Fight Racism

Sounders FC invests in BIPOC youth through programs and partners that center health equity, play equity and environmental equity and that develop the pipeline of diverse talent. We acknowledge our privilege and by centering experts, use our platform to educate others around the systemic impacts of racism, privilege, bias and intolerance. We also center our spend on the ground floor with BIPOC and diverse-owned small businesses.

SUPPORT BIPOC AND DIVERSE-OWNED BUSINESSES

Sounders FC has teamed up with Intentionalist, an online guide to intentional spending that makes it easy to find and support small businesses and diverse local communities, for a collaboration to consistently support and tell the stories of BIPOC and diverse-owned businesses. 

Sounders FC and Intentionalist believe where you spend matters. We have partnered together to showcase these businesses that keep our community vibrant and encourage fans to support them through their spending. Fans interested in intentional spending can find select BIPOC and diverse-owned businesses, aligned with our Social Impact and cultural calendar, across Lumen Field on matchday.

EMPOWER BIPOC YOUTH

Sounders FC and RAVE Foundation have partnered with the Northwest African American Museum (NAAM) for “Books and Balls” giveaways in historically marginalized communities. RAVE Foundation provides a soccer ball to each youth, to give them access to sport and play, while NAAM provides children’s books curated by Black authors, illustrated by Black artists, and that center and affirm Black characters.

In alignment with our dedication to developing and investing in a diverse workforce that is representative of our community, we have partnered with Emerald Queen Casino (EQC) and the Puyallup Tribe of Indians to host a comprehensive career development partnership with Puyallup Tribe of Indians’ Chief Leschi Schools. With this long-term commitment, we are working to create opportunities for Indigenous youth to visualize their future by providing real-life work experiences and insights into professional sports careers.

PARTNER WITH COMMUNITY EXPERTS

As part of our commitment to amplify the voices of and learn from community experts, we have partnered with Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience, , Sea Mar Museum of Chicano/a/Latino/a Culture and Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture. Though largely spotlighted during related heritage months, our partnership with each museum is a continuous and intentional effort to inform our anti-racism work and further cultivate an inclusive environment for our community members of diverse backgrounds. We work closely with each museum to host events such as Sounders Day, where fans can receive free entry to learn about each community and its history in Washington state, soccer clinics at museum youth events with RAVE Foundation and more.