Entertainment
Bigger Than Sneakers Academy teams up with design legend Aaron Cooper to create a new sneaker – Andscape
Bigger Than Tennis is all about culture.
Its co-founder Matt Tomamichel recently began cooperation with a footwear and clothing brand EQLZ in the colours of the new Bigger Than Tennis x EQLZ 247 “North Star” basketball shoes. Unlike last yr’s collaboration with Jordan Brand, the sneakers were designed by academy students.
There are sneakers sold online at Corporate Got Em for $180 and a part of the proceeds will go to BTS Academy.
The BTS Academy is a free, three-week summer session for 14 highschool students. They receive roughly 60 hours of programming. This yr’s session focused on branding, marketing, materials, apparel and footwear design. As a part of the ultimate project, students collaborated to create their very own brands. Each day they focused on different topics and listened to guest lecturers who work in the sector.
Founded in 2018, EQLZ has established itself within the performance footwear segment. When creating the most recent 247 model, the corporate wanted to create basketball shoes that will be an extension of the human foot. In particular, the design team includes several industry veterans Aaron Cooperwho, during his 25 years at Nike, designed distinctive basketball shoes for basketball stars LeBron James, Scottie Pippen, Kevin Garnett and others.
Tomamichel first connected with Cooper on Instagram a few years ago. “I showed him respect and told him what I was doing here, and he really liked it,” Tomamichel said. “(Cooper) basically gave us every chance. He said, “I believe in you, I trust you, where you are going.” The design legend spent a while in Cincinnati before asking Tomamichel if the academy wanted to produce the shoe.
“Of course I do,” Tomamichel said. “We didn’t plan it (this way), but yes, let’s do it.”
In an email to Andscape, Cooper said programs like Bigger Than Tennis are “extremely important” to the following generation of footwear professionals. He believes that children need more equal opportunities and tries to help wherever he can.
In June, the designer brought a white version of the sneakers to the academy. After the lecture, he tasked the scholars with creating a story and color scheme. “It was a hands-on job for Cooper,” Tomamichel said. “He came in, taught it, and the kids just took it in.”
Cooper said multiple teams of scholars worked together to present their ideas, and at the tip everyone voted on the one they felt most spoke to their needs.
As a part of the design process, students also had to persuade all the class that their design was possible. “If they still had any questions or needed help after a thorough Google search, I was there to help them and provide answers,” Cooper said. Because he mentioned the “North Star” several times during his presentation, students expanded on this concept, identifying the shoe’s name as a tenet to help align with what “really matters to you.”
The Bigger Than Tennis x EQLZ 247s “North Star” is black with shades of purple to represent the night sky. Sparkles on the shoe’s outsole symbolize stars, while blue and pink were added to represent gases within the sky.
When the scholars showed Tomamichel what they’d, he was impressed. After the pitch, Cooper began his development phase. “He basically designs everything in the shoe,” Tomamichel said. “He knew what would work and what wouldn’t work, and then he put it together.”
Quinn Smith, a student on the academy, said selecting colours to convey the message was a difficult a part of the design process. “(We wanted) to make sure that the message could be interpreted without having to say too much or that there wasn’t too much to say,” she said.
Another student, Chase Harpold, shares her sentiment. “It was difficult to translate everyone’s ideas into sneakers and create an easy-to-wear and cohesive color that clearly represented our story.” Harpold said he knew the project was complete when “everyone agreed it was the best final product we could design.”
Samiya Oyeyemi, who worked with Smith and Harpold, found the colour palette easy. The real challenge was constructing the shoe. “We had so many different ideas and inspirations and we all wanted to put an aspect of our beliefs into the shoe,” she said.
All three agreed that the ultimate product closely reflected their initial design goals. Smith said their success is just not just a victory for the academy, “but for people all over the world.” Oyeyemi found that the efforts of designing a shoe paled as compared to working with her peers. “Even when we had moments where we struggled to come up with the concept of the shoe, we had a great time working as a team and designing it,” she said.
Cooper understands the ability of sneaker design. “I was inspired to become Nike’s first intern in 1994 because I also believe it is bigger than sneakers,” he said. “I have seen how shoes inspire communities to come together, share stories and break down barriers.”
The feedback from students and the opportunities it has created are a large a part of why Tomamichel founded Bigger Than Tennis. As an adopted person, he considers himself very lucky to have family and friends. His tenet is to support others and provides back to society.
“I want people to feel that their dreams can come true,” he said. “They haven’t got to live within the shadows and say, ‘Man, I’ve all the time wanted to do that, but I’ve never done it.’ I prefer to encourage quite than tell someone they shouldn’t do something. I’ve heard way an excessive amount of about it.”
