STATE Bags partners with White House and Roc Nation to donate 30,000 backpacks

STATE Bags, a buy-one-give-one, Brooklyn-based accessory company, is donating 30,000 backpacks as part of The White House and the U.S. Department of Education's MBK Success Mentors Initiative. The initiative, part of a partnership with Roc Nation, began on June 8 and will be running through September 8. For every STATE bag purchased, one fully-loaded backpack will be donated to children in the My Brothers Keeper (MBK) program across thirty cities nationwide.

As part of the My Brother's Keeper Success Mentor Initiative, communities are gathering at The White House to prepare "ground troops" to mentor students for success. Kevin Durant, the small forward for the Oklahoma City Thunder, and State Bags' co-founder Scot Tatelman are going to be speaking about the importance of mentorship to drive school and life success.

The road to STATE Bags getting involved with My Brothers Keeper has been in the works for a while. Tatelman had been in talks with the U.S. Department of Education to do something since last year to give more backpacks to kids. When the opportunity to partner with My Brothers Keeper presented itself, it was a very easy decision and done deal.

STATE Bags had been on The White House's radar for a while, as they were also involved with Michelle Obama's Let Girls Learn Initiative.

STATE bags traveling to 30 states nationwide to donate 30,000 backpacks

Scott, along with his wife Jacq Tatelman, had been hoping to expand their #GiveBackPack program to more cities around the country, as they've mostly been focused in New York, and their goal is to eventually give every student in need across America a backpack. This partnership with MBK will take them to 30 cities that they've never been to before. The most important thing to the husband and wife duo is to see that kids have the necessary supplies to go to school.

"There is something to be said about readiness, and the actual act of being prepared," Scott says. "I think what we hear from a lot of educators that something as simple as the tools to go to school can make such a huge difference. Also, what type of tools. We started this company because we saw students carrying their stuff in Duane Reade bags and trash bags, and that’s demoralizing for kids. For us to be able to prepare them with products that are well made and good looking, or fill their bags with school supplies, socks, or healthy snacks is great. There is something intangible that when a child starts the school year off with the proper tools for success, that can certainly help them going to the next level."

"For kids whose parents can’t afford to get them those essential tools, they feel insecure the second they walk through the door. These little things do plant that seed. They have a small element to them," Jacq added.

Each city that STATE Bags will be visiting will have about five to six bag drops. Roc Nation, who STATE Bags is also collaborating with on the initiative, will be bringing high level athletes and talent to the events to help create a positive, memorable experience for the kids. A lot of these celebrities, like Durant, grew up in under privileged communities, so, for them, they are reconnecting to communities they grew up in.

STATE was created by husband and wife team, Scot & Jacqueline Tatelman to address the immediate needs of American children living with challenging, and in some cases critical circumstances. The brand amplifies the buy one give one model with its innovative #GiveBackPack program, a groundbreaking, inspirational initiative that has invigorated students in at-risk neighborhoods nationwide.

photo courtesy of Domain Integrated PR