TOMS Shoes Founder to Speak in Nashville

Vanderbilt Global Poverty Initiative is proud to announce that Blake Mycoskie, founder of TOMS Shoes, will speak at Vanderbilt University on February 23rd at 7:00PM.

Tickets are currently on sale at Ticketmaster.com and at Sarratt Box Office on Vanderbilt’s campus. They are $10 and there is a $5 presale for Vanderbilt students that ends Monday, February 8th. All proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to Partners In Health to directly benefit their work in Haiti. There will be an opportunity to buy TOMS Shoes at the event, as well as meet Mr. Mycoskie.

Inspired and motivated by his visit to Argentina in 2006, Mr. Mycoskie founded TOMS Shoes on the principle that no child should have to go without a pair of shoes. As a social business, TOMS Shoes is an example of a for-profit company that exists to help people in need. TOMS Shoes uses the purchasing power of individuals to benefit the greater good, by providing a pair of new shoes to a child in need with every pair that is purchased.

Walking is often the primary mode of transportation in developing countries, and is necessary to obtain basic human needs – food, water, shelter, and medical help. Mr. Mycoskie found that most children in these countries grow up barefoot which can lead to injuries and dangerous infections. Also, many children cannot attend school if they are not wearing shoes. Without shoes, these children are being denied access to education and thus their future opportunities are being compromised. TOMS Shoes has already given away over 400,000 pairs of shoes to children in need.

What students are saying:

• “The Global Poverty Initiative is excited to host Mr. Mycoskie for this event. His work to alleviate the needless suffering of children around the world is inspiring, and his message is one that needs to be heard.” – Cayla Mackey
• “The fact that there is a growing culture of businesses that not only return a profit but help those in need is truly inspiring. Hearing about Mr. Mycoskie’s success with TOMS Shoes and his story will hopefully motivate us all to choose careers that fulfill our desire to make a difference.” – Lindsey Smith
• “I think that the most important thing we can do is to get the word out for the fight against poverty. By bringing in Blake Mycoskie, we are doing just that.” – Grant Lewis

Mr. Mycoskie’s prospective visit to Nashville is a wonderful opportunity to learn about global poverty and what is being done to help people in need. This is an opportunity that should not be missed.