LIFT ALL × GymWrap
In 2011, Nicole Ari Parker had a simple observation: Black women were skipping the gym to protect their hair.
Not because they didn’t want to work out. Not because they lacked discipline. But because the tools didn’t exist to let them do both — protect their hair and train the way they wanted to train. And rather than just naming the problem, she decided to solve it.
What GymWrap Is
GymWrap is Nicole’s fitness brand, built around that original insight. The flagship product uses patented EvapoTECH technology — a tri-layer fabric that wicks moisture and releases heat, designed specifically to let you work out without sacrificing your hair health.
From a 2011 idea, GymWrap has grown into a serious retail presence: available at GymWrap.com, Sally Beauty, Walmart nationwide, and REI — a recently finalized deal that represents a significant expansion into the outdoor and active lifestyle market. The brand is also growing into apparel and gym accessories.
The Pay It Forward Program
Here’s where GymWrap and the Kodjoe Family Foundation intersect directly: GymWrap’s Pay It Forward program routes proceeds from sales to the Kodjoe Family Foundation. When you buy a GymWrap, you’re funding the scholars, the programs, and the work.
This isn’t a one-off campaign or a limited-edition collaboration. It’s the ongoing structure Nicole built into the brand from the beginning — that a commercial product could be the engine for a philanthropic mission.
Why This Matters for LIFT ALL
LIFT ALL is Nicole’s initiative — the Kodjoe Family Foundation’s wellness and economic sovereignty work. And GymWrap is the commercial embodiment of that mission. It started with a problem Black women face every day. It built a patented solution. It grew into a national brand. And it funds the Foundation’s programs.
That’s not corporate social responsibility. That’s a business designed from the ground up to generate both commercial value and community impact. The wellness and the equity work are the same work.
When Nicole says LIFT ALL raises the floor for Black women, families, and the next generation — GymWrap is part of what she means. It’s not just a product. It’s proof of concept.
