The Angel City Football Club was built on community outreach and inclusion; they continue to do just that during Black History Month.
The ACFC recently released its 2024 Black History and Futures Month Collection. The apparel collection consists of a hat, scarf, and t-shirt designed by Tyler Mishá Barnett.
A major part of her design was the silhouette of faces, she noted how that symbolizes “the interconnectedness of all of our people.”
“I really wanted to start with the themes of community and unity, I feel like those are two themes that are important for Black History and personally important to me,” Barnett said. “I wanted to convey that in the design.”
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Barnett is a native of Rancho Cucamonga and is elated to design for a women’s pro team in Los Angeles. ACFC senior director of commerce Cherise Crichlow noted how Barnett understands the culture of the city.
“[ACFC] put what we wanted to envision and also she wanted to make sure we showcased her artistry as well,” Crichlow said. “It worked out and we did very few revisions but we just connected.”
The collection supports a cause that galvanizes the Los Angeles community as 10 percent of the proceeds will go to the Niles Foundation, which prioritizes environmental sustainability and equity for women and youth.
“Not only do we have this land, we purchased land so that the community can have access,” said Niles Foundation founder and CEO Shante Walker. “Especially BIPOC communities because part of it is we usually don’t have the access nor the equity and we’re the most disinvested.”
On Saturday, ACFC executives along with Barnett and community members visited the Niles Foundation Park for its monthly pocket park beautification project.
“A part of the community work that we do is mobilizing, so coming out into the community, helping organizations, working alongside them,” said ACFC senior director of community impact Chris Fajardo. “In addition, we’re also doing a donation as a part of our Black History and Futures celebration.”
One of their pocket parks is Flower on 28th Street Park located right next to the 110 freeway. The volunteers trimmed plants, pulled weeds and swept up the walkways.
“It’s such a beautiful thing to come upon it and feel like it’s an oasis,” said ACFC head of community and marketing Catherine Dávila. “It feels like a very protected and nurturing space but also mentally.”
To view the ACFC Black History an Futures Month Collection, please visit https://shop.angelcity.com/collections/black-history-and-futures-month. To learn more about the Niles Foundation, please visit https://thenilesfoundation.org/
