Two Ten Footwear Foundation

It's time for another #ThrowbackThursday as we count down to the Two Ten Gala this June! Community has always been at the heart of the Two Ten Gala, but entertainment has long been part of its magic as well. At our 44th banquet in 1983, guests were treated to performances by comedian Norm Crosby and legendary singer Dionne Warwick. Fun fact: the event took place the same night as Super Bowl XVII, so the game was broadcast live in the Grand Foyer. Learn more about our upcoming gala on June 2: https://twoten.org/gala/

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and we’re using this moment to strengthen and refresh our free Employee Assistance Program. We want to better support the people behind the footwear industry with accessible, confidential resources such as counseling, financial wellness, and life planning support for employees and their families. Take our quick, 5-minute survey to help us shape the services we offer to our broader community. https://lnkd.in/eGPMUQeF

We're excited to kick off our annual Footwear News x Two Ten Footwear Foundation Women Who Rock event on June 3 during market week! The speaker lineup thus far includes: Brandice Daniel of Harlem's Fashion Row (HFR), creative director and designer June Ambrose, New Balance’s Tracy Shub Knauer, Bloomingdale's Jennifer Jones, and Wolverine Worldwide's Kate Pinkham. Women Who Rock will kick off at 5:30 p.m. with cocktails and networking, and the content portion of the evening is slated to begin at 6:30. After the program ends at 7:30 p.m., guests are invited to gather for additional cocktails. Learn more and register: https://lnkd.in/eFzEG-AB

This Mother’s Day, we’re celebrating the many ways women lead, support, and care for those around them at home, at work, and everywhere in between. In a powerful guest essay, footwear industry leader Faryl Morse shares her experience building a career in footwear while navigating the realities of caregiving. When she launched Faryl Robin in 2001, her vision went beyond creating great footwear. She wanted to build a workplace that recognized and supported the realities of caregiving. “Nobody should choose between family obligations and work obligations in a world where they can coexist,” said Faryl. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e8kf7EEd

Sign up for our free, annual HR Summit, taking place virtually on June 3, 2026. HR professionals are navigating more complexity than ever. This year, we’re focusing on what’s getting harder and how leaders in the footwear industry are responding in real time. We’ll cover: • Driving employee engagement with limited resources • How teams are actually using AI today • What leaders are seeing day-to-day that’s reshaping how they work ... and more! Attendance is free, but advanced registration is required: https://lnkd.in/g5tY2TUn

As we gear up for this year’s annual gala on June 2, we’re taking it back to where it all began. In 1940, more than 1,000 people gathered for Two Ten’s very first “banquet” at the Hotel Statler, marking the start of a powerful tradition. At the time, Two Ten president and co-founder Abe Berkowitz called the turnout a “seal of acceptance” that our mission was truly a worthy one. More than 80 years later, our mission is stronger than ever. Learn more about our gala: https://twoten.org/gala/

We’re officially one month away from our annual gala!   Join us for the biggest night in footwear as we celebrate our impact, community, and honor two outstanding industry leaders, Mark Lardie and Tacey Powers.  Be part of an unforgettable evening supporting the people behind our industry. Learn more: https://twoten.org/gala/ 

Women Who Rock is just around the corner! Join Two Ten and Footwear News as we gather top executives and rising stars from across the footwear industry to talk about valuable leadership lessons and the road ahead. A limited number of discounted tickets are available for friends of Two Ten. Use code TWOTEN at checkout for a discounted rate. Offer expires on May 6! https://lnkd.in/eFzEG-AB

Congratulations to Mark Lardie on an incredible run at Rack Room Shoes. Throughout his career, Mark has driven meaningful growth while staying deeply committed to a values-led culture. He has been an invaluable partner in advancing the mission of Two Ten. We’re proud to honor Mark with the 2026 A.A. Bloom Memorial Award at our annual gala this June. His impact on Rack Room and the industry at large will extend far beyond his tenure. Wishing you all the best in your retirement, Mark. https://lnkd.in/ecMJY_3X

Daniel Keota has faced life-changing health challenges from Sarcoidosis, an inflammatory disease most commonly found in the lungs. With support from Two Ten, the PUMA Group Assistant Manager navigated financial hardship and found purpose through comedy, which he now uses to help others. This Sarcoidosis Awareness Month, Daniel’s story is a powerful reminder of resilience and the strength of community. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eRa-7hCx