Beyond Sneakers: Jarren Small
Images: courtesy of RWAR/Jarren Small
On any given day, you can hear us affectionately repeating a special CNK guiding principle that’s rooted in purposeful connections. “Sneakers brings you to us, but COMMUNITY is why you stay”. Through our years of building community with a variety of trailblazers, we have determined a unique theme. Many of the greatest journeys we have witnessed through sneakers focuses on a pillar of service - which is also a CNK core value. Aside from sneakers being a universal language tethered to creative expression, they are forming bridges to accessibility and resources outside of just the shoe industry.
We are tapping in with leaders, in their respective fields, that have changed our view of sneaker culture. They have inspired, empowered, and educated us on the power of how an idea can create a ripple effect of impactful change. We are humbled to highlight another innovator and culture engineer leading the Reading with a Rapper initiative. Jarren Small has been building RWAR with his cofounder and team for years. The program serves as a vehicle to ‘relate ELA academics with socially conscious lyrics, content, and tech’. They have not only expanded to cities outside of Houston, but pulled in local heavy hitters to invest in and amplify this special project. Check out how Jarren is going ‘Beyond Sneakers’ in his own words below.
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS… CREATE COMMUNITY.
When it comes to the type of kids that we impact, I was that kid growing up. I was that kid that struggled with passing the state standardized test. I was that kid that was banking on sports to get me through my college years and didn't necessarily have a backup plan. I was that kid that didn’t know how to access resources that would be in my best interest. That’s why we and my partner created our 501c3, Legends Do Live, in order to fund and equip disadvantaged youth with resources in order to further their education and careers.
BUILDING EQUITY FOR PEOPLE OF COLOR IS FOUNDATIONAL.
We are creating equity for people of color by assisting the communities in which they reside or that impact them the most. We are holistically building programming and opportunities that help grow schools which are the pinnacle of all communities. Neighborhoods and communities are only as strong as the schools within them. One of our goals is to strengthen the school’s educational values so that students have the opportunities and resources they need to excel.
How does the mission of your brand/business tie into your core values?
Our core values include creating a better future for our students and communities so that goes hand in hand with our mission.
FOR THAT AMAZING KID ON THE COME UP…
The time is NOW. That idea that you have - start working on implementation NOW. That career you want - start to learn and engage in that field and that industry NOW. Self-education is the best way to get a head start on the things you want to do.
What does “Beyond Sneakers” mean to you?
Sneakers are more than an industry, but also a culture and a community itself. To me, “Beyond Sneakers” means creating cultivation, opportunities, resources and education within the community. We can be fly, but we can also do more with our flyness.
We are huge fans of what Jarren and team are doing behind the scenes to show up and out on the battlefield of low literacy. To combat this community issue, they continue to create an engaging experience for youth, local creatives, and many more.
What hometown heroes do you know that have tackled literacy through a full throttle Final Four tour and campaigns like ‘Turn TX Yellow’?! Check out all that Reading with a Rapper is up to on Instagram and learn more details or support through making donations on the RWAR website. Stay tuned because this is only the beginning.