In the fifth year of its Yardrunners initiative supporting historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), Nike is celebrating Morehouse College with a specially designed pair of Air Max 95s.
Morehouse joins Spelman College, Florida A&M University, and Norfolk State University in the group of schools honored with this launch. Nike will release the pair between Oct. 4 and Nov. 1.
That timing is no coincidence. With homecoming season underway, students are already buzzing with excitement.
“It is absolutely amazing that Morehouse College is doing a collaboration for the new pair of Air Max 95s,” said TK Thomas, a senior and president of The Agency, the Atlanta University Center’s fashion and modeling organization. “When people think of one of our wells, which is to be well dressed, people think of clothing, but they don’t necessarily think about the accessories that make you well dressed, too. That includes shoes.”
Thomas, who also serves as secretary of institutional advancement and external affairs for the Student Government Association, said the release represents more than just shoes.
That sense of representation reflects a broader partnership between Nike and Morehouse. In December 2023, Brandon “Jinx” Jenkins, a 2009 graduate, helped lead the release of the Nike Terminator Highs. Nike has long outfitted Morehouse’s athletic teams, but since 2020, the school has expanded access to branded apparel through online shops and the campus bookstore.
Now, the Air Max 95s carry that partnership forward — not just through branding, but through design. The shoe blends tradition with style, tailoring the classic Air Max 95 for homecoming and class reunions. Its animated profile overlays and big bubble units showcase school colors, with the top layer patterned in Maroon Tiger stripes.
Those design choices extend beyond color and style, incorporating elements of Morehouse’s identity. Instead of the Air Max logo, the tongue features a block M with the founding year beneath it. The inside heel carries the school motto, while the insole displays a tiger head.
