CHICAGO (WGN) — While the Bears are set to host the Seattle Seahawks Thursday for their final home game of the season, Soldier Field will also play host to the NFL’s Inspire Change initiative.
Inspire Change is the NFL’s social justice initiative that showcases how NFL players, clubs and the League are joining together to ensure that access to opportunity is a reality for all.
According to a press release from the Bears, the NFL’s Inspire Change program focuses on four key social justice principles: education, economic advancement, police-community relations and criminal justice reform.
The initiatives work to increase opportunities, particularly in communities of color, and to showcase how teams work together to create positive change. The NFL Inspire Change program awards grants to community organizations in these areas, and through seven years, the program has contributed more than $375 million to these causes.
At Sunday’s game, various in-stadium activations will help celebrate important programs, organizations and people that work to make a difference in the Chicagoland community.
During warmups, players, coaches and sideline personnel will wear “Inspire Change” branded gear that reads “Equity, Justice, Freedom, Opportunity” to raise awareness for the initiative.
Players will also have special “Inspire Change” stickers for their helmets and towels for the game.
The special edition Bears merchandise will be available for purchase at the Bears Pro Shop and online. with proceeds from the sales helping fund the leagues’ grants for under-resourced communities.
In addition, Soldier Field will feature special Inspire Change messaging, including “Choose Love” and “It Takes All of Us” painted in the back of the endzones. Goalpost wraps, banners and sideline branding will include the Inspire Change theme as well.
The lead up to the Inspire Change game included days of surprises, grant giving and community engagement.
On Dec. 12, the Chicago Bears announced Dr. Janice K. Jackson as the team’s 2024 NFL Inspire Change Changemaker Award recipient. The Inspire Change Changemaker Award recognizes an individual in each NFL team market making a difference in their community through social justice work.
Dr. Jackson is the current CEO of Hope Chicago, a non-profit organization dedicated to reducing economic and social inequity by funding post-secondary scholarships for two generations of Chicago Public School families. Under her leadership, Hope Chicago has worked to transform families and communities by providing debt-free college and workforce training opportunities.
Hope Chicago will receive a $10,000 donation from the NFL Foundation and Dr. Jackson will serve as an honorary captain for the game, where she will be recognized with a special video presentation.
The Bears have continued to work closely with Hope Chicago in recent times. The franchise has hosted special opportunities for members of the non-profit. Hope Chicago students attended a practice visit earlier this month and each week throughout this season, the team has hosted a Chicagoland non-profit at Halas Hall to watch practice and meet with the team as part of the Bears’ Social Justice Practice Visit series.
Morgan Park High School’s band will perform on-field at halftime as a part of the Inspire Change programming Thursday. MPHS, located on the far South Side of Chicago, was one of five schools in Hope Chicago’s first high school cohort.
For more information about the Inspire Change game or NFL initiative, visit the Bear’s or NFL’s websites online at www.chicagobears.com or https://www.nfl.com/causes/inspire-change/.