February is Black History Month, the magnitude of this month is not lost on all of us at SoleSavy. Sneaker culture is deeply in Black culture. We think it’s important to celebrate this fact not only this month but also throughout the year.
To kick this amplification off we wanted to tap into our community and learn more about what Black History Month means to them as it relates to sneakers. We received many thoughtful responses and we look forward to sharing them throughout the month. One of the first things we wanted to touch on is our community’s favorite BHM themed kicks.
Air Jordan 3 ‘BHM’ (2011)
Bold and vibrant are typically what come to mind when thinking about BHM kicks. The Air Jordan 3 ‘BHM’ flips the script, instead opting for a subtle nod to BHM. An all-black upper is accompanied by metallic gold accents and stitching. Instead of the traditional elephant print that typically graces the AJ3, this colorway features a different pattern that’s reminiscent of the prints typically found in traditional African clothing. You may have seen the AJ3 ‘BHM’ on Nick Young, he rocked the sneaker a few times during his tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Air Jordan XX9 ‘BHM’ (2015)
Jordan’s 2015 BHM Collection was pretty hit or miss, you either loved it or weren’t a fan. The collection featured a geometric pattern with tribal influences and every piece was black and white. One of the standouts from that group was the Air Jordan XX9. The tribal pattern really complimented the shape of the sneaker. Rusell Westbrook was one of the guys to debut this shoe during the 2014-15 NBA season.
Nike Kyrie 2 ‘BHM’ (2016)
Nike Basketball has traditionally led the charge with BHM themed kicks, with their collections often debuting in the NBA on MLK Day. One of their strongest efforts came from their 2016 Collection, the Kyrie 2. The collection was a celebration of the global bond sport creates, and each shoe featured patterns inspired by Black History Month and the Power of One philosophy.
Nike Vapormax ‘BHM’ (2018)
The Nike Air VaporMax ‘BHM’ is a bit of a sleeper when you think back on BHM themed kicks, but its execution was exquisite. Subtle hits at the heel, on the outsole, and lace tips were inspired by the colors of the Pan-African flag. A close glance at the heel will show the date 8/20/93, which is a callout to the day that storied Olympian Gail Devers made history in the 4th World Championships in Athletics by earning double-gold (100 M & 100 M Hurdles).
As part of Nike’s 2018 BHM Collection, a portion of proceeds was used to help support the Ever Higher Fund. Which was created to bring mentorship and sport to African American youth.
Nike LeBron 15 ‘Equality’ (2018)
In 2018, Nike and LeBron James came out swinging in the fight for justice, with the aptly titled ‘Equality’ colorways of the Nike LeBron 15. The shoes came in either sultry black or clean white, both featuring the word “equality” on the heels in gold lettering (Bron turned heads with the shoes by wearing one white and one black shoe in-game).
In the spirit of fairness and equality, these shoes weren’t sold. The 400 pairs (200 white, 200 black) were made available through an online drawing. Entrants could enter for free or donate $10, with entries being unlimited and winners randomly selected. All proceeds were used to support the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Nike LeBron 16 ‘Equality’ (2019)
After the success of their ‘Equality’ colorways in 2018, Nike and Bron followed up with another effort on the latter’s 16th signature sneaker. The sides seemingly listened to the critiques from the LeBron 15 ‘Equality’ drawing, limited pairs, and the colorways not being mix-matched like Bron did in-game, for the follow-up effort.
Each pair came with one white and one black sneaker and quantities were plentiful, with the shoes even making their way to popular retailers like Foot Locker and Finish Line.
Colin Kaepernick x Nike AF-1 (2019)
This one isn’t exactly a BHM themed sneaker, but it’s a celebration of an important figure in Black History, Colin Kaepernick. Say what you want about Kaep, you have to respect his willingness to stand up for his convictions even at the cost of his professional career.
A staple of style across the globe, the AF-1 was the perfect model for this collaboration. The same way the shoe broke barriers in fashion, Kaep broke barriers in sport. This collaboration was a celebration of the voice of the athlete, which they’re still fighting for today.
Air Jordan 2 ‘BHM’ (2019)
The Air Jordan 2 has seen a resurgence of late thanks to the recent OFF-WHITE collaboration and the upcoming Union and A Ma Maniere projects, but back in 2019, the model wasn’t as highly acclaimed. One of the more slept on colorways was the AJ2 ‘BHM,’ which features patterning inspired by traditional African Kente cloth.
Nike AF-1 ‘BHM’ (2020)
For Nike’s 2020 BHM Collection they put a focus on doing more than simply honoring African-American history. Nike sought to acknowledge the stories, struggles, and triumphs of black people around the world.
One of the most innovative BHM designs we’ve seen, the Nike AF-1 ‘BHM’ features loose threads on the upper to represent the connections shared through sport and a mirrored panel on the toebox as a reminder that the shoe is a reflection of the wearer’s image. This shoe was a homerun.
New Balance ‘My Story Matters’ (2021)
The most recent release on the list. New Balance’s 2021 ‘My Story Matters’ Collection was truly for the culture. Inspired by Sunday Church services, the collection is draped in regal shades of burgundy and purple. The latter color is a direct nod to the robes typically worn by gospel choirs. The cherry on top, the entire collection was designed by Black New Balance team members and the campaign featured Black ambassadors, Jaden Smith, and Coco Gauff. Bravo to New Balance for letting their team’s voices be heard.