Nike is continuing its commitment to and support of HBCUs with its third iteration of the Nike Yardrunners, as the first cohort recognized HBCU business owners and entrepreneurs and the second focused on the duality of student-athletes, the third cohort is focused on HBCU alumni who are forging a legacy that will inspire future generations.
Via the Yardrunners 3.0, Nike is working with the HBCU community to tell authentic stories, co-create culturally relevant product, deliver scholarships, activate on campuses throughout homecoming, and establish networking opportunities through Nike’s university recruiting team which was created in 2021 with a sharp focus on engaging candidates from diverse pipelines.
The 2022 Yardrunners apparel collection will span across 19 HBCUs, with Prarie View University, Hampton University, and Grambling State University being new additions and will be available for purchase on October 6th via Nike.com.
Nike is also dropping Nike Dunk Lows for Tennessee State University, Clark Atlanta University, Florida A&M University, and North Carolina A&T University in which Nike worked with four black HBCU and Yardrunners women on the designs, using their experiences and inspirations at each university.
Nike will also be providing each respective HBCU will be giving students first access of the Nike Dunk Low on October 7th at an NBHD Nike store with a wider release at each university’s homecoming as well as an SNKRS release down in the near future.
Check out the photos of the Yardrunners 3.0 class as well as links to each respective Nike Dunk Low below. And for all the latest drop dates, head over to our Sneaker Release Dates page.
Nike Dunk Low “North Carolina A&T“
Designed with Arial Robinson, a Yardrunners 2.0 alumni and a Charlotte, N.C., native currently studying Multimedia Journalism at North Carolina A&T State University. Arial’s accomplishments are plenty, having been named 2021 HBCU Creative of the Year, 2019 Forbes 30 Under 30 Scholar, and the published author of the books The Modern-Day Black Alphabet and Black Hair Care in Color.
- The Nike Dunk Low ‘North Carolina A&T University’ is accented with the HBCU’s gold and blue color scheme
- The various grays of the outer are modeled after the NC A&T Student Center. The cement building was built to serve as “the heart of the campus”
- The yellow laces are modeled after the infamous yellow staircase found inside of the building and detailed with the words “Ayantee” in reference to the HBCUs award-winning yearbook
- A nod to the school’s founding year, “1891,” is on the sneaker’s spine in gold
- The school’s blue logo is prominently displayed on the front of the tongue, while “From Greensboro with Love” is displayed on the back
- The bottom of the shoe highlights the grass found on the campus as a nod to the joke that “A&T always keeps the grass cut low”
Nike Dunk Low “Florida A&M”
Designed with Caitlyn Davis, a Yardrunners 1.0 and Florida A&M University alumna who became an entrepreneur during her time on “The Hill.” Several years later the Atlanta native’s business still influences students at FAMU and beyond.
- The Nike Dunk Low ‘Florida A&M University’ features the school’s orange and green colorway
- The school’s Rattler head logo is on the sneaker’s tongue while the phrase “Strike, Strike, and Strike Again” from the school’s Rattler chant is woven into its back
- Its founding year, “1887,” is embroidered on the left heel and the well-known FAMU saying, “We Bragg Different,” is on the right heel
- “COLAC” – College of Love and Charity, which is the first line of FAMU’s alma mater – is on the forefoot
Nike Dunk Low “Clark Atlanta University”
Heather Haynes is a Yardrunners 1.0 alum and the daughter of two HBCU alums who continued the family’s legacy by attending Clark Atlanta University. The alumna today aims to bring Black people from all walks of life together in her work as a video director and global marketer.
- The Nike Dunk Low ‘Clark Atlanta University’ features the school’s red, black, and grey color scheme
- The university’s motto – “Find a Way or Make One” – is displayed on the laces
- The Panthers’ logo is prominently displayed on the sneaker’s tongue, outsole, and insole
- The history of CAU is represented with “Clark College” & “Atlanta University” emblazoned on the back of the tongue
- “1988” is embroidered on the heel, a nod to when Clark College merged with Atlanta University
- The CAU campus map can be seen on the insole
Nike Dunk Low “Tennessee State University”
Kalynn Terrell is a Yardrunners 1.0 alumni and fashion designer who sharpened her creative skills during her time at Tennessee State University.
- The Nike Dunk Low ‘Tennessee State University’ celebrates “Tiger Pride”
- It features TSU’s blue and white color scheme and incorporates hints of red and gold on the tongue and heel tags in reference the school alma mater “The Land of Golden Sunshine”
- “Tiger Pride” can be found on the sock liner, while the laces are outfitted with a tiger print design
- Tiger Pride is a direct representation of TSU’s Courtyard Wednesdays and pep rallies in the amphitheater that always feature the school mascot, Aristocat the Tiger
- “1912” is embroidered on the heel, a nod to TSU’s founding year
- The TSU logo is prominently displayed on the sneaker’s tongue, while the school motto “Think. Work. Serve.” is found on the tongue tags
