeing through movement. From internal conversations with Black leaders celebrating their unique career journeys, challenges, and strengths that allowed them to break industry barriers, to community spotlight stories that celebrate Black resistance, resilience, and joy among our internal collective.
“At lululemon, we are dedicated to showing up in solidarity for Black communities through our advocacy, our unwavering commitment to dismantling inequitable barriers, and leveraging our voice and resources to the wellbeing of Black futures,” said Stacia Marie Jones, Vice President, Global Head of IDEA, Employee Relations, and Employee Policy & Compliance. “As a Black woman, navigating the complexities of race-based barriers to wellbeing is an intrinsic part of my daily existence. By continuing to partner with Black-led community organizations, lululemon amplifies and demands space for Black wellbeing towards a more prosperous and liberatory future that creates lasting, meaningful change in our communities.”
Take Space Community Activations
On February 3, lululemon kicked off Black History Month with a celebration in New York City at the Brooklyn Museum with lululemon Ambassador and Peloton Instructor, Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts. Anchored in the strength, love, and creativity of the Black Diaspora, Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts led a restorative meditation with live music from harpist Angelica Hairston.
Moments from the guided meditation event at the Brooklyn Museum with Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts.
In Seattle, lululemon curated an event called Take Space; Thriving in Black Excellence, to celebrate nine Black Ambassadors throughout the Pacific Northwest. The Seattle community came together for a screening of a lululemon powered documentary, highlighting each Ambassador and their unique narratives of Black joy and excellence, followed by a live discussion with the Ambassadors.
“Black excellence, to me, means operating and living within your truth,” said Jasmine RaShae’, lululemon Ambassador and founder of Soulful Flow Yoga.
lululemon Ambassadors, from left to right: Adaeze Medani, J. Booby Miles, Hawi Gezai, Jasmine RaShae’, Yon Yilma, Trevor Taylor, Kisha Vaughan, Aaliyah Earvin, and Shontia Whitehead. Photographed by Pao Sanchez.
The celebration doesn’t end there. This year, lululemon will continue to honor, celebrate, and support Black History – beyond the month of February – through 120 activations taking place virtually and across 18 cities in North America.
“We recognize that the concept of ‘taking space’ holds different meaning within every community we engage with,” said Kimmy Howington, Manager, Key Cities Program. “We are committed to showing up for our communities in ways that serve the unique needs of each market and are excited to achieve this through our Take Space activations.”