@shotbydubs/Kevin Watkins
Executive director Natalie Morean said each student can only attend the academy once, but she supports children after they complete this system. Former students return as peer mentors for current students, and the academy provides other volunteer opportunities all year long.
“We don’t want to spend three weeks with you and then push you out the door,” Morean said. “We want to consciously decide how we create relationships with students.”
Bigger Than Tennis is a nonprofit organization that relies on fundraising, corporate sponsorships and grants. Morean said the cash goes primarily to students. The organization feeds them on daily basis, takes them on field trips and offers them an iPad that they will keep after the three-week session.
The BTS Academy is positioned in Cincinnati, with plans to expand to Indianapolis and Dayton, Ohio. Tomamichela The corporation has themfootwear and clothing boutique, has locations in all three cities.
Morean wants “sustainable and intentional growth,” but believes they’ll proceed to limit the number of scholars to about 14. “I think it’s a really good choice,” she said. “It’s still a small enough place where you can get to know all the students individually… but as we continue to grow, I definitely think the capacity should expand as well.”
Tomamichel praised Morean for Bigger Than Tennis’ progress. “In 2020, I felt like people needed something positive. I started praying that Bigger Than Tennis would have a better structure to make everything work,” he said. “The next week I met Natalie and within two months she was a director.”
Morean, who earned a master’s degree in nonprofit management and leadership from the University of Georgia, has worked with students and youth programs for years. She shared her inspirations with laughter.
“I grew up as the oldest of four children and was always around my younger siblings,” she said. “I just really enjoyed being a big sister, maybe it will make me have a career.”
Entertainment
The art collector left his mark on TheGrio’s Masters of the Game
In the next episode of Masters of the Game, hosted by Touré, we introduce you to Shirley and Bernard Kinsey, an influence couple who’ve dedicated their lives to preserving African American history through art and artifacts. Through greater than 50 years of marriage and a shared passion for education and history, the Kinseys have built one of the largest and most influential private collections of African American history in the world.Kinsey collection— making them true champions of history, art and cultural preservation.
Art collectors
The Kinseys have long believed in the transformative power of education. For them, educating others means sharing the wealthy history of African-American culture through art and historical artifacts. Their collection includes works by iconic artists corresponding to Ernie Barnes, Charles Alston and Beauford Delaney, nevertheless it is their collection of rare historical documents that really stands out. Among their treasures is a heartbreaking nineteenth century letter delivered by an enslaved girl who couldn’t read – she was sent from one plantation to a different under false pretenses. The next work of their collection is Zora Neale Hurston’s brave and hilarious letter to her ex-husband, through which she asks him to remain out of her life endlessly.
From humble beginnings to becoming one of the most influential black couples of our time, Toure’s conversation with the Kinsey family takes us on a journey through the depth, resilience and radiance of African-American culture. Their collection not only preserves history, but in addition inspires future generations to inform their very own powerful stories, making the Kinseys true masters of the game. Don’t miss this episode of “Masters of the Game” at 8 p.m. ET on Friday and 1 p.m. ET on Saturday on TheGrio Cable Network.
Entertainment
Simone Biles torn apart after giving George Strait’s wife a ‘vulgar look’ while fans came to her defense
Did Olympic gymnast Simone Biles cut George Strait’s wife’s eyes on the Country Music Awards?
Some people think so after a viral video of Biles, 27, showing her frustration within the audience on the 58th annual CMA Awards on November 20.
In several clips circulating online, the 27-year-old gave Strait’s wife, Norma Strait, a “dirty look” on the annual awards show where her husband was honored with the John Paul II Lifetime Achievement Award. Willie Nelson.
“Does anyone know if there is a dispute between Simone Biles and George Strait’s wife?” – one in all the X users asked on the evening of this system.
X’s post included a clip of Biles looking nervous as Norma and other attendees danced in the gang on the Lifetime Achievement Award ceremony tribute performance.
The tribute to the “King of Country Music” featured country stars Lainey Wilson, Jamey Johnson, Miranda Lambert and Parker McCollum. Additionally, Chris Stapleton joined Strait on stage to walk through the “Honky Tonk Hall of Fame” to conclude the segment.
Speculation about Biles’ possible disdain shown on the CMA Awards has turn into a topic of debate online, with fans and critics taking sides in the controversy.
“I watched it live and wondered the same thing, and then death looked up and down, she definitely hated!” answer on X platform he stated.
Original X poster he replied“As long as I’m not the only one who saw it.”
However, the legendary gymnast had her defenders. For example, user X sent“He’s probably just watching her reaction (honestly) without thinking about the cameras.”
