*Howard University is stepping into the spotlight with a unique gift from Jordan Brand: a custom-designed Player Exclusive (PE) Air Jordan 4 tailored for its athletic department.
Unveiled by HBCU Gameday, these navy blue sneakers, accented with black, feature “HU” embroidered laces and a crimson red tongue stitched with “HU YOU KNOW.” A gold-lettered “Howard Bison” hangtag completes the bespoke design, reserved solely for student-athletes, coaches, and staff, with no plans for public sale, Black Enterprise reports. This collaboration underscores a 2022, 20-year partnership between Howard and Jordan Brand, backed by Michael Jordan’s $100 million commitment to support Black communities through systemic change.
Craig Williams, president of Jordan Brand, emphasized the shared vision, stating, “Howard University and Jordan Brand share a legacy of excellence and deep commitment to the Black Community. As an HBCU graduate, I understand the educational impact an institution like Howard University has. We are proud to partner with Howard University and see the growth in Black talent on the field and well beyond it.”
Reflecting on the partnership, Howard University President Dr. Wayne A.I. Frederick said, “We have always been proud of our legacy at Howard University, but we are audacious enough to believe our future could be brighter than our past. Partnering with Jordan Brand is another signal of our ambitions as a university to become an even brighter beacon for Black excellence.”
In a parallel moment of triumph, Howard celebrated its largest-ever graduating class last month, with 3,167 students receiving degrees, a 13% increase from the previous year. Representing 44 states and 29 nations, the Class of 2025 marked a milestone in the university’s 157-year history, showcasing its expanding global influence. The commencement ceremony was electrified by keynote speaker LeVar Burton, who opened with a nostalgic rendition of the “Reading Rainbow” theme, “Butterfly in the Sky,” before delivering a powerful message.
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“Remember that you are descended from some of the most resilient souls in the history of humanity,” Burton told the graduates, adding, “I cannot believe that I am here, at Howard University, the Mecca, to celebrate with you this most auspicious day.” He framed the occasion as “a portal between all that has come before it and all that which is yet to come.”
Board of Trustees chair Laurence C. Morse echoed this sentiment, noting the legacy of alumni who have walked the same path. “Deeply embedded into this terra firma are the footsteps of past alumni who have trod the Long Walk to end their Howard sojourn and receive their hard-earned, well-deserved Howard degree,” he said.
The university shared its pride on X, posting, “This weekend, Howard University celebrated the largest graduating class in our history, 3,167 strong, with none other than the legendary storyteller and literacy champion, LeVar Burton, delivering a powerful, heartfelt send-off to the Class of 2025. From honoring our legacy to embracing the future, Burton reminded us that commencement is more than a ceremony — it’s a passage.”
MORE NEWS ON EURWEB.COM: Howard University Breaks Record With 3,167 Graduates as LeVar Burton Inspires Class of 2025
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