Fashion Corner: Nike Reveals Their 2015 Black History Month Collection (Available 1/17)

Rebecca 'Rain' Rodriguez

Nike honors six sports figures with their 2015 Black History Month collection of sneakers, hats and apparel.

Nike is back with their annual Black History Month collection. This year they honor six athletes and coaches who have positively impacted sport with their courage and determination: Theotis Beasley, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Jerry Rice, Brianna Rollins, C. Vivian Stringer and John Thompson.

I’m super excited that they are honoring coach John Thompson. My dad was a huge Georgetown and John Thompson fan and so am I by default.

I could see my dad at least rocking a cap with pride so, I might have to cop one.

L to R: Snapback BHM , Nike Sportswear w/new BHM prints , Jordan Hat BHM

The limited edition 2015 BHM Collection includes 28 items, all featuring a black and white palette and mix of three different prints.
  
The collection ranges from performance to lifestyle with 12 shoes and 16 apparel and accessory items for men and women. The 2015 BHM Collection includes the hats show above along with:

Men’s Sneakers
L to R: Top-LEBRON 12 BHM , KD7 BHM, Bottom- KOBE 9 Elite BHM, KYRIE 1 BHM 

L to R: Top -Air Force 1 Duckboot BHM ,Air Max 1 BHM , Bottom- Air Jordan XX9 BHM, Air Jordan 1 BHM 

Women’s Sneakers
L to R: Top -Air Max 1 Ultra BHM, Air Force 1 Ultra Force Bottom -Mercurial Superfly BHM, Nike SB Dunk BHM
Apparel Collections

Nike Basketball BHM product including the LEBRON 12, KYRIE 1, KD 7 and KOBE 9 Elite (clockwise from upper left).

Jordan Brand Black History Month product featuring the new BHM prints

Jordan Brand Black History Month product featuring the new BHM prints
A portion of proceeds from the sale of the 2015 BHM Collection go to the Ever Higher Fund, which supports organizations that leverage the power of sport to maximize the potential of underserved youth. The fund’s mission is to assist communities with knowledge, resources and tools for the next generation of leaders.

The Ever Higher Fund is a donor-advised fund established in 2014 and administered by the Charities Aid Foundation of America (CAF America), a national 501(c)3 public charity.

The 2015 BHM Collection will be available globally at nike.com and select retail locations beginning Jan. 17.


Here’s a look at the six athletes and coaches that are being honored:
THEOTIS BEASLEY, SKATEBOARDING:

One of skateboarding’s ultimate role models, Beasley takes pride in helping grow the sport, and the character of its athletes, through positive action.

“I focus on keeping a clean image so my younger fans are able to look up to me as a young black professional athlete and be inspired,”Beasley said.
KEVIN-PRINCE BOATENG, SOCCER:
Boateng took a stand against intolerable abuse on the pitch, inspiring his team to help in the fight against racism and take action as one.

“We cannot afford to be indifferent or passive. Athletes, musicians and business people have a special responsibility,” Boateng said. “We speak to parts of society and pierce the hearts of those people that political discussions will never reach.”
JERRY RICE, FOOTBALL:

Values instilled by Rice’s family gave Rice the power to shatter records and etch his name in the history books.

“To me, it was never about what I accomplished on the football field. It was about the way I played the game,” Rice said.
BRIANNA ROLLINS, TRACK AND FIELD:

Inspiration from a track coach who saw Rollins’s true potential gave her the power to overcome tremendous odds on a record-breaking journey that has just begun.

“I want to break world records and win gold medals, but I also want to be known as the athlete who glorified God by reaching my full potential,”Rollins said.
C. VIVIAN STRINGER, BASKETBALL:
Courage and the will to fight for her rights enabled Stringer to overcome the odds and realize her goals. Her unassailable dignity and achievement in the face of adversity set a standard that empowered those she coached and inspired millions more.

“My hope is that they will come to share my fundamental and unshakable faith: that each and every one of us has the ability to triumph in the face of adversity, to lift ourselves up and succeed, no matter what trials we encounter,”Stringer said.
JOHN THOMPSON, BASKETBALL:

Dedication to mentorship on and off the court gave Thompson the power to inspire with the strength of his character. He guided the young men he coached to victory on the court and gave them a blueprint for success beyond the court.

“Basketball was a form of hope. It was a vehicle through which I could teach and deal with something larger,” Thompson said. “I could use it to open a doorway for myself and other people. It represented more than just winning a game.”

Photo Credit: Nike