July 22, 2022 – Today, Sperry, the iconic American footwear brand known for creating the original boat shoe, in collaboration with Claima, the innovative podcast and creative content company committed to inspiring the next generation of BIPOC creatives and entrepreneurs, is thrilled to announce a limited 3-part docuseries, “Reclaim Your Water.” Directed by prominent filmmaker and outdoor enthusiast, Faith E. Briggs, “Reclaim Your Water” spotlights three Black and Brown entrepreneurs connected to and inspired by water and how each reclaims what was once weaponized to build community and create change.
The first-of-its-kind partnership is a part of Sperry’s purpose platform “All For Water. Water For All.” The initiative expresses the brand’s commitment to protecting our waterways, as well as its declaration that all people are welcome on the water and should have access and the ability to enjoy it. Claima worked alongside the leading footwear brand to place the Black experience with water on a national stage and create storytelling that would educate and inspire a more equitable environment in the water space. “Reclaim Your Water” poignantly highlights how communities of color can reclaim water as a healing and enjoyable experience for all through the lens of each subject.
“At Sperry, we believe in the power of water and its ability to help people feel balanced, energized, and calm,” said Sperry Chief Marketing Officer Elizabeth Drori. “As we aspire to unlock these feelings and experiences for everyone, we know that the water has not been an equitable place. It has been a privilege to partner with Claima and Faith Briggs on this groundbreaking docuseries. By sharing these important stories, we hope to spark new dialogue and understanding, and ultimately work towards creating an environment where everyone, everywhere, feels welcome on the water.”
“Throughout history, water has long been weaponized against Black communities, from slavery and segregation to Hurricane Katrina and the Flint water crisis.” said Claima Co-Founder Bimma Williams. “We were honored to work with Sperry in their commitment to equity and inclusion to not only bring awareness to this historical structural racism, consciously and subconsciously, surrounding water, but also to empower and inspire people of color to embrace and reclaim its cultural value.”
The docuseries, which takes place throughout the country, includes an intimate look inside the lives of Co-founders Thurman and Torrence Thomas of Tankproof, a Louisiana-based organization that gives under-served youth the lifesaving gift of swimming; Jahmicah Dawes, the owner of SlimPickins Outfitters, the first ever Black owned gear shop, and Natasha Smith, a community leader and surf trainer who has played a role in teaching the founders of Ebony Beach Club how to surf.
“The ‘Reclaim Your Water’ project celebrates the hard-won resilience of individuals whom, in spite of longstanding systemic obstacles, choose to make a life and seek joy around water,” said Filmmaker and Director Faith E. Briggs. “We hope that this docuseries inspires and invites others to follow a similar path and amplifies the work these communities are doing to rewrite the narrative of Black people in a space weaponized against us. We are delighted to share their seemingly non dimmable light with our audiences.”
In addition to the multi-dimensional “Reclaim Your Water” docuseries, Sperry has offered three $15,000 grants to initiatives that provide a more equitable environment in the water space, including Tank Proof, a non-profit organization that gives youth in under-served communities education and essentials to navigate life’s currents, alongside donations to both Slim Pickins and Ebony Beach Club to fund events that teach people of color how to surf and fish.
The first video of the docuseries goes live on Sperry’s YouTube channel on July 22nd.
You can find more information surrounding the video series at www.sperry.com/waterforall
About Claima Stories:
Claima was created on the premise to help creatives of color not only claim a seat at the table, but also build their own table. Co-created by Bimma Williams and BJ Frogozo, the #1 Apple Careers podcast has since evolved from a passion project podcast to a creative content agency focused on storytelling that represents creatives and entrepreneurs of color. Through authentic storytelling and content production, Claima has successfully worked with brands such as Vista, Sperry, Converse and more to produce strategic and impactful initiatives that connect and inspire communities of color. This year, Claima Stories enters its third season.
About Sperry:
Sperry was founded in 1935 by avid sailor, inventor and intrepid explorer Paul Sperry, and the brand has built a legacy of innovation for over eight decades. As creators of the world’s first boat shoe, Sperry is fully rooted in American style and has crafted the tools for life’s memorable experiences on, off and by the water ever since. Sperry strives to be inclusive, environmentally conscious, community oriented, and purpose driven. Sperry is a division of Wolverine World Wide, Inc. www.sperry.com @sperry
About Faith E. Briggs: Faith is a documentary filmmaker, creative producer and podcast host passionate about sharing contemporary stories from diverse communities. Both behind and in front of the camera, she works with brands, non-profit organizations, institutions and individual creatives to create media representative of the world we live in and the better one we are working together to create. https://www.faithebriggs.com/@faithevebee
