The 117th U.S. Open is underway in New York City and Adidas kicked off the competition in a special way.

Yesterday Adidas, Pharrell Williams, Stan Smith and Adidas tennis athletes Garbiñe Muguruza, Angelique Kerber, Sascha Zverev, Dominic Thiem and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga gathered at Frederick Johnson Community Court in Harlem, NY to host a tennis clinic with local youth organizations to kick off the launch of Don’t Be Quiet Please, (click to play below), a New York City-wide campaign inspiring individuals to make game-changing pledges. During the event, Williams delivered a manifesto inviting New Yorkers to join him in a citywide activation encouraging all to believe in their voices and be loud in inspiring change through love.

Inspired to look at tennis from a different point of view, and how sports can serve as a vehicle for positivity and change, together Adidas and Williams announced a community program including the restoration of a New York City tennis court through a donation to the NYC Parks and children’s tennis scholarships in Adidas by Pharrell Williams, Court 16 and Horizons.

In celebration of Williams’ manifesto, Adidas will give New York City, its community and special guests, a platform to let their voices be heard and encourage all to be loud in inspiring change through love. Umpire chairs become symbolic icons of the Quiet Please campaign and serve as physical stages throughout the city for people to express themselves and their love. Creating a city-wide social sensation, ten umpire chairs will be stationed in the following locations: Columbus Circle, The Apollo Theater, The New York Public Library, Herald Square, Flatiron,Union Square, Astor Place, Christopher Street at Gay Street, Petrosino Square and AtlanticTerminal (see below).

Williams, a longtime Adidas collaborator, was inspired by the great tennis legends of the past, and has developed his first performance collection with Adidas. Garbiñe Muguruza, AngeliqueKerber, Sascha Zverev, Dominic Thiem and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga will all be wearing the Adidas tennis collection by Williams during their upcoming matches. The premium collection will be available at Adidas and Billionaire Boys Club flagships, Adidas.com and select retailers globally on August 31. 
Photos and video courtesy Adidas