Article One and Professional Runner Nikki Hiltz Celebrate Pride Month with Donation Commitment to Stand with Trans

May 24, 2023

100% of profits from Article One’s best-selling frame will be donated to the Michigan-based advocacy organization

FLINT, Mich. (May 24, 2023)/OUTDOOR SPORTSWIRE/ – Independent eyewear brand Article One and Nikki Hiltz, the first openly trans non-binary professional runner to win a United States Track and Field Championship, today announced a Pride Month campaign to benefit Stand with Trans, a national organization whose mission is to empower transgender youth and their loved ones. 100% of profits from Article One’s best-selling frame and Nikki’s personal favorite piece, the Avalon, will be donated to the nonprofit organization as it continues to support an international community of families.

“With hundreds of anti-trans bills being introduced and passed across the US, the work Stand with Trans is doing is critically important for the LGBTQ+ community,” said Hiltz. “As a trans non-binary professional athlete I’ve been lucky and privileged to have an incredible support system – an experience I hope for every trans person. Through ally parents and fighting anti-trans legislation, I’ve always believed we all have a role to play in making the world a better and safer place for all people.”

“Our hope with this campaign is that advocates and organizations fighting for the rights of the LGBTQ community feel emboldened to continue persevering,” said Article One Founder Wes Stoody. “Beyond supporting in a financial capacity, we want to recognize the changemakers who are providing life-saving resources, inspiring hope and affecting meaningful change in the legislative landscape. From Nikki’s courage on and off the track to Stand with Trans’ tireless, compassionate efforts, our goal is to continually elevate and empower these champions through our platform, channels and audiences.”

Hiltz, the founder of the annual Pride 5K event that benefits The Trevor Project, has been serving in a critical advisory role for Article One with the ultimate goal of expanding awareness and driving fundraising focused on aiding young members of the LBGTQ community. Given decision-making power to dictate which organization the eyewear brand would bolster during Pride Month, they chose Stand with Trans after speaking with Stoody’s wife, Bernie Stoody, M.D., a pediatrician in Child and Adolescent Gender Services at the University of Michigan who has first-hand knowledge of the vital work of the Detroit-based organization.

“Stand with Trans is thrilled to partner with Article One Eyewear,” said Stand with Trans’ Executive Director Roz Gould Keith. “We love to show the folks we serve that there are companies and brands who are authentically affirming and who are proud to support the LGBTQ+ community. Social responsibility takes on many forms and this partnership demonstrates a willingness to step out and speak up.”

The donation commitment will begin on the first day of June and conclude on June 30, the entirety of Pride Month. Special packaging will accompany each pair of Avalon frames, including a Progress Pride Flag lens cleaner and a limited-edition Progress Pride Flag pin. All sales – both e-commerce and wholesale – of the Avalon (MSRP $199) will be gifted to Stand with Trans.

To shop the Avalon online, please visit articleoneeyewear.com/collections/active. To visit an optical shop that carries Article One’s Avalon frame, please visit articleoneeyewear.com/find-us.

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.

About Stand with Trans

Stand with Trans (SwT) is a Michigan-based national organization whose mission is to empower and support transgender youth and their loved ones. SwT was founded in 2015 by Roz Gould Keith, the mom of a transgender son. The organization provides peer support groups for parents and youth, a global, virtual Trans Empowerment Workshop each October and educational resources for youth, families and advocates. Learn more at https://standwithtrans.org/ or find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, or TikTok.