ATLANTA, GA (October 22, 2021) – CLC, the nation’s leading collegiate licensing company, and sports media outlet Bleacher Report, in collaboration with basketball great Chris Paul, have teamed up with top designers from around the country to launch an exclusive apparel collection highlighting six Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

The limited fashion collection is a continuation of Chris Paul’s longtime support for HBCUs. This particular collection, led and developed by Chris’ long-time stylist Courtney Mays, celebrates the legacy, history and culture of HBCUs, as well as the diversity amongst Black creators and Black-owned fashion brands. Artists were selected to create a unique design for each participating institution to highlight the impact of creativity, business-savvy, and celebrations had by all who proudly call themselves supporters, alumni, or current students of HBCUs.

A portion of the proceeds from the HBCU collection will be donated to the Social Change Fund United. Founded by NBA superstars Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony, and Dwyane Wade, the Social Change Fund United supports a robust constellation of organizations on the frontlines of liberating Black people and advocating for communities of color through improved policies, representation, and narrative change. Other NBA and WNBA stars who help steward the fund include Candace Parker, CJ McCollum, Khris Middleton and Natasha Cloud. The fund focuses on initiatives in five areas that impact Black communities across the country: Public Safety & Criminal Justice Reform, Civic Engagement, Economic Investment, Arts & Education and Health Equity..

The HBCU Collection features designs created by renowned fashion artists and cultural icons. Each artist created a university-specific design unique to this collection. Artist collaborations by university included:

• Clark Atlanta University – Kumasi Sadiki, designer and co-founder of streetwear brand Good Company, created the CAU design. The Good Company acts as a clubhouse for creatively disposed kids in inner-city settings, tying in well with the Clark Atlanta motto, “I’ll Find a Way or Make One.” Both Sadiki’s sister and father are HBCU alumni.
• Florida A&M University – Michael Nicholas from DIEM and Ryan Jackson, founder of streetwear brand LFANT created the FAMU design. Both Diem and LFANT are rooted in narrative driven designs and products. Due to their previous Bleacher Report collaborations and personal ties to the school, Nichols and Jackson’s creative vision fit the bill for this collection.
• Howard University – Tahir Murray designed this collection when he was a senior at Howard and is also the founder of streetwear brand Legacy History Pride. The apparel series pays homage to Howard’s core values of Truth & Service and touts a bit of swagger stating Howard’s unofficial nickname — The Mecca.
• Jackson State University – Maxwell Osbourne is the founder of Public School NY, a streetwear brand that embraces the company motto, “to find perfection in imperfection.” Osbourne used his expertise in sports and fashion to design a small collection for Jackson State that reflect a new age of youth, which harkens to a new era of the Jackson State football team.
• Morehouse College – Georgia native and founder of avant garde streetwear brand Denim Tears Tremaine Emory was tapped to create designs for Morehouse. Emory has made a name for himself in the creative industry with his colorful and flowery patchwork and collaborations with brands like ASICS and Levi’s.
• North Carolina A&T – Chris Gibbs, who is the founder of renowned streetwear brand Union Los Angeles was paired with North Carolina A&T to show hometown love to one of Chris Paul’s favorite HBCUs.

CLC coordinated the participation of the six HBCUs, with royalties from merchandise sales going back to the institutions. The HBCU collection is available online at The Bleacher Report Shop.

About Social Change Fund United

The Social Change Fund United, founded by Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, and Dwyane Wade, was established to invest in and support a robust constellation of organizations on the frontlines of liberating Black people and advocating for communities of color through improved policies, representation, and narrative change. The Social Change Fund United supports critical and timely issues impacting the Black community including ending police brutality, economic equity, voting and civic engagement.

About CLC

CLC is the nation’s leading collegiate trademark licensing company with a mission to elevate college brands through insight and innovation. The company is uniquely positioned to deliver consumer connections and brand visibility for institutions through data-based, customized solutions that include impactful licensed merchandise strategies and innovative marketing platforms to navigate the ever-evolving consumer and retail marketplace. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, CLC is guided by values to serve others, build trust, lead well, innovate often, and be passionate. Founded in 1981, CLC is a part of LEARFIELD, the leading media and technology services company in intercollegiate athletics.

About Bleacher Report

Bleacher Report is a leading sports media brand reaching more than 150 million hyper-connected young sports fans each month through distribution of premium content. It is the #1 sports brand driving engagement and video views across all social platforms and the Bleacher Report app, while fueling offline engagement through unparalleled experiences that blend sports with culture. Bleacher Report has a portfolio of brands that includes House of Highlights, B/R Football, B/R Kicks, B/R Gridiron, The Walk-Off and B/R Betting, delivering customized content that caters to the unique passions of its fans across its owned and operated channels and world-leading social platforms. Bleacher Report is a division of Turner Sports, which provides it access to premium live content from the NBA, Major League Baseball, NHL and NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship. Find Bleacher Report on the industry-leading Bleacher Report app, www.bleacherreport.com and on Instagram @BleacherReport.

Media Contacts:

Tammy Purves, CLC, tammy.purves@clc.com, 770-321-2499

Tyger Danger, Bleacher Report, tdanger@bleacherreport.com, 954-646-3312