LSU Phenom Sends Powerful Message to Congress
Angel Reese, the 2023 NCAA Women’s Basketball champion and Final Four Most Outstanding Player, has teamed up with Goldman Sachs’ One Million Black Women (OMBW) initiative in a powerful new advocacy campaign aimed at narrowing the racial wealth gap for Black women.
“The Ball is in Your Court, Congress”
In a national TV ad set to air during the Elite Eight and Final Four of the NCAA tournament, Reese appears alongside her mother, former college basketball player Angel Webb Reese.
The commercial celebrates the influence Reese’s mom had on her drive and confidence while highlighting the stark reality that only 17% of Black women believe their interests are well-represented by Washington policymakers.
“Let’s use our voices and close the opportunity gap,” Reese declares in the ad, capping it off with a direct message: “Congress, the ball is in your court.”
Using Her Platform to “Level the Playing Field”
While Reese has inked numerous lucrative name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals, this is her first advocacy-focused partnership.
The ad, written and produced by the Black women-owned company ColorCreative, aims to amplify the voices of Black women to policymakers on the economic challenges they face.
“I’m proud to see Angel using her platform to level the playing field for Black women and talking about these important issues,” said Angel Webb Reese. “My hope is that these statistics and the real-life experiences…will be a wake-up call for Congress.”
Tackling the Racial Wealth Gap
The OMBW campaign stems from a new national survey detailing the roadblocks impacting Black women’s pursuit of generational wealth.
According to an OMBW report, closing the earnings gap for Black women could raise U.S. annual GDP growth by $300-450 billion per year.
“I owe so much to my mom…It’s clear that from her generation to today, Black women are still facing challenges,” said Reese. “But I believe change is possible.”
Making an Impact On and Off the Court
Reese’s fearless advocacy complements her dominance on the basketball court.
The LSU star has made a global impact through her exceptional skills and authenticity, using her platform to inspire and empower women.
