Sharks employee, artist creates Juneteenth shirt to benefit local charity

The San Jose Sharks marked Juneteenth with a charitable effort made possible by one of their very artistic employees.

Mohamed Fofana, an account manager with the Sharks and an artist, made a piece, which features a play on the chomping Sharks logo incorporated with breaking the chains off an enslaved person's hands.

The team put the design on a t-shirt and sold it on Friday to commemorate Juneteeth, which celebrates the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States.

Sales from the t-shirt will benefit The African American Community Service Agency in San Jose. It is the only multi-service Community Center for Black people in Northern California. The Sharks pledged to match the proceeds from the shirts.

In a post on Instagram, Fofana described the design and the project.

Instagram from @mfthebrand: I am so grateful for the opportunity and the platform from the @sanjosesharks to create something from the heart to symbolize #Juneteenth! I never imagined me sharing my art and talking about racial injustice with my team would lead to this. I sincerely thank everyone involved and I'll leave you with this: lead with pure intentions, lead with purpose and never dim your light because you're afraid it may be too bright for others to see.The Shark biting through the chains represents the San Jose Sharks taking a stand against systemic racism and it also symbolizes the importance that professional sports organizations play in taking a stand and recognizing that change starts within.

"I am so grateful for the opportunity and the platform from the San Jose Sharks to create something from the heart to symbolize Juneteenth! I never imagined me sharing my art and talking about racial injustice with my team would lead to this. I sincerely thank everyone involved and I'll leave you with this: lead with pure intentions, lead with purpose and never dim your light because you're afraid it may be too bright for others to see.

"The Shark biting through the chains represents the San Jose Sharks taking a stand against systemic racism and it also symbolizes the importance that professional sports organizations play in taking a stand and recognizing that change starts within."