Forward Madison FC unveiled a Black Lives Matter training top on Thursday, which the team says it will wear before every game during the 2020 season.
Local artist Mike Lroy designed the training top, with input from members of the Featherstone Flamingos – an inclusive group of Forward fans that celebrates Black culture, as well as Forward Madison players.
“BIPOC people are ready for change, and a lot of us shared our frustrations and hope through street art,” said Lroy in a press release. “By wearing jerseys that show solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, athletes are showing their fans that silence is violence and the time for change is now.”
The Flamingos will donate all proceeds from sales of the training top to YWCA Madison, an organization that is committed to eliminating racism and empowering women.
Featherstone Flamingos co-founder April Kigeya first suggested that Lroy design the training top. Kigeya also helped select YWCA Madison, which is Featherstone’s 2020 charity partner, as the organization that will receive proceeds from the shirt.
“I feel honored that the club asked Featherstone to be a part of this and not only trusted me to find the artist, but gave us 100% control over the design,” Kigeya said in a statement.
Forward Madison’s players and staff will wear the Black Lives Matter training top for the first time before their home opener this Friday, July 31 at 7 p.m. at Hart Park in Wauwatosa. The training top is available for purchase on the team’s web store.
