Amaar Zarrieff 
Allstate recently collaborated with the U.S. Soccer Federation, and nonprofit organizations Black Star and Intentional Sports, to unveil a new interactive mural on Chicago’s West Side. The 25-foot mural was designed by Chicago-based artist Dwight White II. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, U.S. women stars Naomi Girma, Crystal Dunn, and Lynn Williams served as the creative directors for the mural. “My goal is to leave a positive lasting impact on America’s youth and fully diversify the game for generations to come,” said Dunn.
Allstate reps mentioned that the mural was put in place to train up-and-coming youth soccer players and to further embellish the neighborhood. The mural provides access to youth who may not have the resources to pay for soccer training. The interactive mural gives aspiring players the ability to practice their shooting and passing abilities.
According to the director of properties and partnerships with Black Star, Patrick Rose, “[Black Star] is dedicated to finding creative ways to engage more Black youth around the game of soccer.” Soccer is a sport in which Black people have always been in the minority. According to a 2020 Forbes article, only 25.6% of Major League Soccer players are Black. Projects like this mural are allowing more talented Black kids to have the potential to make it into professional leagues. “The artwork is an opportunity for us to introduce more Black youth to soccer while also leveling up the skills of youth who are currently involved with our programming,” Rose added.
The mural is located at the headquarters of Intentional Sports, based in Chicago. Allstate has also contributed $25,000 to the Intentional Sports’ soccer recreational facility to expand soccer training operations.
By Amaar Zarrieff, Freshman, Howard University
Instagram: amaar.fz / X: @Amaar_FZ
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