StockX, the world’s first online consumer “Stock Market of Things” for high-demand, limited edition products today announced it will be hosting an online charity sneaker auction for the “Walk In Our Shoes” campaign. Funds raised will benefit National Foster Care Month (May) and singer, songwriter, and actor NE-YO’s The Compound Foundation.
With an initial focus on the $1 billion U.S. sneaker resale market, StockX’s live marketplace will empower participants to anonymously buy and sell limited-edition sneakers with stock market – like visibility. The Motor City startup will provide the platform to bid on sneakers from NE-YO’s personal collection.
“StockX’s rapid growth is proving just how influential sneakers are in the world, and we are fortunate to have the opportunity to harness that power to benefit such a great cause,” said StockX CEO Josh Luber. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with NE-YO for such a great campaign.”
Starting today at 10:00am EST, through 11:59am EST Friday May 20, StockX users will be able to bid on more than 20 sneakers owned by NE-YO.Funds from the campaign will support the Compound Foundation’s Music Academy Boot Camp and annual Giving Tour. The Music Academy Boot Camp has industry leaders work with students to teach and explore various career options within the field of music entertainment. At the end of the weekend, participants have the chance to compete for a $5,000 scholarship. The annual Giving Tour in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of America brings holiday cheer / distributes gifts to 2,000 children ages 3 – 18 living in foster care, group homes and members of BGC. Each year the Tour visits multiple cities selected based on the size of the foster care population.
The Compound Foundation is a national organization founded in 2007 by Shaffer “NE-YO” Smith and his business partner Reynell Hay to enhance the wellbeing of youth growing up in foster care and group homes. The Foundation’s goal is to support bright futures for young people by helping them to forge healthy relationships, pursue education and training, learn entrepreneurship basics and realize their dreams.
“Advocating for children, most of whom who have faced challenging circumstances, is my passion and mission for the Compound Foundation. I am proud to be a part of the “Walk In Our Shoes” campaign that provides a fantastic opportunity to use my sneakers as a force for good,” said NE-YO.
About StockX
StockX is the world’s first online consumer “Stock Market of Things” for high-demand, limited edition products. Participants buy and sell in a live marketplace where they anonymously trade with stock market – like visibility. The StockX exchange offers buyers and sellers historical price and volume metrics, real-time bids and offers (asks), time-stamped trades, individualized portfolio tracking and metrics, as well as in-depth market analysis and news. StockX launched its inaugural marketplace in the secondary sneaker space with plans to expand to additional consumer product segments that have a natural need for a live secondary market.
About NE-YO
GRAMMY Award-winning singer, composer, producer, and actor NE-YO (born Shaffer C. Smith) is a talent sought by many artists. Not only does NE-YO have three #1 albums, millions of albums sold worldwide and three GRAMMY Awards of his own, he has also written and produced chart-topping hits for today’s biggest stars. His latest album, Non–Fiction was released in January of 2015. The album made NE-YO the second male R&B artist to have six consecutive top 10 albums.
In addition to music, NE-YO’s solid career in film includes credits in George Lucas’s RED TAILS (2012), Stomp The Yard (2007), Battle: LA (2011), and Save the Last Dance (2006). Also, in 2007, he founded The Compound Foundation, a 501© 3 non-profit aimed at helping disadvantaged foster-care children learn life-skills.
