SAN FRANCISCO, July 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Old Navy is
championing the unsung heroes of back-to-school – the incredible
teachers – through a series of music videos. The eight videos
feature original songs penned and performed by extraordinary
teachers from across the United
States. Created in partnership with Pharrell Williams' creative collective, i am
OTHER, the videos celebrate the launch of Old Navy's cause platform
ONward! focused on taking the next generation to the next
level.
In each video of the ONward! album, teachers impart
important messages to the next generation through catchy tunes
while outfitted in Old Navy's latest back-to-school styles.
- The title track "ONward!" by Cedric
Gardner, Youth Specialist and Professional Dancer from Boys
& Girls Clubs of Greater
Milwaukee, puts Old Navy's cause platform to music,
featuring Boys & Girls Clubs' kids as back-up dancers.
- "Welcome Back to School" by Dwayne
Reed, a Fifth Grade teacher at LEARN Campbell in
Chicago, provides a sequel to Mr.
Reed's 2016 viral sensation "Welcome to the 4th Grade"
with his signature uplifting rap style.
- "Sing Out" by Nathan Myers,
Choral Director at Booker T. Washington in Dallas, is a Broadway-style anthem about
finding your voice.
- "Strut" by Shani Perez,
Elementary School Arts Teacher at PS 51 in New York City, celebrates the annual fashion
show put on by her Fifth graders and features students strutting
down the runway.
- "Familia" by Kimberly Vega,
Kindergarten Teacher at KIPP Illuminar in Los Angeles, mixes lyrics in Spanish and
English in celebration of the strong Latino culture of East
LA.
- "A Fashion Computation" by Dr. Valerie
Camille Jones, Middle School Math Teacher at Ron Clark
Elementary in Atlanta, is a rap
about pulling together outfit combinations using simple math
equations.
- "Be Myself" by Beth Fortune,
Orchestra Director at Washington Middle School in Seattle, is a folk rock piece co-written and
performed with three of her students.
- "I Choose You" by Craig
Duchemin, Special Education teacher at Charles Hart Middle
School in Washington, D.C., is a
spoken word ballad about how our differences make us unique.
The team at i am OTHER lent their expertise to the project,
helping each teacher find their inner rock star through the
songwriting and recording process. Darius
Scott, a top 20 Finalist from Pharrell Williams' team on Season 9 of NBC's
The Voice, served as the lead music producer on the project
and also stars in the ONward! video. All videos are
available on Old Navy's YouTube page at YouTube.com/OldNavy, and
the songs are also available via Apple Music and Spotify.
The videos celebrate Old Navy's belief in big dreams and bigger
opportunities for the next generation. Through cause platform
ONward!, Old Navy partners with nonprofits to empower the
next generation with real-world skills, training, and job
opportunities to make a difference in our communities and blaze a
path forward to a brighter future. For over a decade, Old Navy has
partnered with Boys & Girls Clubs to help turn learners into
leaders, and has donated over $10
million to support the cause. The brand has also committed
to providing youth from local nonprofits with 10,000 jobs by 2020
through the This Way Ahead paid-internship and training
program. Learn more at OldNavy.com/ONward.
During the back-to-school shopping season, Old Navy is
sponsoring a fundraising campaign with the goal of raising
$1 million to benefit Boys &
Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) and Boys & Girls Clubs of
Canada (BGCC). From July 27 to August 7, Old Navy will match in-store
customer donations to BGCA and BGCC, combined up to $350,000. Customers can donate at the register at
all U.S. and Canada stores. Old
Navy is also adding functionality to their online checkout to allow
customers to donate year-round to the nonprofits that
ONward! supports.
About Old Navy
Old Navy is a global apparel and
accessories brand that makes current American essentials accessible
to every family. Originated in 1994, the brand celebrates the
democracy of style through on-trend, playfully optimistic,
affordable and high quality product. A division of
San Francisco-based Gap Inc.
(NYSE: GPS), Old Navy brings a fun, energizing shopping environment
to its customers in more than 1,000 stores around the world. For
more information, please visit www.oldnavy.com.
About i am OTHER
i am OTHER, founded by Pharrell
Williams, is a creative collective and strategic consultancy
specializing in music, film, television, fashion and branding. The
multi-faceted entertainment company serves as the umbrella for
Williams' various ventures. Built on the philosophy that
individuality is the new wealth, this sentiment flows through each
project. With offices in NY and LA, the collective creates
content with a unique voice and no regard to rules.
Media Contact:
Dava Huber
dava_huber@gap.com
212-206-4678
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SOURCE Old Navy