Black Players for Change (BPC)
Black Players for Change (BPC) is an independent organization consisting of over 170+ players, coaches and staff of MLS, working to bridge the racial equality gap that exists in society.
BPC is committed to tackling the racial injustices that have limited Black people from having an equitable stake in the game of soccer and society. Among the many goals the organization strives to advance the attention on human right inequalities from protest to programs, partnerships and policies that address systemic racism. For more information visit www.BlackPlayersForChange.org or follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
“We’re trying to influence institutions from the outside and from within in order for the next generation to have a little bit less to deal with as far as systemic racism. It’s a long process, but this one goes beyond a symbolic gesture, the pictures that we’ve seen from all the clubs, it's great to see the solidarity, but also what’s the next step? We didn’t want to just be caught up in a symbolic image, we wanted to be powerful in our intent.”
— Jeremy Ebobise
Since being announced on Juneteenth 2020, the organization has made a significant impact in the soccer community and beyond. Before kickoff of the opening match of the MLS is Back Tournament in July, BPC organized and led a peaceful demonstration for racial equality and human rights. During the moment of solidarity, Black players from across MLS wore custom-designed T-shirts sporting the phrases “Silence is Violence,” “Black and Proud” and “Black All The Time.”
Instead of giving the 2020 MLS WORKS Humanitarian of the Year award to a singular player, Major League Soccer announced today that Black Players for Change — an organization formed on Juneteenth of this year focused on racial equality — has earned the honor and a $5,000 dollar donation. It is the first time the award has been given to an organization as opposed to any one person.