The Charlotte Hornets announced today the launch of the NBA’s first- ever Black Excellence jersey.
Created by Hornets digital designer and North Carolina native Mike Jones, the “Home Is Where The Harte Is” jersey represents the lasting impact of those who have shaped our community and hopes to inspire present and future generations to continue weaving their stories into the fabric of excellence. The Mitchell & Ness jersey is for retail only and will be available for purchase in the Hornets fan shop on Friday, February 7th.
On the jersey the traditional pinstripes have been replaced with gold text featuring the names of more than 20 prominent Black neighborhoods and streets of Charlotte’s past and present, including Brooklyn Village, Enderly Park, Beatties Ford, Biddleville and more.
Among the other intentional design elements, the letters ”HARTE” within the “Charlotte” wordmark across the chest are flanked with dogwood petals, the state flower of North Carolina, which are a symbol of strength and growth and speak to North Carolina’s beauty. The number “4” is from the city’s first area code, 704. The use of gold throughout symbolizes the significance of gold jewelry in Black culture, as well as the “true gold” that this city possesses.
“As a Black artist, I’m proud to work for an organization like the Charlotte Hornets that values the essence of black culture, storytelling and innovation, and that has also allowed me to follow this passion project of mine through from start to finish,” said Jones. “To me, this jersey not only reflects pieces of Charlotte’s rich Black history, resilience and culture, but also pays homage and highlights the true soul and heartbeat of this city.”
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