Shea Lynne Pease Closes the Fitness Inequality Gap with BOKS

@shealynnepease

I work for Reebok HQ on their social purpose team with their nonprofit, BOKS. BOKS is a free physical activity program for kids that has helped thousands stay active during COVID-19. I’m super proud because on top of working with BOKS, I was the top volunteer of 2020 in the entire Reebok organization thanks to my daily Beach cleanups and my volunteer work at a local animal shelter. I’m in grad school for nonprofit management and would love to encourage others to get involved in social purpose however possible!

I've been passionate about closing the fitness inequality gap since college, when I realized how crucial movement was to my mental and physical well-being. Many people face barriers to accessing fitness, whether they lack the financial means to join or gym, have to support their family with multiple jobs, or feel excluded from the fitness community. I was introduced to BOKS, an initiative of the Reebok Foundation, through a co-op program at my university. I learned that BOKS provides the resources and tools to empower communities to keep kids active and healthy, establishing a lifelong commitment to health and fitness, and have been working with BOKS ever since.

"I've been passionate about closing the fitness inequality gap since college, when I realized how crucial movement was to my mental and physical well-being."

Now, I manage all events, programs, and outreach in the Northeast region of the US. That means I get to distribute grants to underserved communities and see how the BOKS program makes kids feel confident, excited to wake up in the morning, and truly enjoy movement. I also organize community engagement events at local Boston Public Schools, where Reebok employees take over recess for a day and set up a fun obstacle course for the students. I've heard firsthand how students struggling in school or at home light up when thinking back on these events.

Anyone interested in learning more about BOKS can do so here: https://www.bokskids.org/ and I'll send along some photos!

BOKS Kids - Free Before & After School Exercise Programs

bokskids.org