Adidas has launched its 2025 Honoring Black Excellence (HBE) program, celebrating Black culture, resilience, and creativity through a combination of storytelling, community engagement, and philanthropic initiatives. This year’s program highlights the Quilters of Gee’s Bend, a renowned collective known for their intricate quilting techniques that have preserved Black history and storytelling for generations.
As part of the initiative, Adidas has unveiled a special-edition NCAA basketball jersey collection, drawing inspiration from the bold colors and patterns of Gee’s Bend quilts. These jerseys serve as a tribute to the artistry and cultural significance of the Quilters, blending their signature patchwork aesthetic with the spirit of college basketball. A portion of the proceeds from the collection will be donated to both the Quilters of Gee’s Bend and Adidas’ HBCU partners, further reinforcing the brand’s long-term commitment to supporting Black creatives and institutions.
To further honor the Quilters, Adidas has released a short-form documentary exploring their impact on art, community, and legacy-building. In addition, Adidas has made a community grant donation to Sew Gee’s Bend Heritage Builders, ensuring that the tradition of storytelling and craftsmanship continues to inspire future generations.
Adidas also played a significant role in this year’s HBCU Legacy Bowl, where participating athletes wore exclusive Adidas-designed uniforms that celebrated the shared cultural bonds within the Black community. As part of the event, Adidas commissioned the Quilters of Gee’s Bend to create five handcrafted quilts, each measuring 7ft x 7ft and crafted from repurposed school and sports apparel. These quilts were presented to Alabama State, Alcorn State, Grambling State, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, and Prairie View A&M, and will remain on display at each campus as a lasting tribute to Black excellence, heritage, and resilience.
Founded in 2019, Adidas’ Honoring Black Excellence initiative is rooted in co-creation and direct investment in Black leaders and institutions. By combining sport and culture, the program continues to highlight the contributions of Black visionaries while fostering empowerment within communities.
The Adidas Honoring Black Excellence NCAA basketball jersey collection is now available on Adidas.com, with proceeds supporting both the Quilters of Gee’s Bend and Adidas’ HBCU initiatives.
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