A Stand of Solidarity- Rio Ferdinand Foundation and Ralph Lauren unite.
The Rio Ferdinand Foundation (the Foundation) is now the European beneficiary of Ralph Lauren’s Pin of Solidarity—a timeless, tangible symbol of solidarity. This partnership recognises the Foundation’s ambition to create a more equal and inclusive society and empower more young people to realise their full potential.
Designed by Ralph Lauren’s Black Advisory Council, an internal Employee Impact Group at the Company, the pin is a symbol of allyship with Black communities and a gateway for conversation, connection and understanding. To honour the pin’s purpose and recognise the shared values between both organisations, Ralph Lauren will donate 100% of the profits (excluding manufacturing and related costs incurred) from the sale of each pin between 1 June 2023 and 31 May 2024 to the Rio Ferdinand Foundation.
Funds raised through sales of the pin throughout Europe will enable the Rio Ferdinand Foundation to support more young people to realise their potential. They will also help facilitate more training and mentoring sessions, giving young people the skills, self-belief, and support to empower equality and drive social change.
Since its original launch in fall 2021, Ralph Lauren’s Pin of Solidarity has helped support various regional beneficiaries working to create avenues for access within the retail industry and beyond, beginning with education.
The partnership, launched at Ralph Lauren’s Bond Street Flagship Store with Rio Ferdinand and representatives from Ralph Lauren’s European leadership team in attendance, recognises the ambition of both organisations to promote education equality.
The Rio Ferdinand Foundation has worked tirelessly over a decade to dispel limiting beliefs in young people and create a more equal and inclusive society worldwide. Through its partnerships, the Foundation has supported and empowered over 14,000 marginalised young people to reach their potential.
“I am delighted to announce this new partnership between the Rio Ferdinand Foundation and Ralph Lauren to support young people to build the skills, confidence, and knowledge to achieve their potential in life.
We all know that young people have fantastic energy, ambition, and talent – but unfortunately not everyone has the opportunities, networks, or support to take those gifts and use them to progress in their life or career.
This partnership and the funds raised through the Pin of Solidarity will deliver training, mentoring and careers opportunities for young people, engage them with professionals who can help steer their talents in the right direction and ultimately change life chances and achievements for young people facing challenges and obstacles every day.
Both my Foundation and Ralph Lauren have a commitment to social justice and social mobility for young people and communities and this partnership will allow us to work together, and bring people together, to achieve that change in society”
The Pin of Solidarity is available for purchase on RalphLauren.com and in select European stores.