• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • GMA3: WYNTK
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2025 ABC News
  • Style

Nike unveils 'Watch Us Rise' Black History Month visuals honoring inspiring leaders

0:25
Serena Williams looks and plays like a superhero in Nike catsuit
Joshua Kissi/Nike
ByJacqueline Laurean Yates
February 05, 2020, 3:47 PM

Black History Month is an annual observance celebrating outstanding achievements as well as the history of prestigious African Americans.

With that, Nike has tapped various leaders of color to create powerful imagery and spread insight into their individual contributions, goals and efforts toward a future they believe in.

"I want to see my people win," said professional BMX rider Nigel Sylvester who is featured. "I want us to feel good about ourselves and our ambitions. I want us to identify the things that we want to accomplish and then take the necessary actions needed to reach those goals."

Sylvester continued, "The most important part is the 'we': being together, being a team, and being a squad that's always here for each other."

Related Articles

(MORE: Nike debuts Air Zoom Pulse sneakers for nurses, doctors, and home health providers)

Other leaders featured in the collection include McKinley Nelson who is the Founder of Project sWish which is a Chicago-based community organization that uses basketball to combat street violence by providing vital resources needed within under-resourced communities.

Amanda Gorman, 19, who is an empowering published author as well as the first-ever Youth Poet Laureate of the United States of America, is also featured.

Related Articles

(MORE: Olympic medalist Ibtihaj Muhammad opens up about the climate strike and living sustainably)

"We might look different," Gorman says in a statement. "Our blackness might show itself both phenotypically
 and culturally in a wide myriad of ways, but there's a certain commonality in what we're willing to fight for.

Related Articles

(MORE: Nike expands sports bras to be more inclusive)

The powerful "Watch Us Rise" BHM '20 imagery also gives us a glimpse of a new Black History Month collection of sneakers from Nike which will officially be released on Feb. 19.

To further push the envelope for Black History Month, Nike is also recognizing 20 U.S.-based nonprofits that offer play and sportprograms, and support education and career development, with a total of $500,000 in grants.

Up Next in Style—

Michelle Obama announces new book on her White House fashion

June 5, 2025

Kate Spade remembered 7 years after her death

June 4, 2025

Hailey Bieber closes $1B rhode deal with e.l.f. Beauty: 'This is only the beginning'

May 28, 2025

Capris are back: How to style and where to shop the trend

May 27, 2025

Shop GMA Favorites

ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Sponsored Content by Taboola

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2025 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2025 ABC News