At FEATURE, we believe in connecting with our community in meaningful ways. Partnering with Converse and the Boys & Girls Club of Las Vegas during Hispanic Heritage Month gave us the chance to do just that. This event was more than just an opportunity to give back—it was about celebrating the cultural roots that shape the kids who come through the James Clubhouse. In line with our All Things Good ethos, this collaboration was a reflection of our commitment to uplifting local culture, fostering creativity, and honoring the unique stories that make each community special. Lisa Yee Clubhouse Director, who leads the clubhouse, played a key role in bringing this vision to life, ensuring the celebration was as vibrant as the community itself. With FEATURE providing new hats and Converse providing new shoes for the kids, the event symbolized more than just a gift; it became a moment of pride and confidence for the youth, helping them step into their classrooms and the world with high self-esteem.

The day was packed with activities, creating a space where everyone could engage and celebrate together. Entertainment was provided by DJ Groove Fusion and the Corridos band Nuevo Encuentro, setting the perfect tone for the celebration. Kids participated in basketball drills, adding some healthy competition and fun, while local artist Jimmy Gutierrez led a customization station, allowing the kids to personalize their new Converse shoes and FEATURE X New Era NBA 9FIFTY snapback. To keep the energy going, food was served by local favorites, Taco Bout It Food Truck and Empanada Factory, bringing authentic flavors to the table, perfectly complementing the event’s celebration of heritage.

We sat down with Lisa to talk about how this partnership impacts the youth, the connection to their roots, and how events like this offer more than just fun—they inspire pride, cultural appreciation, and empowerment.

FEATURE  

What was the inspiration behind organizing this event with FEATURE and Converse during Hispanic Heritage Month, and how do you hope it impacts the kids at the Boys & Girls Club?

Lisa Yee

Well, the inspiration came from wanting to give the youth an opportunity to celebrate their heritage. Here at my clubhouse, specifically, we have a large percentage of our families that are Hispanic, so it's really nice to be able to give them a piece of their culture and celebrate what they bring to our club in diversity. With Converse bringing in shoes for everybody, the kids were very excited about that, even though back to school just happened. Not everybody got to have a brand new pair of shoes. So for them to walk away with something new that they can really feel proud about, and have high self-esteem about when they're walking into their classrooms or coming to the club. It's really nice to be able to see that that's just one small way we can impact them.

FEATURE  

Can you tell us about the demographic of the kids who frequent the Boys & Girls Club, and how events like this with FEATURE resonate with them culturally and socially?

Lisa Yee  

So at the Boys and Girls Clubs, we have a lot of single-family households. A majority of our kids come from people of color. We serve a lot of minorities here at the James clubhouse, we do serve a lot of Hispanic families as well. Events like this that we're doing with FEATURE really resonate with them because it allows them to see the people who come into work the events are people who are similar to them, come from backgrounds similar to them, and might have also gone to programs just like ours. It's a way for them to connect what they're doing here doesn't necessarily mean anything other than they're getting an opportunity to see how they can help in the future and give back.

FEATURE  

How does partnering with brands like Converse help the Boys and Girls Club reinforce the importance of cultural celebrations such as Hispanic Heritage Month in the programs that you offer?

Lisa Yee

I think when really big-name brands such as Converse reach out to places like the Boys and Girls Club and any other underserved communities, it really gives the kids a chance to see that the things that they want that might not seem as attainable right now are really within reach and that there are people who care about whether or not they're incorporated into their brand.

FEATURE  

How does this event showcase the partnership between FEATURE and the Boys and Girls Club, particularly in supporting and uplifting the local youth?

Lisa Yee  

So this is the second event that I've been able to be a part of with FEATURE this year, and the partnership that we've developed is really important to us. It shows that it's not just to check off a box. It's not just to find something to market. It's showing us that FEATURE cares about what we do here at the club. Everybody I've met who works for FEATURE has been phenomenal, and you can tell that they enjoy being around the kids, and I'm anticipating a long-lived partnership.

FEATURE  

What message do you hope the kids in the wider community take away from this event in relation to celebrating heritage and youth empowerment?

Lisa Yee

I hope that they walk away knowing that their culture and background are something to be very proud of. We can celebrate it at any time, it doesn't have to be necessarily during a specific month. It doesn't have to be a day. It should be something that you walk around with, like a pair of shoes every day, and you can strut around and be proud of.

Through this event, the partnership between FEATURE, Converse, and the Boys & Girls Club reinforced the importance of cultural celebration and youth empowerment. Lisa’s passion for uplifting the kids in her community and providing them with opportunities to embrace their heritage shines through in every moment. Together, we hope this collaboration inspires the youth to take pride in their backgrounds, carry that pride with them every day, and realize that their dreams are always within reach. We look forward to continuing this journey with the Boys & Girls Club, supporting the next generation with meaningful and lasting connections.