Johnnie Timu of Brown Pride

When more of us come together, the greater our impact. Johnnie Timu is the Founder and Director of the CrossFit affiliated gym Brown Pride and also part of the team behind FOBCUTS, a barbershop—both initiatives for the people, by the people, located in South Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. Knowing the work Johnnie does for communities in South Tāmaki Makaurau, we reached out with inventory we had, which we knew would benefit schools.

While historically we had not worked with schools we knew that there are many families experiencing high levels of material deprivation. Early October, Johnnie connected us, first, with Rowndale School and within that week, we provided new swimwear and stockings to the young people there, removing barriers to accessing these items while also creating an opportunity for students to participate in the newly formed water polo team.

In the following weeks, we then supplied Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate and Clendon Park Primary with Kathmandu and icebreaker pieces. By the end of November, Charli had delivered 840 garments, majority Kathmandu, icebreaker, AS Colour and Bonds swimwear to these schools which meant those students now had access to clothing that supports daily attendance and broader participation. 

We asked Johnnie to answer a few questions, to reflect on his work and to share how, by continuing to build connections between the corporate world, reimagining pathways for the excess, we can transform the lives of those barely getting by.

Interview by Tracey Creed.

What did this partnership reveal about the needs within the community spaces you serve and the support people are still struggling to access?

At first I didn’t think much of the swimming togs but then the staff at the school mentioned how a lot of the kids shied away from swimming activities because they didn’t have access to proper togs.

Long before mainstream cost of living crisis conversations, Rowandale School sits in a community that has been and continues to experience very real economic inequities. How did having access to swimwear and stockings help remove barriers for students and whānau who often carry more than people realise?

For the parents, I think this small gesture and donation just gave them a sense of relief and hope that better days are to come and that there is still good people out there. When you’re facing inequalities daily, any sense of hope makes a massive positive difference.

Looking ahead, what opportunities do you see if partnerships like this were ongoing and what outcomes do you think could be realised for schools in other communities facing similar inequalities?

We help create eco systems and webs of connections throughout the corporate to grassroots sector. We help bridge the gap between those that have the means or resources to help with those struggling to get by. We need to continue to build these connections and as we say in Brown Pride, always “for the people, by the people”. It’s nothing fancy or flash; it's simply people looking out for other people.