ABOVE PHOTO: The McLeods with Game Changer Award honorees Malcolm Jenkins, Melanie Jackson and David E. Thomas. (Photos by K-Len Anderson)
By Kharisma McIlwaine
On June 22, fashion met philanthropy as Change Our Future held its 3rd Annual Sneaker Ball at Vie by Cescaphe. Change Our Future, founded by Super Bowl LII champion Rodney McLeod and his wife Erika McLeod, is a youth-empowering non-profit organization that seeks to uplift and support underserved youth in Philadelphia and its surrounding areas.
Change Our Future lends its support to the youth and community through a series of programs and fundraising events.
The 3rd annual Sneaker Ball hosted by the McLeods and presented by Wingstop Charities was a star-studded, black-tie gala where the attendees paired luxury, fashion with their best sneakers.
The fundraiser featured a live and silent auction, award ceremony, fashion show, interactive activations, and a wide array of gourmet hors d’oeuvres from local food vendors.
In partnership with Philadelphia Style Magazine, the event also featured a unique pop-up sneaker museum filled with classic and rare sneakers that thrilled every sneakerhead in attendance. And, in true artistic fashion, the Sneaker Ball featured a display wall of sneakers and school supplies that guests were asked to donate.
All the proceeds go to support Change Our Future’s 2024 programs and initiatives that directly impact Philadelphia youth, their families and the greater Philadelphia community.
The McLeods expressed their excitement for the growth of the Sneaker Ball and Change Our Future.
“This year for Sneaker Ball feels incredible,” Erika said. “It’s something I feel like we’ve been looking forward to for the entire year. It’s our biggest fundraising gala and it’s amazing to see the outpouring of love and support that we’re getting from the Philadelphia community, and the people that are feeling the “fomo” if they’re not here. Everyone gets really excited about what sneakers they’re wearing, who is going to be in the building, and who else they’re going to meet. We’re looking forward to some of our new programs that we’re launching in addition to some of the programs that have now started and are doing so well.”
Although Rodney McLeod is no longer a Philadelphia Eagle, he and Erika remain dedicated to their continued support of the youth of Philadelphia.
“We consider Philly home for us and when you consider something your home you protect it,” Rodney said.”You do everything in your power to ensure they’re in safe havens, and I think that’s what we’re doing with Change Our Future. It’s all about our youth and putting these kids first. We understand the great need and the calling. Our youth are challenging us as adults to do more. We’re looking to be a support, a resource, creating exposure, access and all of the above to be able to help them with everything they have in life and allow them to be the best versions of themselves.”
This year Change Our Future honored Rodney McLeod’s former teammate Malcolm Jenkins, Dr. David E. Thomas, State Senator Vincent Hughes and his wife, Emmy Award-winning actress Sheryl Lee Ralph, and Dr. Melanie Jackson with the Game Changer Award.
Jenkins shared his pride in being an awardee and in the work that the McLeods continue to do in the community with Change Our Future.
“It feels good, but to be honest, I’m just proud to be able to be somebody who I felt like was an older example for Rodney,” Jenkins said. “When you plant seeds and can turn around and see the fruit coming from that it’s amazing.”
“For me to look at Rodney — I’m just super proud of what he’s doing, knowing I had a little bit of influence,” Jenkins added with a laugh. “Change Our Future and Rodney do a lot of great work. Rodney is obviously a close friend of mine. I’ve seen him watch a bunch of people in the community and then begin to become his own kind of role model. I’m just proud to come and support. It’s a fun night, and it’s my first time at the Sneaker Ball, so I’m excited.”
The McLeods received additional support from several of Rodney’s former teammates; Jordan Mailata and Jason Kelce echoed similar sentiments to Jenkins.
“Not only is it a great foundation, but the people that run it are amazing too! We’re (Mailata‘s fiancé Niki Ikahihifo) really close to the McLeods and honored to call them close friends,” Mailata said.
“We’re just happy to be here, to be a part of the community. I’ve learned a lot from Rod as a mentor and a teammate on and off the field. It’s an honor to be here to keep learning and connecting with the community and see who I meet.”
“First and foremost, he was a tremendous teammate during his time in Philadelphia with me,” Kelce said. “Erika was very involved not only with the team, but with the community as well, and I’ve just got a lot of faith in them as people. They’re very dedicated, they do great work and they’ve put a lot of time in and I’m excited to finally make it out here.”
Basketball legend and Philadelphia native Rasheed Wallace was also in attendance for the first time and expressed his joy in supporting the Change Our Future foundation.
“It’s an honor, it’s a pleasure and it’s definitely for a worthy cause,” Wallace said. This city definitely needs more events like this to help our children out, because that’s our future.”
The 3rd annual Sneaker Ball was a culmination of joy for a wonderful cause with the McLeods putting the best interest of the youth that are involved with Change Our Future front and center.
Several of the young people participated in a dynamite fashion show, followed by them sharing personal anecdotes about what Change Our Future means to them. The work that the McLeods continue to gift the Philadelphia community through Change Our Future is invaluable. To find out more about ways to support Change Our Future, visit: www.changeourfuture.org.
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