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Dining with Legends at Nike LAHQ

Nike

Inside Nike’s Future 50 for Her Event in Los Angeles

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Meditation & Conversation at Blue Ribbon Sports

Inside Nike’s Future 50 for Her Event in Los Angeles

The first BRS retail store opened its doors in 1967 in Santa Monica, and became a place where runners all across Los Angeles would come and find community and safety with each other. The space is still a safe haven and hub for runners today.

03of 11Panel with Joan Benoit Samuelson and Chloe KimNikeAfter meditation, Vanessa Garcia-Brito, Nike’s vice president of North America Communications, held a Q&A with Joan Benoit Samuelson — legendary marathon runner who set a women’s world record at the 1979 Boston Marathon while attending Bowdoin College,andwon gold at the 1984 Olympics — and Chloe Kim — snowboarder andtwo-time Olympic gold medalist— about the growing pains they experienced throughout their careers.Samuelson, who’s been a Nike athlete for decades, shared how being in the right place and right time gave her theopportunity to pursue running as a careerduring a time when women were not accepted in the sport.“I was a first year student in a small high school in Maine, and that was the same year that Nike was founded,” she said to the group. “So to be the beneficiary ofTitle IX legislationand to become a Nike athlete meant I was at the right place at the right time,” she continued, referring to the federal law which prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance.“Fortunately, I was afforded the opportunity to compete in the Olympics because of the women who preceded me in sport — which little was known because women just weren’t given the time and exposure back then as they are today,” she added. “We still have miles to go but we’ll get there.“For Kim, it was the lack of representation as an Asian American athlete that drove her to want to be the best version of herself as a person and athlete.“I wished that I had somebody that I could relate to, but in snowboarding [and winter sports] there weren’t that many Asian Americans in general so I didn’t know who to turn to,” she shared. “I experienced a lot of struggle … It was really, really hard.““As I got older,I started to understand why representation is so important,” she continued. “I’m seeing so many more Asian American snowboarders come up, and it makes me so happy.““I know how hard I’m working to be a good role model for them, and I know how hard it must be for them, and so that truly inspires me to be the best version of myself.”

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Panel with Joan Benoit Samuelson and Chloe Kim

Inside Nike’s Future 50 for Her Event in Los Angeles

After meditation, Vanessa Garcia-Brito, Nike’s vice president of North America Communications, held a Q&A with Joan Benoit Samuelson — legendary marathon runner who set a women’s world record at the 1979 Boston Marathon while attending Bowdoin College,andwon gold at the 1984 Olympics — and Chloe Kim — snowboarder andtwo-time Olympic gold medalist— about the growing pains they experienced throughout their careers.

Samuelson, who’s been a Nike athlete for decades, shared how being in the right place and right time gave her theopportunity to pursue running as a careerduring a time when women were not accepted in the sport.

“I was a first year student in a small high school in Maine, and that was the same year that Nike was founded,” she said to the group. “So to be the beneficiary ofTitle IX legislationand to become a Nike athlete meant I was at the right place at the right time,” she continued, referring to the federal law which prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance.

“Fortunately, I was afforded the opportunity to compete in the Olympics because of the women who preceded me in sport — which little was known because women just weren’t given the time and exposure back then as they are today,” she added. “We still have miles to go but we’ll get there.”

For Kim, it was the lack of representation as an Asian American athlete that drove her to want to be the best version of herself as a person and athlete.

“I wished that I had somebody that I could relate to, but in snowboarding [and winter sports] there weren’t that many Asian Americans in general so I didn’t know who to turn to,” she shared. “I experienced a lot of struggle … It was really, really hard.”

“As I got older,I started to understand why representation is so important,” she continued. “I’m seeing so many more Asian American snowboarders come up, and it makes me so happy.”

“I know how hard I’m working to be a good role model for them, and I know how hard it must be for them, and so that truly inspires me to be the best version of myself.”

04of 11Inclusive Design for Every Body PanelNikeBack at the LAHQ, Nike executives Karie Conner, Becca Kerr, Tania Flynn, Bridget Munro and Melissa Schirripa led a session on the brand’s effort to create more inclusive designs for every body.“One of the biggest shifts you’re seeing from Nike is we’re embracing an expanded meaning of athletes,” said Flynn, vice president of women’s apparel design. “Nike’s playing field has widened and [is] leading to a surge of meaningful women’s innovation – from maternity to modesty to new bra and leggings for all body shapes and sizes.”

