Image via Nike
The official observance of Black History Month is now on its 40th anniversary. Forty years of honoring the immeasurable significance people and events have had on African-American history. And, luckily, this time of year also means the sneaker community gets a treat from some of the biggest names in the business.
Over a decade ago we started to see the major sneaker players give nods to Black History Month, and today we get full-fledged commemoration with whole collections that pay homage. This year, brands are again going above and beyond, showcasing How the Sneaker World Commemorates Black History Month.
Nike
Nike enters its 12th year honoring Black History Month, and they certainly did not disappoint in 2016. Similar to 2015, Nike has introduced another gargantuan 28-shoe collection ranging from Jordan basketball to Nike soccer, including signature sneakers from LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, and Kyrie Irving. The featured colors are described as “Pan-African-inspired” with “custom geometric motifs.” Sales of the collection benefit Nike’s Ever Higher Fund, which supports African-American youth.
adidas
adidas has taken a much more focused approach to honoring Black History Month by honing in on the cultural impact of Jesse Owens, an influential figure in both athletics and social justice. The track and field star’s story is one of great significance in black history and is widely considered to be one of the most inspirational, considering not only what he did for the sport, but what he did under intense racial and political scrutiny during the 1936 summer games in Berlin—shattering world records, all while wearing a custom pair of spiked cleats handmade by Adi Dassler in his Herzogenaurach, Germany, workshop.
To honor Owens' legacy, Derrick Rose, James Harden, and Damian Lillard (and one former brand ambassador in John Wall), all of whom are African-American, will be getting their own Jesse Owens-edition sneaker complete with a signature “733” detail to commemorate Owens’ bib number during the Berlin games.
Puma
Much like adidas, Puma has decided to pay tribute to an athlete who stood up to social injustice and solidified his spot in history, on and off the track. Tommie Smith broke his own world record in the 200m during the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, but it isn’t necessarily the record he is being recognized for, but the political stand he made during the medal ceremony. In protest against segregation and poverty, and in a stand for the human rights of African-Americans, Smith put on black leather gloves, removed his Puma Suedes, and gave the Black Power salute. He was immediately suspended from the U.S. team by the International Olympic Committee president. Luckily, a powerful statement had already been made and Smith’s gesture altered the course of history, leading to more recognition of the issues at hand to help the American Civil Rights movement.
The three-shoe pack — including two Suedes and a Sky-Hi II — features Pan African colors and patterns, along with the silhouette of Tommie Smith’s infamous “Fist of Freedom” on the tongue.
Under Armour
Stephen Curry is quickly becoming one of the most recognizable and popular figures in all of sports. People gravitate toward his work ethic and his unique skill set, while his charisma and leadership make him one heck of a likable person. Under Armour certainly agrees, giving him his second signature shoe in the Curry Two, and also dropping a Black History Month version of his signature shoe.