Johnnie Walker celebrated their new ‘First Strides’ Initiative at an Angel City FC Anthem launch event in Los Angeles on March 23. First Strides is a long-term initiative that aims to celebrate, inspire and enable those people and organizations that are taking bold steps towards progress, and pushing boundaries to move culture forward for all.

The kick off event started with a special nod to strides being made for women’s progress, by releasing the official anthem for ACFC – “Running with the Angels.” Lilly Singh and Kenya Barris were in attendance along side key members of the Angel City FC community where guests enjoyed a special, first-ever performance of “Running with the Angels” by Tia P. and the LA Marching Band.

Created by five-time Grammy Award-winning artist Brittany Howard and LA-based artist Tia P., the anthem is an ode to the team’s trailblazing spirit, as the world’s first majority women-founded, owned and operated pro-soccer team, and will serve as a celebratory anthem for the team and fans alike.

Along with the hype anthem release, Johnnie Walker will enable more people to take bold steps towards progress via a series of First Strides grants. Anyone 21+ can apply for a First Stride grant but the brand will continue to dedicate funding to communities where inequality exists. Through a partnership with go-to crowdfunding marketplace IFundWomen, Johnnie Walker will support women entrepreneurs and fuel women-owned businesses. The brand is also introducing a grants and mentorship program with first-of-its-kind streaming service Blacktag, who is changing the model for pay equity among Black creators.

By Kinya Claiborne, STYLE & SOCIETY

Photo Credit: Joseph Ross Photography