For the last five years, Nike has celebrated February’s Black History Month with a unique tribute to the heritage of Nike’s African American employees and consumers. In 2008, Nike created the 4th iteration of its Black History Month Shoe, taking its cue from a unique African textile fabric.
A limited number of the shoes were made and distributed as an iconic reward to individuals who have influenced positive change in their communities. “We reward people for giving back to their communities and this shoe is a semblance of that. We aren’t retailing the shoe because it’s our way of celebrating and acknowledging the history of African Americans,” said Larry Harper, the project's founder and Nike's VP of US Geographical Business Units, who also collaborated with Astor Chambers, Global Footwear Product Director.
Using Nike’s iconic Air Force One model, the design inspiration for the shoe was taken from African mudcloth. The mudcloth is used in many different African countries and it can speak to countless proverbs and traditions within such a large and diverse continent. The lace tips and dubrae are made of wood and allude to the shoe’s premium craftsmanship. Inspirational words from Dr. Carter G. Woodson, recognized as the Father of Black History, are emblazoned in the sockliner, while the rich symbols used in decorating mudcloth are lasered onto the vamp of each shoe. For the first time, two gender-specific colorways were created, which are inspired by the earthly colors used in painting traditional and nontraditional mudcloth. The shoe’s story is also elevated beyond the shoe and into the packaging, which includes a certificate of authenticity and a custom box inscribed with the shoe’s mission.
“Much like the diverse stories woven into the painted fabrics of African mudcloth- from symbols and color pallets to gender rolls in the creation of the fabric, so is the need for African American culture to be woven into American history,” Harper recounted when asked about the shoe’s history.
Various events across the country will highlight the shoe and Nike’s celebration of Black History month in select cities including LA, Chicago, Miami, NY, and Atlanta.