Article One and Professional Runner Nikki Hiltz Team Up to Support LGBTQ Youth

March 21, 2023

The partnership redefines athlete ambassadorships, focusing on decision-making power and advocacy

FLINT, Mich. (March 21, 2023) /OUTDOOR SPORTSWIRE/ – Article One, the independent eyewear brand, today announced a partnership with professional middle-distance runner Nikki Hiltz. Hiltz, the first openly non-binary runner to win a US Track and Field championship title, and Article One have established a collaborative relationship intended to prioritize services supporting LGBTQ youth. The structure of the Article One partnership extends decision-making power to Hiltz with the ultimate goal of expanding awareness and driving fundraising for efforts focused on aiding young members of the LBGTQ community.

“Right now the state of LGBTQ rights is incredibly distressing, which is all the more reason why brave advocates like Nikki need support,” said Article One Founder Wes Stoody. “We welcome them not as an ambassador but as a valued teammate with influence in our design room and donation-based campaigns. We’re honored to join Nikki in their truth and pursuit to create a more inclusive, safer, and joyous world for youth who identify as LGTBQ.”

While Hiltz and Article One will determine their partnership’s details in the coming months, programming will undoubtedly center advocacy efforts. Hiltz, the founder of the annual Pride 5K event that benefits The Trevor Project, will serve in a critical advisory role dictating which initiatives the eyewear brand chooses to bolster. Additionally, they will weigh in on charitable activations, ranging from custom frames in Article One’s ACTIVE Collection, event sponsorship, and more.

“Historically, we’ve seen brand partnerships focus on what athletes can do for the brand and how they can merge into traditional sports marketing imagery, which creates a transactional relationship rather than a values-based one,” said Hiltz. “I’m grateful to partner with a team of individuals willing to buck that status quo, asking more about how it can advance inclusion and align with my advocacy efforts. It’s an added bonus that I’m a huge fan of Article One’s eyewear and aesthetic.”

Article One plans to expand its philanthropic partnership portfolio with more athlete-advocate collaborations, considering both amateur and professional individuals who are values-driven in their athletic pursuits.

To stay updated with Article One and Nikki’s collaboration, please visit articleoneeyewear.com/brand-partners.

Please direct media inquiries to New Local PR Founder and Director Anna Avery at anna@newlocalpr.com.

About Article One Products

Founded in 2016, Article One is an independent eyewear company based in Flint, Michigan. As champions of craftsmanship, Article One frames are handmade by independent creatives and artisans from all over the world. We produce purpose-driven products with complete brand transparency and a spotlight on the hands that craft our frames. We support independent optical, give back to our community, and thoughtful design. The care put into each frame results in quality you can feel. This is Article One.

About Nikki Hiltz

Nikki Hiltz is a trans non-binary professional track and field athlete. Last month they became the first openly non-binary athlete to win a US track and field national title. The middle-distance specialist is a seven-time NCAA All-American, World Championship finalist for Team USA and Pan American Games gold medal winner. Nikki is a vocal advocate for equal rights, particularly passionate about making the sport of running more inclusive and fundraising for services that support the young LGBTQ community. In 2020, they founded the Pride 5K race which supports The Trevor Project, a nonprofit organization providing 24/7 crisis counseling to LGBTQ youth. Hiltz’s annual event has raised over $112,000, and they are currently planning the fourth iteration of the event in 2023.