NAACP Creative Sole Scholarship Powered by Vans

May 20 21 under Articles, Contests, NEWS | Comments Off

Vans, the original action sports brand and advocate for creative expression, has partnered with the NAACP, the nation’s preeminent social justice and civil rights organization, to launch the ‘NAACP Creative Sole Scholarship Powered by Vans.’ As part of Vans’ commitment to uplift and drive equity, diversity and inclusion within our communities and our industry, this scholarship program aims to support African American students by providing them with monetary aid to use towards their college education as they pursue a creative career across a variety of disciplines including art, music, journalism, marketing, design, communications, or architecture. Full eligibility requirements below.

Applications for the NAACP Creative Sole Scholarship Powered by Vans opened today and will remain open until June 18, 2021. 50 students will be selected as recipients of the scholarship by N-SPIRE, a committee within NAACP that focuses on the creation, development and awarding of scholarship programs. The selected students will be announced August 9 and each will receive $5,000 to use towards their tuition fees. As a way for Vans to continue supporting these students throughout their entire college education, Vans will award the selected students $5000 each year that they are enrolled up until four years, which means one student could receive a total of $20,000 through the program, if eligibility requirements continue to be met. Vans hopes to incentivize the selected students to complete their full college education and graduate at the end of the four years.

To learn more about the application process, eligibility or to share with friends or family who may be interested in applying for the scholarship, please be sure to visit naacp.org.

“Vans’ commitment to tackle racism while ensuring diversity and inclusion become a mainstay across communities and industries is an essential step in the fight against institutional racism. We look forward to a sustained partnership that brings about change for the Black community.”

– YUMEKA RUSHING, CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER, NAACP

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR CREATIVE SOLE SCHOLARSHIP:

Applicants must:

• Be African American and a member of the NAACP.

• Be currently enrolled full-time or accepted to an accredited college or university in the US.

• Be a graduating high school senior or undergraduate student.

• Possess a grade point average of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 system.

• Demonstrate interest in pursuing creative careers, i.e., art, music, journalism, marketing, design, communications, architecture or film as examples.

• Be a US resident.

Rest In Peace Vans Co-Founder Paul Van Doren (1930-2021)

May 7 21 under Heritage, History, NEWS, Van Doren, Waffleheads | 3 Comments

This is pretty heavy news right here to wake up to this morning. Vans co-founder Paul Van Doren, has passed away after being on this earth for 90 years. This news comes just one week after the launch of his memoir, “Authentic“. We have him to thank, for this awesome brand that has given us an identity, and a true sense of community. Always reminding us to be authentic, and do things our own way, while remembering to make it about the people. We will never lose sight of that. Vans has created more opportunity for us, than anything else, and we ultimately have Paul Van Doren to thank for that. We’ll always honor you, and your name lives on through your family, and through the extended Wafflehead family. You will be missed, but never forgotten. Thank you, Paul.

VANS PARTNERS WITH LOS ANGELES HIGH SCHOOL TO DONATE COMPUTERS TO ALL STUDENTS

Apr 12 21 under Events, Heritage, History, NEWS | Comments Off

Vans, the original action sports footwear and apparel brand and advocate for creative expression, partnered with the Los Angeles School of Global Studies and nonprofit EduCare Foundation to donate Chromebooks to all of its students. On April 10th, every student from 9th to 12th grade at LASGS received a free computer as part of a large distribution resulting in 320 being handed out. With nearly all of the students at or below the poverty level, the donation makes it possible for students to remain in school further closing the digital divide.

This distribution marked the first time Vans has ever donated computers, let alone to an entire school. Steve Van Doren, son of the Vans founder Paul Van Doren, was also in attendance at the event and personally handed out the Chromebooks with handwritten messages of support. Vans also had a large motorhome that distributed shoes and other goods for students and their family members. This initiative further reinforces Vans’ core ethos: empowering, motivating and giving back to youth culture.

