Converse recently took over Atlanta, hosting several events focused on bringing the community together. The Converse tip-off began on Friday, April 30 at the Georgia Freight Room located near Underground Atlanta. The star-studded event hosted by Kenny Burns and Taiye Samuel included celebrities such as Melyssa Ford, JD, 112, and Jagged Edge there to show their support. Everyone in the building seemed to be wearing some form of Converse, whether old school or new school.
Converse has been around since the 1930s and the product line has seen significant changes over those 70 years, but the Chuck Taylor will forever be Converse’s claim to fame. To add to the Taylor legacy, Converse showcased their new basketball sneaker lineup, which is lightweight, affordable, and available in high and low tops.
In keeping with the shoe’s ties to basketball, the Freight Room was transformed into a basketball court with members of the participating teams practicing their moves while the media and guests mixed and mingled in the adjacent lounge. Converse sneakers were displayed on platforms set up around the venue. Ric Wilson, Converse basketball general manager, gave the media a tour of the facility as well as explained the various projects implemented to merge, music, culture and basketball. Band of Ballers, an event that showcased the talents of many basketball players across the country, was an example of one of the projects used to focus on increasing brand awareness while giving back to the community.
For Converse, the weekend’s events were an opportunity to highlight what the company is doing to better the community. Aside from sponsoring events for local communities and kids across the nation, the company also does its best to make owning a pair of Converse sneakers affordable. Karim Wazini, senior product line manager, introduced its newest debut, the Converse Drop Step, which is available in stores now. The shoe is very lightweight, at only 11 ounces. The Converse Drain It has moisture protection that prevents feet from sweating. The Converse 6 is the company’s performance basketball shoe. It weighs just 13 ounces and has patented cushion technology to provide needed support. Both the Drain it and the Converse 6, which will come out sometime in October, will retail for $75.00. –darryl yates
