Grind City Cares :: Our May Nonprofit of the Month {2026}

Grind City Cares (GCC) is the nonprofit arm of Grind City Kicks (GCK), a Memphis- based sports apparel and shoe brand founded on the mission of giving back to the community. What started as a brand quickly grew into something much larger as the organization became deeply involved in community outreach, support initiatives, and partnerships throughout Memphis and the Mid-South. The level of impact and community engagement made it clear that a dedicated nonprofit organization was needed to continue expanding that work.

Since its inception in early 2020, Grind City Cares has provided thousands of dollars in support throughout Memphis, the Mid-South, and across Tennessee through community-focused initiatives, partnerships, and direct outreach efforts. One of GCC’s first major projects took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the organization launched a “Stay Safe” t-shirt campaign to help families and individuals struggling with health concerns and lack of essential resources. The campaign received support from across the country and was later highlighted on ABC24 News.

Over the years, Grind City Cares has partnered with, and supported, organizations focused on reducing gun violence, supporting underserved schools and athletic programs, and creating opportunities for youth and families. Through its partnership with GCK Sports & Athletics, the organization has helped provide thousands of uniforms and apparel items to schools, teams, and organizations across the Mid-South that otherwise lacked the financial means to support their athletes.

GCC has also hosted community 5K events benefiting local families during the Thanksgiving season and has fed more than 10,000 individuals through its Grind City Eats initiative and ongoing partnership efforts with organizations such as Catholic Charities of West Tennessee. In addition, Grind City Cares has helped provide thousands of toys, clothing items, and essential resources to children and families in need throughout the region.

The organization has continuously supported nonprofits and initiatives serving children with developmental disabilities, volunteered at family-centered events throughout the Mid-South, and contributed to organizations such as the American Cancer Society through both volunteerism and financial support for events like Making Strides and Relay for Life.

In 2023, Founder, President & CEO Chima Onwuka and Vice President Monica Onwuka established the Grind City Cares Onwuka Fund at their alma mater, the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. The fund was created to support students academically, financially, and socially during their time on campus.

One of Grind City Cares’ most meaningful and personal initiatives to date is the Grind City Cares Midsouth Race for Perinatal Awareness. The race was founded following the personal experience of Chima and Monica Onwuka welcoming twins, one of whom spent 80 days in the NICU due to feeding and swallowing complications. During that time, their family faced emotional, mental, and logistical challenges while navigating specialized care, balancing family responsibilities, and experiencing firsthand the difficulties many families encounter during the perinatal period.

That journey opened their eyes to the realities surrounding maternal and infant health, birth complications, NICU stays, infant loss, and the mental and emotional impact these experiences can have on families.

Created to honor those experiences and support families walking similar paths, the Grind City Cares Mid-South Race for Perinatal Awareness is now a free community event taking place on June 6, 2026, at Shelby Farms Park. With generous support from community sponsors, healthcare partners, nonprofits, clinics, and donors, the event is offered completely free to families and participants.

The event brings together families, healthcare providers, community organizations, and local leaders to raise awareness around maternal and infant health, reduce disparities, and connect families to valuable health, wellness, and support resources throughout the Mid-South. Participants can walk, run, volunteer, and engage with organizations providing education, family services, healthcare resources, and wellness support, all within a family-friendly environment centered on awareness, resilience, hope, and healthier beginnings.

Grind City Cares remains committed to serving the community daily while continuing to expand its vision nationally and globally by creating meaningful impact in other states and countries through initiatives focused on education, hunger relief, health and wellness, youth development, and access to essential resources.