Alongside the support of non-profit EduCare that serves several LAUSD schools, the Los Angeles School of Global Studies (LASGS) is a high school located in Downtown Los Angeles with an unconventional take on teaching and education. Their unique approach to learning is based on an “environment that engages, a culture that empowers, outcomes that matter and technology that enables”. LASGS’s mission is to not only empower its students with its progressive pedagogy, but also through “social emotional learning” which promotes and teaches self-awareness, personal responsibility, empathy, and compassion – creating a learning environment in which youth can flourish and realize.

“Donations that go directly to the community are so important for our student population. I am thankful that Vans, in collaboration with Educare, could get technology out to our students so that our school community can access the school curriculum.” – Christian Quintero, Principal of the Los Angeles School of Global Studies.

more pics after the jump Read More

Vans Introduces New Livestream Broadcast Channel 66

Feb 10 21 under Art, Articles, House of Vans, Interviews, NEWS, Videos, Waffleheads | Comments Off

Vans is excited to announce the launch of Channel 66, a digital livestream network broadcasting weekdays from New York City, Chicago, Mexico City, and Los Angeles to audiences around the world. Vans version of community radio meets public access TV, Channel 66 is an embodiment of Vans’ commitment to support artists and creatives while also uplifting communities during such an unprecedented time. The COVID-19 pandemic has forever altered the events landscape and Vans has a deep history of reimagining event experiences and grassroots programs.

Channel 66 spotlights each city’s unique heritage in sub-culture by programming through the lens of the people who live it. Channel 66 offers a live audio and video broadcast featuring DJ sets, curated radio shows, talks, workshops, and musical performances across music, art, action sports and community. The General in Brooklyn, NY, House of Vans Chicago, Mexico City (broadcasting Spanish speaking shows), and Vans DTLA serve as Channel 66 studio locations.

Programming highlights include curated shows like Chessboxing with GZA, New Direction New York Hardcore show with Walter Schreifels, Afropunk’s Channel Interference, Poetry and lyricism by Young Chicago Authors, The Girl Ultra Show connecting music and fashion, and All Ages Show spotlighting Los Angeles’s rich heritage in DIY and punk.

Early show guests and DJs feature Japanese Breakfast, Channel Tres, Vic Mensa, Laura Jane Grace, Duckwrth, Rosa Pistola, Flea, Serena Isioma, Vans Pro skater Daniel Lutheran and many more. Additionally, Channel 66 turns over the airwaves to local skate shops, restaurants, music venues, and independent record labels.

Channel 66 went live on February 8^th and will continue to broadcast starting at 11:00am EST / 8:00 am PST every weekday with Friday nights featuring marquee live performances and dance-oriented DJ sets. As distance and separation from others has become an unfortunate reality for everyone across the world, Vans strives to cultivate Channel 66 as a place where audiences from all walks of life can come together to find inspiration.

To stay up to date with Channel 66 broadcasts and upcoming events online follow along at vans.com/channel66.

Follow Channel 66 on Instagram at vanschannel66.

more pics after the jump Read More

VANS DONATES $1M+ TO GLOBAL CHARITIES IN SUPPORT OF MENTAL HEALTH

Dec 15 20 under NEWS | Comments Off

Today, Vans, the original action sports brand and advocate for creative expression, commemorates the second-annual #VansCheckerboardDay held on November 19, with a more than $1 million donation to 10 global charities to champion the power of creative expression.

continue reading after the jump Read More

Vans Musicians Wanted Campaign

Sep 28 20 under Bands, Contests, House of Vans, NEWS | Comments Off

Vans Launches ‘Musicians Wanted’ Global Music Competition to Spotlight Undiscovered Artists and Award the Chance to Share The Stage with Celebrated Musician Anderson .Paak

Digital Music Competition is Open to Artists of All Genres Globally;

Finalists Will Earn Vans Product, Fender Gear, Spotify Playlisting and More!

