Under the warm September sun at Liberty National Golf Course in Jersey City, NJ, the felt like a historic moment in the making. With sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline, Black athletes, celebrities, and business leaders gathered on the pristine fairways not just to play, but to redefine what golf can look like. The Invitational, presented by , was more than just a sporting event—it was a statement on inclusivity, luxury, and the power of representation.
Stars like Anthony Anderson, Terrence J, Angie Martinez, CC Sabathia, and Victor Cruz came out to support, adding their voices to the growing chorus that golf is truly “Everyone’s Game.” Erica J. Bolden, Head of Diversity and Inclusion for Mercedes-Benz USA, has been a driving force behind this , a brand founded by Olajuwon Ajanaku and Earl Cooper.
Both former collegiate athletes, Ajanaku and Cooper launched Eastside Golf with a mission to make the sport more accessible to communities of color. Their iconic logo—a Black man mid-swing in jeans and a sweatshirt—quickly became a symbol of cultural fusion, blending streetwear with a sport that has long been the domain of the elite. “When we first connected with Eastside, we knew it was about more than just sponsoring an event,” Bolden said.
“We wanted to help them create real, lasting change, and golf was a powerful way to do that. This partnership is about much more than branding—it’s about reshaping the way people view this sport and who has a place in .