Sacramento Republic, Boards for Change team up for February benefit auction

Sacramento Republic FC announced this week they will continue their partnership with local project Boards for Change, to carry out a benefit auction during Black History Month, with the proceeds going to local organizations that work with Black youth in the Sacramento area.

20 works produced by local artists will be auctioned off in the latest initiative in the partnership, including custom designed shoes and custom cleats donated by Sacramento Republic players.

Boards for Change was started last summer by Lina Washington, Kimberly Prince, and Shannan O’Rourke, who took to commissioning art from boards used to cover businesses during protests for racial justice in Sacramento in an effort at greater community awareness and beautification.

Sac Republic displayed many of these works in the supporters section at Papa Murphy’s Stadium last year, with fans unable to attend games due to the coronavirus pandemic, and the first round of auctioned artwork led to the raising of more than $21,000. So far, 16 organizations have received $1,000 grants, with the promise of more grants to come from the ongoing initiative.

“We are thrilled to provide these grants to local organizations enriching the lives of young people in Sacramento. We launched Boards For Change with a $2,000 fundraising goal and thanks to our generous community we’ve exceeded that exponentially, raising more than $21,000 to be directly invested back into local programs,”said Boards For Change Co-founder Lina Washington in a statement. “None of this would be possible without the support of Sacramento Republic FC, local creatives, and business owners working together in the most trying times. Let’s keep going!”

“It has been an honor to play a role in the Boards for Change initiative benefiting nonprofits focused on serving the underserved right here in our community,” said Republic FC President and COO Ben Gumpert. “There couldn’t have been a more fitting way to use our stands last year than to fill them with these boards. The mission never stops — we will continue to find ways to partner and support the incredible work happening in our neighborhoods.”

The next auction will kick off on Feb. 1. Check Sac Republic’s website and social channels around then for more information on the newest initiative of this ongoing partnership.

What do you think? Leave a comment below.