“Nothing happened” – another person he argued. “George Strait’s wife doesn’t care about messy things like that. It looks like Simone could have a resting face. She wasn’t the one black person either. There are many Black people in country music, from singers to musicians.
George Strait, 72, makes a rare appearance with wife Norma on the 2024 CMA Awards #George #quarrel https://t.co/ua4Xcsjdsq pic.twitter.com/vYByc0Ub6k
— DHNDE (@dhndecom) November 21, 2024
Similar entry To read“I saw it and cringed, it’s just her face, but she should politely decline if she doesn’t like country music.”
Another fan he wrote“She probably saw the camera give attention to George Strait’s wife and just looked around curiously. I do not think she’s giving a mischievous have a look at all, she just looks like she’s noticed that the camera is specializing in the people next to her.
Despite questions on Biles’ on-screen response, the multiple-time world champion expressed her excitement to attend the 2024 CMA Awards on the day of the event.
Biles reposted photos from the evening on her Instagram Story. In one photo, shared by hairstylist Justin Revenge, the Olympic gold medalist showed off the short red dress she wore to the red carpet, in addition to the silver off-the-shoulder dress she wore to the CMA Gala.
The star of the Netflix docuseries “Simone Biles Rising” appeared at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville to present the Female Vocalist of the Year award to country singer Lainey Wilson.
Lainey Wilson won the Female Vocalist of the Year category, beating out fellow nominees Kelsea Ballerini, Ashley McBryde, Megan Moroney and Kacey Musgraves.
Biles herself had a successful 12 months as an athlete. The Texas native won 4 medals on the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, bringing her profession total to a record 11 victories for an American gymnast.
However, Vice President Kamala Harris couldn’t replicate Biles’ success because the Democratic presidential candidate in 2024. Harris lost to former President Donald Trump within the nationwide election.
Biles publicly called on current Democratic President Joe Biden to take a stand on behalf of American women before Republican MAGA leader Trump enters the White House on January 20, 2025.
“Mr. Biden, you need to stand up, straighten your back and shake some things up before you go… xoxo women of America,” the Olympian wrote on Twitter on November 6 in response to the election results.
Entertainment
What do you know about Cynthia Erivo?
With the discharge of Wicked fast approaching, it’s protected to say that Cynthia Erivo is on fire straight away.
The film adaptation of the Broadway musical (which is an adaptation of a best-selling novel based on one other novel) is about to open to over $175 million worldwide this weekend, and Erivo has just landed a significant deal.
Universal Pictures has struck a first-look cope with its production company Edith’s Daughter, Deadline reported.
“Having spent the last three years working with Donna Langley, Peter Cramer and the Universal team on Wicked, I have experienced first-hand the love and fearlessness with which they tell stories and uplift narrators,” said Erivo. “I am absolutely delighted to take the next step in our cooperation under our first-look agreement. This is not only a milestone for my production company, but also a testament to the power of storytelling and the importance of diverse voices in film. I can’t wait to bring our visions to life and share them with the world!”
However, some could also be just discovering the 37-year-old from Stockwell, London (where she was born right into a family of Nigerian immigrants) or may don’t know about her background and profession to this point. There’s quite a bit to like about the Emmy, Grammy and Tony winner – and much more to grasp beneath the surface. Below we have gathered some things you have to know about Erivo, including some very necessary ones.
He is a Broadway sensation
Before Erivo became a star of the silver screen, she made a reputation for herself on the stage. The actress’ breakthrough role was the role of Celie within the musical adaptation of “The Color Purple” on Broadway. From 2015 to 2017, she delivered critically acclaimed, groundbreaking performances, winning the 2016 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.
She has played several iconic black characters
Aretha Franklin, Harriet Tubman and Recy Taylor are black American historical figures immortalized on screen by Erivo, who has played all of them in movies. Shortly after her Broadway run in 2017, Erivo played Taylor in “The Rape of Recy Taylor.” She then starred as Tubman within the 2019 film “Harriet.”
In 2021, Erivo played Franklin within the National Geographic anthology “Genius: Aretha”. While critics praised her performance, Franklin’s family had a special tackle the project, claiming she was never consulted and even felt “disrespected” by the production team.
He is a queer icon
Earlier this yr, Erivo received the Schrader Award from the Los Angeles LGBT Center as a self-proclaimed member for her talent and support of the queer community.
“Acknowledging that I am queer publicly – especially in the public eye – means taking a risk to claim my freedom,” she said in her speech through which she agreed to return out as queer later in life. “It seems we prefer to see the world in black and white rather than accept the difficult (but beautiful) complexities of our humanity.”
