FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – During the New England Revolution’s match celebrating the Juneteenth holiday on Sunday, June 19, the New England Revolution Players Collaborative Fund awarded the North Shore Juneteenth Association with a $20,000 grant to support the organization’s mission to educate the broader community about positive aspects of Black American culture and dismantle racism by using events and programming as a tool for change.
The is a group of community leaders seeking to create awareness about the Juneteenth holiday through a series of yearly events and programs. Juneteenth is an American holiday that commemorates June 19, 1865, the date that enslaved Black people of Galveston, Texas learned that President Abraham Lincoln has freed enslaved people in rebel states, more than two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. As Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom, the NSJA strives to inspire reflection on the complexity of the Black American experience, how far we have come, and how we will continue to move forward.
Nicole Jacob, a Board Member with the NSJA and a mother of three living north of Boston, was honored as the Revolution’s Hero of the Match during Sunday’s contest, a 2-1 win vs. Minnesota United FC at Gillette Stadium on June 19. In her role as board member, Jacob has been influential in planning the Black Excellence 5K, held annually in April. During the on-field moment of recognition, Jacob was surprised with the $20,000 donation by New England Revolution goalkeeper Earl Edwards Jr., President and Co-Founder of Black Players for Change.
“The North Shore Juneteenth Association is thrilled to be partnering with the New England Revolution as we continue our work to educate the Boston community on Black American culture and combat systemic racism,” Nicole Jacob added. “We are grateful for this support from the Revolution players and organization, and we look forward to their ongoing support as we invest these new resources in our ever-expanding list of community programs and events.”
The Revolution Players Collaborative Fund is funded by the Kraft family and has donated $120,000 to date to grassroots organizations working to address social injustice and racial inequality. Each recipient is selected by a coalition of Revolution players including several members of Black Players for Change, an independent organization consisting of over 170 Black players, coaches, and staff of MLS, working to bridge the racial equality gap that exists in society. The NSJA joins previous beneficiaries Dress for Success Providence, Bottom Line Boston, Inner City Weightlifting, the Center for Health & Justice Transformation, New England Culinary Arts Training (NECAT), and the Emerging Adult Court of Hope (EACH).
ABOUT BLACK PLAYERS FOR CHANGE:
Black Players for Change (BPC) is an independent 501(c)(3) organization consisting of over 170+ Black players, coaches and staff of MLS, working to bridge the racial equality gap that exists in society. BPC is committed to tackling the racial injustices that have limited Black people from having an equitable stake in the game of soccer and society. Among the many goals the organization strives to advance the attention on human rights inequalities from protest to programs, partnerships and policies that address systemic discrimination. For more information visit www.BlackPlayersForChange.org or follow us on Twitter and Instagram. #TogetherThereWillBeChange.
ABOUT C.H.A.N.G.E.
The New England Revolution Collaborative Players Fund is one pillar of the club’s C.H.A.N.G.E. platform, committed to address social injustice and racial inequality in the local community. C.H.A.N.G.E. stands for Converse, Help, Amplify, Nurture, Galvanize, and Educate. Learn more about the C.H.A.N.G.E. platform at Revolutionsoccer.net/change.
