April 29, 2021
Vans X Get Lit Words Ignite
Get Lit – Words Ignite fuses classic and spoken word poetry to increase teen literacy on the page and in visual media. They cultivate enthusiastic learners emboldened to inspire social consciousness in diverse communities. Get Lit’s poetry and film curriculum engages young people by providing a creative outlet, community, and real-life work experience, transforming students into activists, scholars, and stars.
ASIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH
We Will Be Louder
WE WILL BE LOUDER!
To commemorate Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Vans is once again partnering with Get Lit- Words Ignite, a local non-profit whose mission is to increase literacy, empower youth, and inspire communities through poetry. This month we are uplifting the voices of four young Asian American poets, Jelina Hendrickson, Afrah Alam, Della Dragon, and Gordon Ip.
Additionally, Vans remains committed to supporting our local communities, and will also be donating $25,000 to the Asian Mental Health Collective, a non-profit organization with a mission to normalize and de-stigmatize mental health within the Asian community.
CLASSIC SLAM 2021
VANS x GET LIT Presents "Bloom" | The 2021 Classic Slam Anthem
Get Lit is getting ready for the 10th Annual Classic Slam -- a celebration of youthful spirit that showcases young storytellers from schools all over Southern California and beyond. Young poets will perform classic iconic poems and original spoken word response pieces for a panel of judges that includes world-renowned authors, poets, artists, and cultural luminaries.
Checkerboard Day 2020
For 2020, Vans Checkerboard Day’s mission was to champion the power of creativity as an outlet for mental health. We also helped amplify the mission of Get Lit- Words Ignite and 9 other charity partners worldwide whose shared purpose is to use programs focused on creativity as resources for coping with the stressors that impact mental health and well-being. Vans and fans across the world helped raise over $1 million USD so each organization can expand their services and resources to help the growing number of mental health concerns through creative outlets such as art, music and action sports.