Although it has never been explicitly confirmed, Erivo has long been considered one half of a fairly powerful Black Hollywood power couple, as she is commonly seen at red carpet events alongside fellow industry heavyweight Lena Waithe.
He has a novel sense of fashion
From shaving her eyebrows to her signature long and ornamental nails, Erivo is understood for her daring sense of fashion. Her uniqueness was even incorporated into her makeup for “Wicked.” The makeup artist used stencils to attract eyebrows and add freckles. Meanwhile, a special shade of green face and body makeup was developed to make Erivo’s melaninated skin appear “clearly” on screen, and the shade was named “Cynthia Green,” the film’s makeup artist said People Magazine. It’s value noting that despite the hours-long application process required day by day for months of filming, she also said that Erivo “never, ever, ever complained.”
She doesn’t suffer fools
Social media was abuzz this week with response to actor/podcast host Dax Shepard’s invasive query about Erivo’s signature elaborate manicure, specifically how he moves through it while using the lavatory. When footage of her interview with Shepard hit the Internet, many individuals were quick to sentence its inappropriateness, asking her how she wipes herself while having very long, jeweled nails.
“My answer is that no one wipes their ass with just their fingers. You use wipes, right? And you wipe it off,” she replied calmly.
Erivo further expressed her annoyance with this query; the one she had exhibited before.
“I understand, it annoys me. Come on, guys,” she said. “I understand, but I’m a functioning adult and I’ve never walked around smelling like… you know.”
People participating within the discussion found this query rude, disgusting and invasive. It can also be, as Erivo identified, unoriginal. In response to this viral exchange, some have responded by demonstrating how they adapt these very human processes to long fingernails – and shockingly, it’s just about the identical process we have all been doing since potty training. It’s really not that complicated.
He has some questionable tweets in his search history
When it was announced in 2018 that Erivo would play Harriet Tubman within the biopic “Harriet,” the British actress’s seemingly problematic comments made years earlier about the language of Black Americans inevitably resurfaced. As previously reported by theGrio, this compounded existing questions about the choice to forged British-born Erivo because the historical African-American hero, given what some perceived as a disdain for African-American culture.
“As for the tweets, they were taken out of context, giving me no room to explain what they meant – and they weren’t actually mocking anyone,” she explained on the time: Complex reported. “It was not intended to be (offensive) at all. It was to celebrate a song I (wrote) when I was 16.”
Speaking further about the controversy during an event on the Toronto International Film Festival, she said: “I actually have never… never spoken negatively about people because I don’t desire to; I don’t desire this energy to be passed on to others.”
She continued: “I do not think it’s good for us in any respect; I do not think it serves any purpose apart from to bring negativity into my life and yours, and I just don’t desire that.
Perhaps he has some tension with the band in “The Color Purple.”
For unknown reasons, Erivo claims she was not invited to a special screening of the musical “The Color Purple” for family and friends, which was also attended by other members of her Broadway forged. It’s a bit strange that the Tony-winning revival star wasn’t on the guest list. When asked about her apparent rejection in the course of the interview and whether it reflected her initial considerations for Celie’s role within the film adaptation, Erivo suggested she couldn’t talk about it.
Despite every little thing, he’s capable of admit his mistake
Erivo can have had mixed emotions previously as a result of questionable comments or her unwavering passion for her craft, but she is ultimately capable of admit when she was incorrect. In the lead-up to Wicked’s premiere, fan-made art got here to light that edited the film’s poster to look more like the unique Broadway Playbill, obscuring Erivo’s direct gaze with the brim of her witch hat. The actress was initially very offended, but later admitted that she can have overreacted.
“I think for me it was a human moment…” she later explained. “I probably should have called my friends, but I’m fine.”
After all, she is an expert
Say what you want, but Cynthia Erivo is robust and talented. He can also be a one that is alleged to place the nice of the team ahead of his personal glory. During a recent appearance on “Cutting room floor” podcast, she described her technique of coming into harmony together with her “Wicked” co-star Ariana Grande and the way the 2 worked together to create a unified sound fairly than resorting to diva-like behavior in an try and outshine one another.
For example, although she and Grande have very different voices, Erivo noted that what they’ve in common is way more necessary.
“I think what connects us is the way we hear music, so we can hear each other,” she explained. “And the beauty of singing with someone who can also hear is that you follow each other back and forth. We can find ways to make our textures and sounds make sense, and that’s really hard with humans.”
Erivo added: “It also signifies that you found someone completely selfless because they care about working with you, and being an element of that’s essentially the most amazing thing. When you find someone who’s committed to creating sound together, (there may be) no ego.
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