Film director Matthew Cherry, influencer Monica Veloz and NFL star Jerry Rice are just some of the celebrities helping Macy’s celebrate Black History Month this February.
The retailer has recruited the trio, alongside the comedian Phoebe Robinson, the activist Marley Dias and the celebrity hairstylist Kim Kimble, to headline a series of events as part of a celebration aimed at “embracing and expressing the diversity of Black people and culture.”
“Macy’s mission is to embed diversity and inclusion into how we think, act and operate,” said Shawn Outler, Macy’s chief diversity officer, in a statement. “We are strongest when we are representative of the many communities we serve and we are thrilled to offer our customers engaging Black History Month events that honor and reflect the Black experience and its impact on global culture.”
The events include a makeup tutorial and a discussion about diversity within the beauty industry, to be led by Monica Veloz at the company’s Baldwin Hills, Los Angeles, store. A screening of Matthew Cherry’s Oscar-nominated short film “Hair Love” will take place in Chicago, with the creative set to give a talk about the power of family, while Super Bowl champion Rice will put in an appearance at Macy’s Union Square in San Francisco.
Macy’s has also teamed up with New Jersey artist Lisa Hunt to create themed window displays in stores located in Chicago, New York City, Philadelphia and Washington, DC.
“My work explores the spatial and meditative relationships found within repeat patterns,” Hunt explained. “The windows are expressed with a minimalist approach inspired by Art Deco, traditional African and Eastern textiles comprised of graphic shapes, symbols and re-imagined typographic elements. The screen-printed patterns employ an aesthetic use of gold leaf as a nod to its adorning use throughout art history.”
Macy’s has also announced that it will donate $10,000 (over P509,00) to charitable organizations such as Jerry Rice’s 127 Foundation and local Urban Leagues to mark the month. CL /ra
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