To continue its support and recognition for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), Nike reveals the third Yardrunners drop, using the Dunk Low silhouette to feature four HBCU institutions.

The widely known brand recently announced the third iteration of the Yardrunners collection that launched in 2020 to honor the history, contributions and heritage of historically Black colleges and universities and their alums.

Originally started by Nike HBCU graduates, the initiative develops and connects with the brand every year on its collective commitment to work alongside leaders and creatives in the HBCU network to contrive motivational storytelling and charity for the community.

With the initiatory Yardrunners release, Nike is connecting with HBCU business owners and entrepreneurs who are about pushing the culture forward.  This activation highlights HBCU alumni whose goal is to build a strong legacy that will stimulate and encourage future generations.

In the meantime, Yardrunners 3.0 is still focused on the preceding endeavors. Nike is giving a voice to community leaders to help share bonafide stories, co-create culturally essential products, host events on campus during homecoming, award scholarships and evolve networking opportunities through their Nike University recruiting team. The team was created in 2021 to focus on engaging candidates from diverse backgrounds.

The 2022 Yardrunners collection comprises apparel and accessories emphasizing 19 HBCUs, including the newest additions of Prairie View University, Grambling State University and Hampton University, and is now available via Nike.com.

In addition, Nike has also chosen to highlight four schools: Tennessee State University, Clark Atlanta University, Florida A&M University and North Carolina A&T University through the Dunk Low sneaker and is set to drop the collaborative HBCU-licensed footwear with the creative assist from four Black HBCU women who have incorporated their own stories, and inspirations at each university.

Nike Dunk Low “North Carolina A&T“

Created with Arial Robinson, a Yardrunners 2.0 alumni, Charlotte, North Carolina resident, and current student at N.C. A&T, pursuing Multimedia Journalism at the University, her accomplishments are abundant.  She has been titled 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.

As seen on AfroTech, Robinson went from publicizing a fake Nike campaign to really designing a sneaker for the company. Way to go sis!

Nike Dunk Low “Florida A&M”

Designed alongside Caitlyn Davis, a Yardrunners 1.0 and Florida A&M University alumna who also has great achievements.  During her time on “The Hill,” she became an entrepreneur, and a few years later she is still influential in her city of Atlanta to students of FAMU and beyond.

Nike Dunk Low “Clark Atlanta University”

Heather Haynes is continuing to build her family’s legacy, as a Yardrunners 1.0 alum and the daughter of two HBCU alums.  She attends Clark Atlanta University and her goal is to connect Black people from all paths of life in her contributions as a video director and global marketer.

Nike Dunk Low “Tennessee State University”

Kalynn Terrell is a fashion designer and Yardrunners 1.0 alumni who polished and refined her creative expertise during her time attending Tennessee State University.

Along with the availability on the SNKRS app, Nike has provided each respective HBCU with first access to students in a Nike store close to each campus with a wider release at each University’s homecoming.

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