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Inclusive Design for Every Body Panel

Inside Nike’s Future 50 for Her Event in Los Angeles

Back at the LAHQ, Nike executives Karie Conner, Becca Kerr, Tania Flynn, Bridget Munro and Melissa Schirripa led a session on the brand’s effort to create more inclusive designs for every body.

“One of the biggest shifts you’re seeing from Nike is we’re embracing an expanded meaning of athletes,” said Flynn, vice president of women’s apparel design. “Nike’s playing field has widened and [is] leading to a surge of meaningful women’s innovation – from maternity to modesty to new bra and leggings for all body shapes and sizes.”

05of 11Unveiling Nike’s New and Simpler Bra CollectionNikeFlynn went on to demonstrate the brand’s new offerings that were shown on three different models. She explained that Nike’s current bra strategy is focused on letting the athlete choose what style she likes first and then the support she needs — now with more than 70 cup sizes to choose from.

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Unveiling Nike’s New and Simpler Bra Collection

Inside Nike’s Future 50 for Her Event in Los Angeles

Flynn went on to demonstrate the brand’s new offerings that were shown on three different models. She explained that Nike’s current bra strategy is focused on letting the athlete choose what style she likes first and then the support she needs — now with more than 70 cup sizes to choose from.

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Future Fitness Workout with Tara Nichols

Inside Nike’s Future 50 for Her Event in Los Angeles

07of 11Dance Workout with Dexter CarrNikeShortly after, Nike choreographerDexter Carrtaught a dance class to Megan Thee Stallion’s “Hot Girl Summer” to officially close out day two.

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Dance Workout with Dexter Carr

Inside Nike’s Future 50 for Her Event in Los Angeles

Shortly after, Nike choreographerDexter Carrtaught a dance class to Megan Thee Stallion’s “Hot Girl Summer” to officially close out day two.

08of 11Unveiling a New Nike Exhibition at The Grove L.A.NikeDay three began atThe Grovewhere Shannon Glass, vice president/GM of Nike North America, walked through new in-store exhibitions that showcased the history of the brand, athletes and shoes to inspire shoppers to be a part of the next generation of athletes.

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Unveiling a New Nike Exhibition at The Grove L.A.

Inside Nike’s Future 50 for Her Event in Los Angeles

Day three began atThe Grovewhere Shannon Glass, vice president/GM of Nike North America, walked through new in-store exhibitions that showcased the history of the brand, athletes and shoes to inspire shoppers to be a part of the next generation of athletes.

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Retail Partners Roundtable

Inside Nike’s Future 50 for Her Event in Los Angeles

10of 11Going Digital for Her with Lisa LeslieNikeBasketball Hall of Famer Lisa Leslie sat down with Nike executive Shannon Glass to chat about all new programming across the brand’s digital ecosystem, including a Hottie Bootcamp with Megan Thee Stallion and a 48-week program designed for women during and after pregnancy.The panel ended with the viewing of a special Spike Lee project to celebrate Nike’s 50th anniversary, which features “Zimmie,” who talks up the unlimited potential around the next 50 years of the brand. You can watch the “Seen It All” videohere.

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Going Digital for Her with Lisa Leslie

Inside Nike’s Future 50 for Her Event in Los Angeles

Basketball Hall of Famer Lisa Leslie sat down with Nike executive Shannon Glass to chat about all new programming across the brand’s digital ecosystem, including a Hottie Bootcamp with Megan Thee Stallion and a 48-week program designed for women during and after pregnancy.

The panel ended with the viewing of a special Spike Lee project to celebrate Nike’s 50th anniversary, which features “Zimmie,” who talks up the unlimited potential around the next 50 years of the brand. You can watch the “Seen It All” videohere.

11of 11Audio Guided Run in Santa MonicaNikeTo end the three-day experience, the group went on an audio-guided run through Santa Monica with the help of Nike’s Run Club app, which features a wide collection of guided runs that will help motivate you to reach your next running goal.

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Audio Guided Run in Santa Monica

Inside Nike’s Future 50 for Her Event in Los Angeles

To end the three-day experience, the group went on an audio-guided run through Santa Monica with the help of Nike’s Run Club app, which features a wide collection of guided runs that will help motivate you to reach your next running goal.

source: people.com