Silk® Soymilk and World Champion Plant-Powered Athlete Carl Lewis Pass the Torch to Support HBCU Athletes Through New "Silk Team Protein" Initiative

BROOMFIELD, Colo., June 22, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- While summer is in full swing, college athletes who practice year-round are already looking toward the season ahead – and many rely on key equipment, uniforms, and transportation to keep them performing at their best. These activities require funding, and while universities such as Big Ten schools can average over $50 million in revenue per school, historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and their attendees do not typically receive the same level of funding, including for their sports programs.¹

Silk, America's No. 1 plant-based beverage brand,² and gold medal-winning athlete Carl Lewis, the newest face of the Silk Soymilk portfolio, want to support HBCU athletes and help close this funding discrepancy through the new Silk Team Protein initiative. For over 25 years, track and field Hall of Famer Carl Lewis has been using Silk Soymilk as his go-to complete plant-based protein beverage. Aimed at inspiring the next generation of plant-powered athletes, the program champions HBCU track and field teams to promote top talent, on and off the field.

As part of the brand's ongoing commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, Silk Soymilk will provide five HBCU track and field programs with $10,000 donations (a total of $50,000) to go toward team necessities like uniforms, equipment and transportation. The five HBCU recipients will also receive plenty of Silk Soymilk – a high-quality, complete source of plant-based protein – for their upcoming track and field season, along with a live Q&A session with Carl Lewis.

"As a longtime advocate of plant-based diets, I know first-hand the benefits it can yield for an athlete, which is why I am proud to be a partner on this Silk Team Protein initiative to show college athletes how plant-based products like Silk Soymilk can help support their athletic goals," said Carl Lewis. "Through this partnership, I hope to encourage the next generation of athletes, especially within the HBCU & Black community, to join the growing number of African Americans moving toward a plant-based diet."

Run, don't walk, to nominate an HBCU today! If you are a student, alumni, professor or just a fan of an HBCU with a track and field program, submit a nomination between now and July 22, 2021 at SilkTeamProtein.com for a chance for your HBCU school to receive one of five $10,000 donations.

"Silk is excited to partner with Carl Lewis, a proud plant-based pioneer, to support HBCU track and field teams and their incredible talent," said Terrance Irizarry, Chief Diversity Officer at Danone North America, parent company for Silk. "We're committed to celebrating and championing a diverse and inclusive world, and through this HBCU initiative we hope to give more opportunities to a community that deserves equal funding."

As the newest face of the Silk Soymilk portfolio, Carl will be featured on Original and Unsweet cartons of Silk Soymilk, available nationwide now at a suggested retail price of $3.99 per half-gallon carton.

Silk Soymilk is a high-quality, complete source of plant-based protein with great taste, and is the No. 1 brand of soymilk recommended by nutritionists.³ As the original nutrition powerhouse, Silk Soymilk is one of the only plant-based milk alternatives that's nutritionally comparable to dairy milk, with up to 9 grams of complete protein per serving. It is also a good source of calcium and vitamin D, with 50% more calcium per serving than dairy milk.⁴

More about Silk^® Soymilk
Silk pioneered the plant-based revolution by bringing soymilk to the masses nearly 25 years ago, leading the way for the fast-growing plant-based beverage category people know today. Whether you have food sensitivities, such as lactose intolerance or nut allergies, or are simply looking to make small steps of progress toward your health and wellness goals, Silk Soymilk can play a positive role in your day.

To find out where Silk Soymilk is available near you and get information on the Silk Team Protein initiative, visit SilkTeamProtein.com and follow @Silk on Twitter and Instagram.

This Silk Team Protein Initiative ("Promotion") is sponsored by Danone, US, LLC, 12002 Airport Way, Broomfield, CO 80021 and administered by ICF Next, Inc., 420 N 5th St. Fl. 10, Minneapolis, MN 55401 and Marketing Resources, Inc., 1144 Lake St. Suite 301, Oak Park, IL 60301 ("Administrators"). The Promotion entry period begins at 12:01 AM ET on 6/22/21 and ends at 11:59:59 PM ET on 7/22/21. Five (5) Contest Winners will each receive a $10,000 donation, 100 Silk Beverage coupons ($599), and 1 Q&A session with Carl Lewis. Must be at least 18 years of age and a legal resident of the 50 United States (including DC). Employees of the Sponsor, Administrators, any of their subsidiaries or affiliate companies, or their advertising, marketing or promotional agencies and their family members are not eligible to participate. Any local state, provincial, or other government agency, their officials, or employees are not eligible to participate. A purchase of any kind will not improve one's chance of winning. This Promotion is not sponsored or endorsed by, or associated with, Instagram, Facebook or Twitter. Click Here for Official Rules, including how to nominate, prize details and restrictions.

About Silk^®
Silk was founded on a promise to make the world a healthier place. As a steward of the environment, we believe that plant-based foods are the best way to nourish people and the planet. Today we offer a broad portfolio of great-tasting plant-based options, including soymilk, almondmilk, cashewmilk, coconutmilk, oatmilk, dairy-free coffee creamers, and dairy-free yogurt alternatives. Silk's entire plant-based portfolio is verified by the Non-GMO Project, and we also offer Silk almondmilk and Silk soymilk in organic options. Connect with Silk online at Silk.com and @Silk. Since 2009, Silk has been committed to water conservation and restoration. Because we believe that nature shouldn't go thirsty, and neither should you. For more information, visit https://silk.com/about-us/sustainability/

About Danone North America
Danone North America is a purpose-driven company and an industry leader in the food and beverage category. As a Certified B Corporation®, Danone North America is committed to the creation of both economic and social value, while nurturing natural ecosystems through sustainable agriculture. Our strong portfolio of brands includes: Activia®, DanActive^®, Danimals^®, Dannon^®, evian®, Happy Family® Organics, Honest to Goodness^™, Horizon^® Organic, International Delight^®, Light + Fit^®, Oikos^®, Silk^®, So Delicious^® Dairy Free, STōK^™, Two Good^®, Vega^®, Wallaby^® Organic and YoCrunch^®. With more than 6,000 employees and 14 production locations across the U.S. and Canada, Danone North America's mission is to bring health through food to as many people as possible. For more information, visit www.danonenorthamerica.com. For more information on Danone North America's B Corp™ status, visit: https://bcorporation.net/directory/danone-north-america.

¹HBCUs vs PWIs: Why Division I historically black athletic programs struggle against predominantly white institutions - Journey Magazine (jmagonline.com), [Jan. 2019] 
²Leading brand based on national sales data 
³Based on a nationwide survey of 250 registered dietitians, [Jan. 2020]
⁴50% more calcium and 75% fewer calories than reduced-fat dairy milk. 0g saturated fat and 0g sugar per serving.

SOURCE Silk