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Nike's commitment to HBCUs has been seen through its Yardrunners program, which, since 2020, has given designers from various historically black colleges and universities the opportunity to commemorate their alma matta. Past collections in the Yardrunners program included an array of Nike Dunk Low colorways and Terminator High renditions. Following an early preview of an Air Force 1 Low made for Virginia Union University, images of an AF1 for Howard University have emerged.
Unlike the pair for VUU, which sees faux black pony hair utilized across the upper, this pair sticks to more traditional construction and colorblocking. Sail shades, used as a nod to the rich history of HBCU's that date back to the year 1837, dominate the tumbled leather panels on the mudguard, eyestays, toebox, midfoot, and heel, while a brown shade Nike dubs "bison" takes over the Swoosh, tongue, sockliner, and heel tab. The use of this deep brown color is meant to represent the shades of melanin and beauty that connect every student to their school, rots, and the generations of Black excellence that came before them. The coordinates for Howard University, “38.9227 N, 77.0194 W,” are placed in this same bison brown near the lateral toe.
Moving up toward the tongue, we see Nike Air logos alongside added branding details for the Yardrunners program on the left shoe and the signature of Kahlana Barfield Brown, an alum of Howard who helped design the colorway. Underfoot, the pair is finished off with a sail rubber midsole featuring bison brown details on the AIR text near the heel and a brown rubber outsole.
The Nike Air Force 1 Low Yardrunners Howard University will release on December 18, 2024, through DTLR and select retailers online and in-store. A Nike SNKRS release will take place on December 21. Available in unisex sizing, the retail price is set at $120. Download the Sole Retriever mobile app to stay updated on the latest releases, raffles, news, and more in the sneaker and streetwear world.
Nike Air Force 1 Low Yardrunners Howard University
Images via Nike
Images via DTLR
Images via Nike
Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. When not writing for Sole Retriever, I enjoy watching films and discovering music. Follow me on Letterboxd @nickvlah For tips, reviews, or any shoes in a size 13, email nick@soleretriever.com
