‘First Strides’ celebrates, inspires and enables people and organisations taking bold strides to move culture forward for all, investing in cultural trailblazers through grants, visibility, mentorship and empowerment programming. The initiative has seen Johnnie Walker champion women filmmakers at the Oscars, partner with IFundWomen to promote its career equality ambitions and team up with LA-based Angel City F.C. to advocate for more opportunities in women’s sport.

Many incredible Walkers have partnered with Johnnie Walker First Strides, all of whom share its ambition for progress: from Gina Prince-Bythewood, a director, writer and producer advocating for equal representation in the film industry, to TV host and comedian Lilly Singh addressing barriers facing women in leadership and artists Brittany Howard and Tia. P creating the first original anthem for a U.S. women's professional sports team, for Angel City F.C