Using the power of sport to inspire and uplift, Nike’s EQUALITY products support inclusion for everyone by providing a platform for all athletes to celebrate and participate in this movement. The 2018 EQUALITY collection includes footwear, apparel and accessories in black or white with gold accents.
Additionally, select styles feature graphics derived from cymatics, the visualization of sound waves, drawn from a recording of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech (specifically, his “I have a dream” and “created equal” soundbites). This was accomplished by using a cymatic camera to capture photos of the sound waves as those sounds passed through water.
A closer look at the 2018 Nike EQUALITY collection
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EQUALITY Air Force 1 Low / August 28, 1963: On this day, Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. The hangtag includes “created equal” cymatics on one side and “I Have a Dream. That one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed.” written on the other. The shoe launches January 15.
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Air Jordan I High EQUALITY: Carmelo Anthony has been very vocal in his fight against social injustice. His love for the city of Baltimore and the work he has done for that community inspired this shoe. It will be available January 15.
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EQUALITY Tee: It comes in black with gold lettering and white with gold lettering. It will be available in men’s, women’s and kids’ sizing on January 15. Additionally, an EQUALITY hat and socks will also release this day.
NBA teams playing January 11-15 will wear the Nike “I Have a Dream” Tee during warm-ups, which was designed with the MLK Foundation and Martin Luther King III. It will be available early February.
Another way Nike supports equality for all is with its annual Black History Month (BHM) collection that celebrates black heritage around the world by fueling community action to create positive change.
The colors used in the latest BHM collection, which is highlighted by three signature basketball offerings and includes running and Nike Sportswear footwear as well as Jordan Brand apparel and accessories, were inspired by the Pan-African flag (Pan-Africanism is a worldwide intellectual movement that aims to encourage and strengthen the bond of solidarity between all people of African descent).
Select shoes in the BHM collection feature a specific date on which someone stood up for the values of equality, diversity and inclusion, changing the landscape to move the world forward.
Learn about these moments and get a look at the 2018 Nike BHM collection
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Air Jordan 1 Flyknit BHM / November 22, 2016: The day (which is printed on the insole) Michael Jordan was rewarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom — the nation’s highest civilian honor that celebrates extraordinary individuals who have pushed for progress — from President Barack Obama. The shoe will be available February 1.
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KDX BHM / May 6, 2104: The day Kevin Durant gave his MVP speech, where he said, “I’d like to thank God for changing my life and letting me really realize what life is all about. Basketball is just a platform in order for me to inspire people.” That speech, where he talked about how he came from meager beginnings and credited his mother with making him who he is today, is recognized as one of the most impactful MVP speeches of all time because it focused more on community than his accomplishments. The shoe will be worn by NBA players on court on January 15 as well as throughout the month of February. It will be available January 15.
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LeBron XV BHM / July 13, 2016: The date of the 2016 ESPYs, where LeBron James publically called his fellow athletes to action, prompting them to use their fame to heal a country divided by racism, injustice and gun violence. "Speak up. Use our influence. And renounce all violence,” he said. "We all have to do better." The shoe will be worn by NBA players on court on January 15 as well as throughout the month of February. It will be available in men’s and kids’ sizes January 15.
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Kyrie 4 BHM: Kyrie Irving didn’t want a date on his BHM shoe. That’s because he says he doesn’t want to look at the past. He wants to change and inspire the future. The shoe will be worn by NBA players on court in January and throughout the month of February. It will be available in men’s and kids’ sizes January 15.
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EQUALITY Mercurial Vapor XI: Kevin-Prince Boateng will wear this special boot on pitch on January 13, while Dani Alves will wear it later that week. It will be available January 15.
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Air Vapormax Flyknit BHM / August 20, 1993:
The day Gail Devers broke boundaries by successfully earning double gold at the IAAF World Championship in Stuttgart, finishing first in the 100-meter hurdles just days after claiming the 100-meter title and cementing a commemorative moment for women in sport. The shoe will be available February 1.
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Air Force 1 High BHM: This is the first time this type of printing has been done on an Air Force 1. It will be available February 1.
The 2018 BHM collection also includes a short- and long-sleeve Jordan tee, a Jordan hoodie and Jordan hat that will be available February 1. In February, all NBA teams will wear BHM NBA warm-up tees featuring the following words that were chosen by the players: compassion, dream, empower, engage, equality, hope, inspire, justice, lead, listen, love, motivate, organize and unify. The tee will be available February 1.
Nike will continue to follow the inspiration of its athletes and employees to uplift and bring people together in the following months and beyond. To learn more and find a way to get involved, go to nike.com/equality.
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