Dear Pennies & Pens,
A few weeks ago, I was browsing through a Facebook group that I’m in when I discovered that PUMA had created a Black History Month collection. I thought this was super dope because you don’t see many mainstream brands acknowledging Black History. That said, I knew I had to feature the collection here on de la Pen…All Pen Everything.
While I was unable to attend the launch event since it was held in LA, I was able to connect the event’s publicist who sent me photos of the collection. To find out more about the event, read the copy from the press release below.
PUMA & Shiekh Shoes celebrated the launch of The PUMA Black History Month Collection at a private dinner on the Penthouse level of the Mastro’s Beverly Hills Steakhouse. The evening brought out some of young Hollywood’s movers and shakers to celebrate not only Black History Month but also the legacy of Dr. Tommie Smith.
Prior to guests enjoying a hand selected three course meal they were treated to spoken word by Michael “Halla” Williams who is often recognized for his spoken word by Russell Simmons who created Def Poetry Jam. The evening included intellectual conversation along with crafted cocktails courtesy of D’USSE Cognac.
At the close of the event honoree Dr. Tommie Smith was gifted with a custom remake of the famous picture of him standing on the 1st place pedestal back in the 1968 Olympic Games painted by Al-Baseer Holly formerly of Philly’s Most Wanted.
Each guest left with the PUMA Black History Month collection including the iconic PUMA Suede, the PUMA Sky II Hi, and a cohesive apparel collection featuring the BHM Podium Jacket and Pant as well as the BHM Salute Short Sleeveless Hoodie. Additionally, guests walked away with custom PUMA engraved Look See Designs clear boxes to display and preserve the limited editions sneakers.
It truly seems like the event was a major success and I am thrilled to see a brand like PUMA honoring the legacy of Dr. Tommie Smith and Black History Month. Dr. Tommie Smith is definitely one of my main sources of inspiration!
The iconic photo of him winning 1st place at the 1968 Olympics inspired my pose on the cover of #MakeUrPenLOUD: How To Be A Lifestyle Blogger. It was such a bold move to hold up the fist at an event like that, so I wanted the pose to be celebrated but I also wanted recreate it in my own way.
Keep up with PUMA by visiting their website here: www.puma.com. Check out #MakeUrPenLOUD: How To Be A Lifestyle Blogger here: Createspace, Amazon, Kindle.
And there it is. de la Pen…All Pen Everything. With us, keeping it real never goes wrong.
