Black Star, a program co-launched in Detroit that facilitates the growth of soccer in black American communities, today announced an all-new multiyear partnership with Allstate. Allstate is a founding partner and title sponsor of the Black Star ID and National Showcases.
Black Star — a For Soccer owned and operated property — seeks to accelerate grassroots development through community and soccer within black communities. For Soccer is a soccer marketing, media, and experiences company formed in January 2023 through the merger of For Soccer Ventures and Gilt Edge Soccer Marketing.
Launched in 2021 in Detroit and Los Angeles, Black Star is committed to cultivating black soccer culture, increasing access to the sport, and providing player development pathways on and off the field.
“If you love soccer, we believe you should be able to play,” says Dan Keats, director of consumer marketing and sponsorships at Allstate. “We’re investing in Black Star because we know that soccer unites communities. We want to create broader access to the sport that new young players can enjoy while continuing our commitment to help protect the future of the game.”
The 2023 Black Star calendar includes First-Touch Youth Clinics, Allstate Black Star ID Showcases, Boyd Parker Sports Group’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities Soccer ID Camps, and Community Pickup programming in Detroit (July 22-23), Washington D.C. (July 29-30), New York City (Aug. 5-6).
In June, Black Star and Allstate hosted community events in Los Angeles.
“Through this multiyear and impactful partnership with Allstate, Black Star will only continue building something special in these communities across America,” says Ernesto Bruce, CEO of For Soccer. “We are proud of what the Black Star programming has achieved, and thrilled to see where the program goes with a partner like Allstate.”
Black Star director and For Soccer’s Patrick Rose guides a Black Star team featuring a nine-person advisory board with extensive experience in men’s and women’s professional soccer, soccer business, education, marketing, and media.
For registration and more information, visit blackstarsoccer.com.
Black Star, launched in 2021, provides free soccer programming and strives to build community engagement through content, storytelling, experiences, and capsule collections.
The 2023 advisory board includes former U.S. Women’s National Team star, general manager, and co-owner of the NWSL’s Angel City FC Angela Hucles; former MLS and U.S. Men’s National Team star Cobi Jones; senior vice president of Dentsu Media, Karine Tavieso; licenced FIFA agent Maggie Ntim; education executive and partner at City Fund Patrick Dobard; former USMNT star Maurice Edu; current USMNT star and professional player Mark McKenzie; vice president of marketing and brand at the NWSL’s Gotham FC Jonna Valente; and director of partnerships at BODYARMOR Donald Rouse.
