Memphian laces up and joins forces with Nike, Lebron James
While sneakerheads across Memphis have taken to social media to praise the yet-to-be-released footwear — available via the Nike SNKRS App Friday— they might not realize that an African-American woman from Memphis helped weave the soul of the city into the fabric.
An alumna of Whitehaven's Rainshaven Elementary School, Brandice Henderson-Daniels' childhood was perfect, by her standards. But decades later, a dramatically different story was written on the wall for fourth-grader LeBron James.
Still, two people on two very different paths were brought together by one vision: Empowering and honoring African-American women.
On the heels of opening a public school in Akron, Ohio that focuses on at-risk children, basketball powerhouse Lebron James recently revealed his
newest endeavor: the HFR X Lebron 16 women’s basketball shoe.
The Memphis hustle
A product of what was once known as the Memphis City School District, Henderson-Daniels lives and breathes the Bluff City.
“So much, if not all, of Memphis lives in my work. It’s the spirit that Memphians have... It’s the hustle that we all have,” she said during a phone interview. .
That hustle — which led her from East High School to the Fashion Institute of Technology and eventually New York — is the backbone of Harlem Fashion Row, a design company that both enables and empowers multicultural designers.
But she didn’t always set out to be a founder of a design company. Her vision of a multicultural resource was brought to life by issues she faced while putting together a fashion show in Harlem.
As she spent days and nights planning, Henderson-Daniels struggled to find designers of color.
“I knew as I was planning the event, ‘I don’t think this is just an event. There’s something else here,’” she said. “I knew that I was supposed to be one of the solutions for this challenge.”
And with a decision that would eventually go on to have a global impact, she founded Harlem Fashion Row.
Through blogs, podcasts, popups and an annual fashion show, the name Brandice Daniels has become well known within the industry. Every five years, she brings her annual fashion event home back to Memphis, where her hometown never fails to show endless support.
She admits there was a time when she wasn’t sure what direction Harlem Fashion Row would take.
“We celebrated our 10 year anniversary last year, and it was a really rough year,” Henderson-Daniels recalled. “I basically said, 'I’m not sure where we go from here.'”
Then, the phone rang.
Lace up, Nike is calling
During a visit to Memphis to see her family and work out planning details of the 2017 show, Henderson-Daniels received a phone call.
“It was someone I hadn’t talked to in a while who told me about the opportunity,” she said. “They wanted to get me in touch with the Nike team to see if I knew any female, black designers who would be great for this project.” And did she ever. Working alongside King James and the Nike design team, Henderson-Daniels and HFR designers Fe Noel, Kimberly Goldson and Undra Duncan designed the HFR X Lebron 16.
“He was so into the designer’s collaboration project,” she said of James. “He loved the fact that three black females designers had come together and worked together on the design.”
And, James wasn’t the only one inspired by their collaboration. The trio left a lasting impression on HendersonDaniels, who said the women formed a sisterhood.
“They understand each other probably more than I understand them because they go through the exact same struggles,” she said.
Even further behind the scenes, yet another group of African-American women — all from Memphis — also played power positions in the release of the shoe. Crystal Oliver, Deondra Henderson and Karleen Roy were instrumental to the launch efforts.
“Oftentimes we think we have to do things so siloed or we have to do them alone, or that creatives can’t come together on one project and do one particular project,” she noted. “I think it’s a testament when we start to work together and not work against each other.”
Dream Crazy, Colin Kaepernick
Nike, who recently released the Dream Crazy campaign featuring NFL player Colin Kaepernick, has been the talk of the internet. Featuring the football player, who took heat for choosing to kneel during the National Anthem in protest of police violence, was a move that didn't sit well with all fans.
While some supported the bold statement of the ad, others went as far as to post pictures online of torn or burnt Nike apparel.
For Henderson-Daniels, working with the company was an honor.
“They heard us. They listened to us. They saw us. Our opinions and our thoughts were important to them. They opened their doors and treated us like equals from day one.
"They’re such a large brand. They don’t need anyone to validate them or to help their brand. So the fact that they would hear us listen to us, respect us, it was an incredible feeling," she tearfully said.
In a cross-over move, HendersonDaniels is currently filming with a major entertainment network to document the life-changing design opportunity. Step by step, her faith has guided her along the way.
“This whole process has been incredible … I’m still overwhelmed, to be honest with you. When they say God can do exceeding more than you can think or ask, it’s true.”