PLANO, Texas, June 28, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Black voices
and stories are too often unheard. In its 2020 #AmplifyBlackVoices
work, Doritos recognized this and is now launching SOLID BLACK™, a
new multi-platform initiative backed by action and funding designed
to bolster the voices of Black innovators and creators and provide
them with resources to continue driving change. In total, Doritos
will invest more than $5 million as
part of the SOLID BLACK campaign to amplify stories of Black joy,
strength, and resilience.
The SOLID BLACK initiative kicks off this summer with the
introduction of Doritos' inaugural class of Changemakers: members
of the Black community using innovation and boldness to drive
culture and give back to their communities. Each Changemaker will
receive $50,000 in monetary support
to continue this work, and their stories will be spotlighted across
all of Doritos' public channels, including its website, social
media, packaging, and TV advertising. Starting July 2, fans can tune in every Friday to Doritos'
social channels to watch a new SOLID BLACK Friday segment
highlighting a different Changemaker's story.
Introducing the Doritos SOLID BLACK Inaugural Class of
2021
- Anthony and Janique
Edwards: Co-founders of EatOkra, the go-to app for
discovering local, Black-owned eateries. Their mission is to
connect thousands of foodies to Black restaurants and culinary
events while amplifying the dining experience for and by Black
communities.
- Ari
Melenciano: Brooklyn-based artist, creative
technologist at Google's Creative Lab, professor at NYU's Interactive Telecommunications Graduate
Program, and researcher who is passionate about exploring the
relationships between various forms of design and sentient
experiences. She is also the founder of Afrotectopia, a social
institution that is imagining, researching, and building at the
nexus of new media art, design, science, and technology through a
Black and Afrocentric lens.
- MsAshRocks: California-based gamer and Twitch streamer,
but more importantly an activist and an ally, who is dedicated to
inspiring young women, particularly those of color, and breaking
down gender roles within the gaming community. She also is a strong
advocate for mental health awareness.
- DeForrest Brown,
Jr.: New York City-based musician, writer,
lecturer, and a representative of the Make Techno Black Again
campaign. As a creator, he is focused on Black innovation in
electronic music and the ways in which people interact with
technology and how it affects their lives.
- Eric
Williams: Starting the business as a young
entrepreneur, Williams is the founder and owner of Nacho Bangers, a
one-of-a-kind restaurant inspired by Mexican cuisine that is giving
back to the city of Baltimore by
partnering with organizations that provide pathways for
entrepreneurship, financial empowerment, and social justice. He
does this by spreading positivity and connecting the enjoyment of
food and music by bringing together local artists and youth around
the world through his social media platforms and marketing.
- Nic Stone: New
York Times best-selling young
adult literature author, Spelman
College grad, and Atlanta-native who constantly strives to bring
diverse voices and stories to her work. In addition
to "Dear Martin," her books include "Dear
Justyce" and middle-grade novel, "Clean Getaway,"
"Odd One Out," "Jackpot," "Black Panther"
novels "Shuri and Shuri: The Vanished," as well
as "Blackout" and the soon to be published "Fast
Pitch."
- Sara Trail: Sewing
teacher, author, pattern and fabric designer, and founder of the
Social Justice Sewing Academy, a platform that empowers young
people to use sewing to express themselves, create opportunities
for growth and change, and educate communities.
"Doritos has long been a brand that believes in igniting and
championing bold self-expression and authenticity," said
Stacy Taffet, vice president of
marketing, Frito-Lay North America. "We are proud to provide a
platform and resources to innovators and creators who are making a
lasting impact on culture and hope that their stories can inspire
the next generation in the continued effort to create a more equal
and diverse world."
Commitment to Communities
To further support Black
entrepreneurs across the country, Doritos is committing
$100,000 to National Urban League,
the historic nonprofit civil rights organization dedicated to
economic empowerment, and is asking its fans to get involved by
visiting www.doritos.com/SOLIDBLACK. The first 1,000 people to
donate $10 or more to National Urban
League will receive a limited-edition Doritos SOLID BLACK bag
designed by Megan Lewis, an
award-winning artist from Baltimore best known for her 'Blk Women Period
LLC' series who was featured in Doritos' 2020 #AmplifyBlackVoices
campaign. The funds will be used to support minority-owned
businesses to allow them to expand and thrive.
"The National Urban League is proud to be teaming up with
Doritos on their SOLID BLACK initiative to help advocate for
economic and social justice for the Black community," said Marc H.
Morial, president and chief executive officer of the National Urban
League. "Every donation helps to create a real, positive impact on
Black-owned small businesses in communities across the nation."
Doritos' donation supplements the $10 million commitment to National
Urban League that The PepsiCo Foundation recently announced as part
of their Black Restaurant Accelerator program, providing
500 Black restaurant owners in 11 cities over the next five years
with capital, technical assistance, and mentorship services. These
efforts are part of the $400 million
commitment PepsiCo made over the next five years to advance racial
equality within the company, industry, and the communities it
serves.
The SOLID BLACK initiative was first highlighted during the BET
Awards on June 27 in a new Doritos TV
commercial. The TVC was created in partnership with BET and
featured artist Luke James who
appeared in last year's #AmplifyBlackVoices campaign.
To learn more about SOLID BLACK and the Changemakers' stories,
fans can visit www.doritos.com/SOLIDBLACK.
About Doritos
Doritos believes there's boldness in everyone. We champion those
who are true to themselves, who live life fully engaged and take
bold action by stepping outside of their comfort zone and pushing
the limits. Doritos is one of many Frito-Lay North America brands –
the $17 billion convenient foods division of PepsiCo,
Inc. (NASDAQ: PEP), which is headquartered in Purchase,
NY. Learn more about Frito-Lay at the corporate
website, http://www.fritolay.com/, and on
Twitter http://www.twitter.com/fritolay.
About PepsiCo
PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion
times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the
world. PepsiCo generated more than $70
billion in net revenue in 2020, driven by a complementary
food and beverage portfolio that includes Frito-Lay, Gatorade,
Pepsi-Cola, Quaker, Tropicana and SodaStream. PepsiCo's product
portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages,
including 23 brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail
sales.
Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in
Convenient Foods and Beverages by Winning with Purpose. "Winning
with Purpose" reflects our ambition to win sustainably in the
marketplace and embed purpose into all aspects of our business
strategy and brands. For more information, visit
www.pepsico.com
About National Urban League
The National Urban League
is a historic civil rights organization dedicated to economic
empowerment in order to elevate the standard of living in
historically underserved urban communities. The National Urban
League spearheads the efforts of its 91 local affiliates through
the development of programs, public policy research and advocacy,
providing direct services that impact and improve the lives of more
than 2 million people annually nationwide.
Visit www.nul.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and
Instagram: @NatUrbanLeague.
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SOURCE Frito-Lay North America