It Takes a Village // Nike and Black Arrow

PROJECT OVERVIEW

In collaboration with Nike, Black Arrow ventured across North America to offer a deeper look into the “village’s” of four unique stars of women’s soccer. These women’s stories serve as inspiration for people around the country and world weather on and off the field.

Our production of "IT TAKES A VILLAGE” was designed with the purpose of showing how the amazing success of these players in their career is a result of both their individual talent and work ethic, along with the unparalleled support systems that have been there since the very beginning.

The Black community knows the barriers in this sport all too well. From the pay-to-play model to the lack of Black coaches, this sport can be a lonely and often insurmountable journey. Whether it was their first coach, their bestfriend/teammate, their sister or mother, each of these players have a village of their own, that is there to celebrate their biggest wins and pick them up after their defeats. Chelsea and Canadian Women’s National Team star Kadeisha Buchanan along with NWSL and US Women’s National Team stars, Crystal Dunn, Sophia Smith and Naomi Girma are all stars of the world’s game and made that clear this year. No matter what they achieved, they knew they had family supporting them and they knew all they were playing for.

IT TAKES A VILLAGE (Series Trailer) [Ft. Crystal Dunn, Naomi Girma, Sophia Smith & Kadeisha Buchanan]

Kadeisha Buchanan: Canada Women's National Team & Chelsea F.C. Defender

When talking with Kadeisha's family and people close to her, they are consumed with emotion when they reflect and see how they have all come. Her mother immigrated to Canada as a teenager from Jamaica to create a better life for herself and her family. Despite the struggles of raising a big family, Kadeisha's mother, Mel, made the sacrifices to keep her daughter playing soccer and cites how she was helped along the way by the their "village in Brampton and people with Cyprian McFarlane, Kadeisha childhood coach. Now, being able to watch her on the global stage is truly special not just for her family but for the entire Jamaican community who have watched her grow and seen how her cultural influences helped fuel her to the top of the world’s game.

WATCH

Naomi Girma: USWNT & San Diego Wave Defender

As the first Ethiopian-American to ever represent the USWNT, Naomi Girma carries with her the voices of her community that inspired her and taught her values that have shaped her into the player and person she is today. Her village was always around her ready to support her however they could and that is still the case today. As a kid her first steps into soccer were through an organization started by her father named, Maleda Soccer Club, which was a place for young kids to play the beautiful game. Now having carved a path of her own, and starring for USWNT on the world stage and for San Diego Wave in the NWSL, she always pays homage to her Ethiopian heritage, remembering both where she came from the community she plays for.

WATCH

Nike x Black Arrow | Crystal Dunn: USWNT & Portland Thorns Defender

Mother. Leader. Baller. Crystal Dunn is an icon on and off the field and you should already know that. If you don't, here's a quick refresher. She is a 3 time NWSL Champion, an NWSL Player of the Year and Golden Boot winner. She won CONCACAF Women’s Player of the Year and in the 2019, she switched positions from forward to left back and was the USWNT’s best player in the tournament, leading the USWNT to victory on the world stage. After giving birth to her first son in May of 2022, Crystal was back on the field within a few weeks and came back to help lead the Thorns to the NWSL Championship. Off the field, from helping to launch the Black Women’s Player Collective to becoming a voice of change in her community, her influence is boundless. Crystal has become a household name and a defining presence in this era of women’s soccer and women’s sports. This was a side of Crystal that she had to grow into, and was helped into it partly due to the people closest to her, like her best friend, Meg Morris. The two have known each other since childhood, playing together at UNC Chapel Hill where they won an NCAA Championship in 2012 and have been a part of each other’s journeys every step of the way since. Meg has always been part Crystal’s “village”, the village that empowered her to embrace the intersectionality of her identities.

WATCH

Nike x Black Arrow | Sophia Smith: USWNT & Portland Thorns Forward (Ft. Charity Joyce Blackwell)

To close out our film series with Nike, it was imperative that Black Arrow tap in with our sista Charity Joyce Blackwell. Charity a native of the D.M.V., an iconic poet and avid (women’s) soccer fan seamlessly embodies all things poetry, soccer, and of course black culture, and created an original piece for y’all that pays homage to Portland Thorns and USWNT star Sophia Smith. Charity reminds us that It takes a village to make a dream a reality - whether it is the stars of the past who paved the way, or coaches and loved ones that surround us today. Sophia Smith's time is now and one game will not define. The greats of our time always come back bigger and better and Sophia will be no different. She knows that no matter what happens throughout her journey to push the game to new heights, the village will be behind her.

WATCH

Nike x Black Arrow | IT TAKES A VILLAGE (Master Cut)

In collaboration with Nike, Black Arrow ventured across North America to offer a deeper look into the “village’s” of four unique stars of women’s soccer. These women’s stories serve as inspiration for people around the country and world weather on and off the field. Our production of "IT TAKES A VILLAGE” was designed with the purpose of showing how the amazing success of these players in their career is a result of both their individual talent and work ethic, along with the unparalleled support systems that have been there since the very beginning. Whether it was their first coach, their bestfriend/teammate, their sister or mother, each of these players have a village of their own, that is there to celebrate their biggest wins and pick them up after their defeats. Chelsea and Canadian Women’s National Team star Kadeisha Buchanan along with NWSL and US Women’s National Team stars, Crystal Dunn, Sophia Smith and Naomi Girma are all stars of the world’s game and made that clear this year. No matter what they achieved, they knew they had family supporting them and they knew all they were playing for. In the Black culture, community is a powerful thing. That sense of home and belonging drives us forward, all while keeping us grounded in the moment and humble as we perfect our craft. Access to this sport is not equal for all, and being a success story is extra hard because of it. Truly, IT TAKES A VILLAGE.

WATCH