Streetwear legend April Walker partnering with team on Black Women-Owned Business Expo
Local artists Arthur Midianga and Watson Mere to curate art exhibit featuring Black women artists
NEW YORK – JULY 28, 2022 – The New York Liberty will host its sixth annual UNITY game on Sunday, July 31 when the team takes on the Phoenix Mercury at 2 p.m. ET at Barclays Center. The Liberty’s UNITY and social justice initiatives ignite activism, educate fans, unite the local community, empower players, and amplify marginalized voices through key partnerships, social media activation, and events.
This season’s UNITY theme is “See Black Women”. Through conversation, commerce, culture, and sports competition, the Liberty will amplify Black women who are transforming mainstream spaces and creating pathways to racial, gender, social and financial equity.
“The WNBA is made up of 80 percent Black athletes and while it behooves us to spotlight our players, that amplification doesn’t stop between the lines of a basketball court,” said Liberty CEO Keia Clarke. “This year’s UNITY theme is a call-to-action for all of us to further champion and respect Black women in all fields. We will not only acknowledge them, but also, through the business expo and art exhibit, we’ll encourage fans to contribute to their successes as business owners and creators.”
In addition to curating the Black Women-Owned Business Expo on the concourse and pregame panel discussion, fashion game-changer and culture creator April Walker of Walker Wear, designed a custom t-shirt that will be gifted to the first 2,000 fans in attendance at Barclays Center.
“I’m so excited about joining forces this year with the New York Liberty, and to ‘see Black women’ in UNITY being intentional about empowering each other, knowing that when we lift up Black women, we’re creating sustainable communities and healthier ecosystems, said April Walker. “OWN YOUR CROWN.”
The Liberty will welcome back local artists Arthur Midianga and Watson Mere to curate the Seeing Black Women exhibit featuring several Black women artists with artwork available for purchase on the Main Concourse nearest section 23.
“The exhibition places a focus on the perspectives of nine contemporary black women artists, ranging from an array of artistic practices, who are all finding their way through the artistic labyrinth that is New York City,” said Arthur Midianga and Watson Mere. “The artists were asked to present one work through their artistry of what ‘See Black Women’ means to them and what sentiments this three-word statement invoke.”
The Liberty’s UNITY social justice platform was initiated by players in 2016 in response to the killings of unarmed Black men and women such as Sandra Bland, Philando Castile, Eric Garner, Michael Brown, Alton Sterling, and countless others.
Vendors featured in the Black Women-Owned Business Expo:
Ashaka Givens
AVNU
Buttered By Kenya
Hip Hop Closet
Hoop88Dreams
K. Milele
Miss Jessie’s
Notoriouss
Rytm.
University of Dope
Urban Asanas
Walker Wear
Artists featured in the Seeing Black Women Exhibit:
Ashleigh Alexandria
Dana Marie Bullock
Tiffany B. Chanel
Sandy Clafford
Jazmine Hayes
Kay Hickman
Kinna LeBlanc
Phoenix Robles
Native New Yorker and R&B recording artist LAYA will perform at halftime during the UNITY game. Fans can purchase tickets at seatgeek.com/nyliberty. For more information about the Liberty’s 2022 theme night games, please visit nyliberty.com.