Submit Original Music Now at Vans.com/MusiciansWanted

Vans, the original action sports brand and global icon for creative self-expression is proud to launch the Vans Musicians Wanted competition globally for the first time since its inception in 2015. Vans Musicians Wanted is the brand’s global music program that aims to provide a platform for musicians who are just starting out. The contest series will celebrate fresh, new and “Off The Wall” talent from all genres. For its 2020 global debut, each region around the world will provide undiscovered artists the chance to gain international exposure and the opportunity to share the stage with Grammy award-winning artist, Anderson .Paak. Additional prizes include Vans product, Fender gear, global music distribution, Spotify and Apple Music playlisting and more!

Originally created by Vans’ Asia-Pacific region in 2015, the Vans Musicians Wanted competition began as a program to directly enable local, undiscovered musicians to submit their original music and be discovered on a national scale. With more than 7,000 artists that have entered the program since its inception, Vans is proud to launch the program globally to welcome artists from the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, Europe and Asia-Pacific regions for a chance to share their original music with the world. Artists can submit their original music now through October 11 on Vans.com/MusiciansWanted.

Vans evolves the 2020 global platform into competition series that is truly digital and open to all musicians and genres of music. The brand continues to curate and build experiences that are optimized for digital; allowing promising talent anywhere the opportunity to participate through digital submission of music and virtual concerts on a global scale.

Featuring special guest judges as part of the selection process, Vans Musicians Wanted welcomes J.I.D and Bohan Phoenix, artists featured in the Vans latest brand campaign, ‘THIS IS OFF THE WALL’, European based singer-songwriter Nilüfer Yanya, and Grammy award-winning artist, Anderson .Paak to review the top-5 artists from each region. Three artists will be chosen to perform at the Vans Musicians Wanted Virtual Concert, to be held this December. One grand prize winner will be selected to receive Vans product, Fender Gear, global music distribution, Spotify and Apple Music playlisting and the opportunity to share the stage with Anderson .Paak as the opening act in 2021.

Vans’ Musicians Wanted competition is an inclusive global platform that enables creative self-expression through music and provides a direct path for undiscovered artists to step into the limelight and gain global exposure. To enter your original music now and read official contest rules, please visit Vans.com/musicianswanted.

Vans Opens Very First Asia Boutique in TX Huaihai, Shanghai

Sep 21 20 under Asia, Events, Friends, NEWS, Vault | Comments Off

Special shout-out to our boy Eason He, and his awesome Vans x WTAPS collection he let them use for the huge WTAPS display! It came out awesome. Now, how do we get that neon crossbones sign?!

Words via Hypebeast:

“Vans has just opened the doors to its first boutique in Asia. The space is in Shanghai’s TX Huaihai, a new retail complex that aims to bridge the worlds of art and fashion.

Located on the ground floor, the shop will include a run of Vans’ mainline, in addition to the footwear label’s pro skateboard series, Anaheim line and Vault by Vans collections. Apart from the wide selection of footwear offerings, the store was also made as a communal event space for art, live music and skateboarding. The space is walled by wood and concrete for a warm ambiance. Vans commissioned artist Sinic Choy to decorate the wall behind the cashier with an expressive sequence of Chinese calligraphy that integrates elements of Western-style graffiti — a custom LED chandelier above the counter mirrors this style. Other parts of the store like the changing room, a display of pro skater Hyunjun Koo’s deck collection and a music station complete the new space”.

Vans Shanghai
TX Huaihai, G/F
523 Huaihai Zhong Lu
Shanghai, China

more pics after the jump Read More

Vans Hosts Virtual Grad Night For Class of 2020

Jun 22 20 under Bands, Events, Heritage, History, NEWS, Videos | Comments Off

Words via Vans:

“As the graduating Class of 2020 celebrates this important milestone, Vans will be hosting a special virtual grad night on Friday, June 26 at 6pm PST as they embark on the next chapter of their lives.

While circumstances have made students and families celebrate at home, Vans hopes to inspire the graduating Class of 2020 to continue to be changemakers now and into the future. Vans is dedicated to enabling self-expression and creativity among the youth by creating an inclusive community focused on supporting one another and recognizing the global connection between action sports, art, music and street culture.

