The Black-owned water bottle brand SUPLMNT welcomes NBA player Gary Payton II as its latest investor.
The brand was founded in 2020 by South Philadelphia, PA, native Jairus Morris, who aims to improve hydration in Black and brown communities. His journey as a founder was inspired by his mother, who took on multiple jobs to support the household of five children.
“I grew up in a South Philly single-mother household with four siblings. My mother was my first inspiration and motivation to want to be an entrepreneur,” he said in an interview shared on Medium. “She always tried side hustles to bring in extra income for my family; whether it was selling Mary Kay or braiding hair, she did it. Moving us out of the ghetto in South Philly to a suburb in New Jersey was the best thing she could have done. It exposed me to see that there was so much more to life outside of the hood.”
As an adult, he also mentioned recognizing disparities around health and wellness, which further inspired his mission when launching SUPLMNT, which gave birth to the first Black-owned insulated water bottle.
“I knew it would be the perfect opportunity to use my platform to educate our black and brown communities on the importance of hydration,” he commented.
Most recently, Payton II has tag-teamed in support of SUPLMNT securing an equity stake and will assist in helping the brand reach new audiences, according to a news release.
“As an athlete, hydration is key to my performance, and SUPLMNT is creating a product that speaks to both function and culture,” said Payton II, per the release. “I’m excited to join the team, not just as a partner but as an advocate for wellness, sustainability, and Black-owned innovation.”
Morris commented:
“Bringing Gary on board is a game-changer for SUPLMNT. He represents everything we stand for—grit, perseverance, and elevating the culture. His belief in our brand will help take us to new heights.”
