(PRESS RELEASE) ALEXANDRIA, VA – The Open Your Eyes Frame Vendue, presented by The Vision Council and featuring frames with special significance designed by leading independent designers to support the Equal Justice Initiative and My Brother’s Keeper Alliance, is accepting bids until Friday, June 26 at 11:59 p.m. EDT. Frames of special significance include frames that are one-of-a-kind and never released; high demand but discontinued; or part of a moment in eyewear history. All proceeds will be donated to the Equal Justice Initiative and My Brother’s Keeper Alliance.
To make a bid, visit the newly launched website at 32auctions.com/OpenYourEyes.
The bidding kicked off last Friday, June 19 during a virtual happy hour hosted by Tarrence Lackran, Director of Partnerships and Programming for The Vision Council, and the participating eyewear designers. The kickoff date of June 19 was chosen to honor the celebrations of Juneteenth, a long-recognized day that commemorates the abolition of slavery in the U.S.
Participating companies include: AHLEM, Anna-Karin Karlsson, Barton Perreira, Blake Kuwahara, Cazal, Christian Roth, Jacques Marie Mage, l.a.Eyeworks, Morgenthal Frederics & Robert Marc NYC, Nico Roseillier, Rigards, Selima Optique, and Thierry Lasry.
“The kickoff happy hour was a magical night,” said Tarrence Lackran, Director of Partnerships and Programming at The Vision Council. “It was great hearing the stories from the designers themselves about why the frame they donated was of special significance and why they were willing to part with it for these causes. Any of the winning bidders on these frames will receive a piece of eyewear history that they can be proud of.”
The Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) is a nonprofit organization that provides legal representation to people who have been illegally convicted, unfairly sentenced, or abused in state jails and prisons. EJI also produces research and recommendations to assist advocates and policymakers in the critically important work of criminal justice reform.
My Brother’s Keeper Alliance (MBK) leads a cross-sector national call to action focused on building safe and supportive communities for boys and young men of color where they feel valued and have clear pathways to opportunity. The MBK Alliance was established to address the persistent opportunity gaps and social inequalities that are rooted in structural and institutional racism.
Questions can be directed to Tarrence Lackran at tlackran@thevisioncouncil.org.