The Wisconsin Herd played in one-of-a-kind Black History Month jerseys. Artist Patrick “Patcasso” Hunter painted the portraits with the theme of “Be the Light” to represent the power of living a life of purpose, inspiration and bringing attention to situations that need to change. The jerseys also featured a traditional African Kente Cloth design turned into a circuit board throughout the piping, numbers and words to showcase the intersection of Art within Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM). Each player will play in a jersey that represents a different legend.
The 12 living and past legends include: Bessie Coleman, Frederick Douglass, Paul “Showtime” Gaffney and Herbert “Flight Time” Lang, Vice President Kamala Harris, Reverend Jesse Jackson, Earl Lloyd, Kenny “The Jet” Smith, Dr. Tommie Smith, Harriet Tubman, Reggie Van Lee, Madam C.J. Walker and Booker T. Washington.
Read more about these legends’ accomplishments below:
Bessie Coleman
Bessie Coleman was the first African American woman and first Native American woman to hold a pilot license. Not only was she the first black person to earn an international pilot’s license, but she also refused to participate in aviation events that prohibited the attendance of African Americans. She had a goal to open a school for young black aviators but died before she could accomplish that dream.
Frederick Douglass
Frederick Douglass escaped slavery and became the national leader for the abolitionist movement in Massachusetts writing three autobiographies.
Paul "Showtime" Gaffney and Herbert "Flight Time" Lang
Former Harlem Globetrotter from 1993-2008, Paul created Gaffney Athletic Preparatory Academy to filter STEM concepts through the lens of Athletics STEM (Science Technology Engineer & Math).
Vice President Kamala Harris
Kamala Harris is the first Female African American and Asian American elected Vice President of United States and second African American woman to serve on United States Senate.
Reverend Jesse Jackson
The shadow US Senator and Presidential Medal of Freedom award recipient known for his political and social activism work with Martin Luther King Jr and Operation Push.
Earl Lloyd
Earl Llloyd was the first African American to play in an NBA game. Earl’s Son, Kevin Lloyd, will be attending as we help gather signatures to get his father on a US Postage Stamp.
Kenny "The Jet" Smith
Kenny is currently a basketball Commentator for Inside the NBA on TNT, Smith is a 2x NBA Champion as a Houston Rockets.
Dr. Tommie Smith
Tommie Smith won a gold medal at 1968 Summer Olympics 200- meter sprint. He protested Racism and Injustice to African Americans by raising a fist on first-place podium.
Harriet Tubman
Harriet Tubman was an American Abolitionist that escaped slavery and made around 13 missions to rescue approximately 70 slaves through the underground railroad
Reggie Van Lee
The 2008 Black Engineer of the Year and top ranked Business Consultant worldwide was appointed by President Obama to President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities, Current Chair of Washington DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. Serves on the Board of Directors for Julliard and many other arts organization
Madam C.J. Walker
Madam C.J. Walker was the first female self-made millionaire in America founding Madam C.J. Walker Manufacturing Company focused on creating cosmetics and hair care for black women
Booker T. Washington
Booker T. Washington was an American Educator, Author, and Orator and Adviser to several Presidents of the United States. The Founder of National Negro Business League that challenged the Jim Crow segregation and called for black progress through education and entrepreneurship.