Virtual grad night speakers such as Steve Van Doren, son of Vans founder Paul Van Doren, Tony Hawk, Ray Barbee, Sami Miro and more, will be sharing personal messages to the graduates, encouraging students to pursue their passions, share helpful tips towards success and what it means to live “Off The Wall.” To conclude the ceremony, there will be a live music performance by King Princess and after party DJ set by SG Lewis.”

Students, families, teachers and Vans fans can tune in at 6pm PST on Vans official YouTube, Vans.com, Vans Facebook and the Vans Family app for a fun, special event.

When: Friday, June 26, 2020 at 6:00PM PST

Who:

Where:

Vans Gives Back – Frontline Appreciation Discount (30% OFF!)

May 19 20 under Friends, Heritage, NEWS | Comments Off

This week, Vans will be offering a 30% discount off to all first responders and healthcare workers in the United States to thank them for their dedication and bravery in the fight against COVID-19 (May 18 – 25). Throughout the week, both frontline workers and healthcare providers are eligible, including those in emergency medicine, general practice, internal medicine, physical therapists, EMTS, firefighters, police and more.

As Vans continues to reach out to those tirelessly keeping our communities safe during an unprecedented time, Vans has also kicked off an exciting contest offering a LIFETIME supply of Vans to a winner and a frontline hero of their choosing. Contestants are asked to share a photo of their latest creative pursuit whether it’s a new hobby, personal artwork, jam session with a pet or skate trick. Vans wants to see how folks are staying inspired within action sports, art music and street culture.

Vans and Tony Hawk Announce Official Brand Partnership

Apr 14 20 under Articles, Heritage, History, NEWS | Comments Off

Vans®, the original action sports footwear and apparel brand, officially announced the beginning of a historic partnership with skateboarding legend and global youth icon, Tony Hawk. Sharing a profound heritage in action sports and an undisputed commitment to skate culture, Vans and Tony Hawk unite in 2020 to create authentic and inspiring brand initiatives that will enable creative expression through skateboarding.

“Vans has supported skateboarding since the very beginning, and never wavered in its commitment, even with massive mainstream success,” said Tony Hawk. “I have always respected their integrity, so it is an honor to officially join forces and help continue to grow skateboarding culture in the most authentic way possible.”

Joining Vans as an official global brand ambassador, Tony Hawk will partner with the brand to promote Vans’ global brand platforms, including his continued involvement as a color commentator in the Vans Park Series, in addition to producing a brand-new professional Vert skateboarding competition.

“Tony Hawk’s name is synonymous with skateboarding for fans around the world,” said Bobby Gascon, global director of action sports for Vans. “He is a pioneer and has inspired millions to pick up a board with his incredible talent. We are honored that he’ll be supporting Vans’ mission to promote and grow skateboarding globally.”

Hawk’s earliest memory of Vans dates back to the late ‘70s. “Vans were the first skate shoes I ever wore, beginning in 1978,” Hawk shared. “My dad bought me a pair and I begged him for the ‘ankle guard’ accessory because high-tops weren’t available yet. I wore Vans almost exclusively until the mid ‘80s.”

In the current environment of collective social distancing, Vans and Hawk remain focused on the positive impact that skateboarding can provide. By creating initiatives and events that support skate communities around the world, this partnership will bring fans together through engaging social livestream campaigns, philanthropic give-back programs, and creative product collaborations.

As a start, Vans recently launched “Foot The Bill”, a customization initiative to support small, independent business partners from around the world who are dealing with the direct business impacts of COVID-19. With skate shops as the central hub for skate communities around the world, “Foot The Bill” will work to support them with custom designed Vans footwear. The net proceeds from each pair of Vans Customs sold through the program will go directly to that small business to provide some relief during this challenging time.

“These days are extremely difficult for so many, which is why we are hoping to provide some fun and creativity for the global community to enjoy,” Hawk said of the program. “In unprecedented times like these, we need to stay positive, support each other and keep creating.”

To learn more about Tony Hawk, and the Vans Skateboarding program, please visit Vans.com/skate.

more pics after the jump Read More