Today, people in the US celebrate the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day to pay tribute to the leader of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 60s. What better day could we choose to present to you the brand-new Nike Black History Month (BHM) collection of 2016. This year’s line includes basketball signature shoes of Nike’s Big4 NBA superstars as well as two different Air Jordan 1s and an Air Force 1 plus matching apparel. Besides basketball shoes a total of 28 BHM products cover tennis, football, running, Nike iD and Jordan Brand. Nike focuses on “The Power of One” theme combined with a multi-color pattern of red, orange, green, blue and yellow, yet furnishing each model with a certain uniqueness.
Nike Kobe XI Elite Low BHM
Now available at KICKZ.COM
The Kobe 11 BHM comes in mostly blue and black and a fine, multi-colored flyknit pattern in the mid section of the low top silhouette. Taking a look on the insole a “Power of One” lettering will catch your intention. The white swoosh and white outsole top off the stylish look.
Nike Kobe 11 BHM (via Nike.com)
Nike Kobe 11 BHM (via Nike.com)
Nike Kobe 11 BHM (via Nike.com)
Nike honors Kobe’s achievements with this year’s BHM collection (via Nike.com)
Nike Kyrie 2 BHM
Now available at KICKZ.COM
The Kyrie 2 BHM features this year’s special color theme on the strap and on the laces in a flashy manner contrasting the rest of the black upper. The outsole is also painted in three colors supporting the versicolor appearance.
Nike Kyrie 2 BHM (via Nike.com)
Nike Kyrie 2 BHM (via Nike.com)
Nike LeBron XIII BHM
Now available at KICKZ.COM
Another model that can’t be missed out on for the Black History Month is the LeBron XIII BHM which shows off the color theme all over the upper in bigger shapes. The white swoosh and the white and translucent outsole set themselves apart from the rest of the shoe.
Nike LeBron XIII BHM (via Nike.com)
Nike LeBron XIII BHM (via Nike.com)
Nike LeBron XIII BHM (via Nike.com)
Nike KD 8 BHM
Available on January 23, 9 AM CET at KICKZ.COM
Be sure to watch out for the KD8 BHM with the swoosh, laces and tongue covered in multi-colors, whereas the low-top silhouette keeps a plain impression held in black. The white outsole is speckled with the typical colors of the 2016 BHM models. Another special feature is the blue component in the outsole.
Nike KD 8 BHM (via Nike.com)
Nike KD 8 BHM (via Nike.com)
Air Jordan 1 Retro High Nouveau BHM
Available on January 22nd, 9AM CET at KICKZ.COM
The Air Jordan 1 Retro High Nouveau BHM is another highlight of this year’s BHM pack and comes with a clean look. Upper in black, outsole in white, as easy as that. Only the swoosh, the tongue and the upper part of the hightop silhouette feature the vivid Pan African-inspired color palette.
Via Nike
Via Nike
BHM Apparel
Available on January 22nd at KICKZ.COM
Matching apparel for the shoes is indispensable to complete your BHM outfit.The Jordan BHM Cap, the BHM Po Hoody, the BHM Tee and last but not least the BHM Multi Top are perfect matches to whatever BHM shoe model you will prefer.
Previous BHM releases
Professional athletes love the BHM collections and it’s not a surprise that they are proud to represent them on the playing field and the NBA hardwood. Basketball being dominated by black athletes (with notable exceptions, of course) is on display in the media every day and therefore a perfect stage to support the cause of the Black History Month. And we also can’t deny that they just look great and put some players’ swag to a new level. Here are some examples of BHM shoes worn on court.
2011’s collection in black and gold
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 17: Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball during a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Staples Center on January 17, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2011 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 17: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball during a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Staples Center on January 17, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2011 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 17: Black Nike shoes are shown during a game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on January 17, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. Nike-sponsored athletes are wearing the shoes in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Black History Month. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2011 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 17: Black Nike shoes are shown during a game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on January 17, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. Nike sponsored players are wearing the shoes in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and Black History Month. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2011 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
The 2013 BHM collection focused on the mantra “Be bold. Be true.”
Nike BHM 2013 Commercial
at the Pepsi Center on January 20, 2013 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
CHICAGO, IL – JANUARY 21: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers puts up a shot over Jimmy Butler #21 of the Chicago Bulls on January 21, 2013 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2013 NBAE (Photo by Gregory Shamus/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – JANUARY 20: Kevin Durant #35 of the Oklahoma City Thunder handles the ball against Danilo Gallinari #8 of the Denver Nuggets on January 20, 2013 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2013 NBAE (Photo by Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – JANUARY 21: of the Chicago Bulls of the Los Angeles Lakers at the United Center on January 21, 2013 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Lakers 95-83. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – JANUARY 21: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates after making a three pointer against the Los Angeles Clippers on January 21, 2013 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2013 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – FEBRUARY 9: Jeff Adrien #4 of the Charlotte Bobcats dribbles to the basket against the Philadelphia 76ers during the game at the Wells Fargo Center on February 9, 2013 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2013 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
In 2014, the BHM Collection spanned across performance and lifestyle featuring purple, burgundy, gold, black, grey and the new BHM print graphic.
NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 20: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks wears the Jordan Melo sneakers during a game against the Brooklyn Nets at Madison Square Garden in New York City on January 20, 2014. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2014 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 20: Mirza Teletovic #33 of the Brooklyn Nets shoots against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden in New York City on January 20, 2014. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2014 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 20: Deron Williams #8 of the Brooklyn Nets shoots against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden in New York City on January 20, 2014. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2014 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 20: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks dribbles against Alan Anderson #6 of the Brooklyn Nets during a game at Madison Square Garden in New York City on January 20, 2014. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2014 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
Other former BHM releases have become very popular with sneaker lovers and here are some of the nicest samples. The 2015 series held in black and white was one of the cleanest collections.
Nike BHM 2015 Commercial
Via Nike
Via Nike
Via Nike
Via Nike
Via Nike
Via Nike