As the city of Los Angeles geared up for NBA All-Star Weekend, Shoes That Fit was focused on something even bigger than basketball: helping children move Forward. In the week leading up to the festivities, Shoes That Fit and its partners provided more than 950 students in Inglewood and Compton with brand-new athletic shoes. But this wasn’t just about footwear. It was about confidence. Belonging. Opportunity. It was about removing barriers so kids can step boldly into their future.
FORWARD IN INGLEWOOD
At Woodworth-Monroe Academy in Inglewood, 650 students received new shoes thanks to a powerful partnership with Philadelphia Insurance Companies (PHLY), former Los Angeles Laker Derek Fisher’s Be Better Foundation, and the Los Angeles Sparks. From the moment students walked into the gym, the energy was electric. High-fives from Derek Fisher. Deafening cheers when Sparky (the Sparks mascot) burst through the doors.
Laughter, celebration, and wide-eyed disbelief as students carried out their new shoes. One administrator shared words that perfectly captured the impact:
“Events like this level the playing field for kids. Everyone is the same; they are all wearing new shoes, so no one is above the other. Egos are checked at the door.”
That’s what Forward looks like. When insecurity is replaced with confidence. When every child starts on equal footing. When barriers fall away and kids can focus on learning, growing, and dreaming bigger.
FORWARD IN COMPTON
The momentum continued in Compton at Bunche Middle School, a California Distinguished School, where Shoes That Fit partnered with Rack Room Shoes and the Chris Paul Family Foundation. Through Rack Room’s partnership with Jordan Brand, students received a new line of Jordan sneakers. And while middle schoolers don’t always show their excitement freely, their enthusiastic smiles told the story. Chris Paul encouraged students to keep chasing their dreams, reminding them that where they start does not determine where they finish.
Community leaders, including Congresswoman Maxine Waters and Compton Mayor Emma Sharif, were in attendance, alongside Chris Paul’s parents, Shoes That Fit board member and Jordan Brand General Manager (North America) Jeremy Bolds, Jordan Brand team members, and the Rack Room Shoes Brand Communications Team—all showing students that their futures matter.
WHY FORWARD MATTERS
Rack Room Shoes, a dedicated partner for 18 years, deepened its impact by presenting both Shoes That Fit and the Chris Paul Family Foundation with $25,000 grants to advance the mission of each organization. These All-Star moments are about more than celebration; they are about momentum. Each pair of new shoes represents a step forward for a child who might otherwise feel overlooked or held back. When students are equipped with something as simple, yet essential, as new athletic shoes, they gain more than comfort. They gain confidence. They gain dignity. They gain the freedom to fully participate in the classroom, on the playground, and in their communities. A pair of shoes reminds kids that they are supported, valued, and capable of more than they may realize. And when a child begins to believe that, everything starts to shift. Because when a child feels like an all-star today, they’re more prepared to become one tomorrow.
