By Cameron Lee
February 5, 2025
To celebrate Black History Month, the Hornets have teamed up with digital designer and photographer Mike Jones and Mitchell & Ness on a first-of-its-kind “Black Excellence Jersey” that pays homage to Charlotte through not only its design but also its presentation. Featuring the classic Hornets pinstripes in gold, the jersey spells out historic neighborhoods in the city, such as Brooklyn Village, Beatties Ford, Wesley Heights, Biddleville, Hidden Valley, Grier Heights, and Plaza Midwood, mirroring the design of the original uniforms from the team’s inception in 1988.
With the number four symbolizing the city’s most prominent area code, the design motif was built around the adage “home is where the heart is.” The letters HARTE in Charlotte are creatively highlighted with dogwood petals, representing North Carolina’s state flower. Accentuated with trim symbolizing the significance of gold in African history and culture, the jersey is distinctive yet maintains the classic Hornets aesthetic made famous by original designer Alexander Julian.
The videos directed by Ryan Cruz, Kiyana Christopher, and Wyeth Collins, with voice-over work by David Butler, incorporates notable Charlotte artists like Lute and Mavi; creatives such as Marc Prosper, Carla Aaron-Lopez, and Dammit Wesley; and business owners like Archive CLT owner Cheryse Terry, MacFly Fresh’s Eric Ndelo, and Lloyd Visuals founders Khaleel, Najm, and Maleek, showcasing some of the city’s finest talent.
Introducing the NBA’s first Black Excellence jersey: Home is Where the Harte is.
Get yours at the @hornetsfanshop on Friday. pic.twitter.com/iUpNeyMpmT
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) February 5, 2025
Jones is, of course, no stranger to designing North Carolina jerseys, having previously worked with Charlotte FC on their “Excellence Was Once A Dream” campaign in 2023, which featured his designs on game-worn jersey numbers. He also created a special edition Carolina Hurricanes jersey inspired by Tupac’s The Rose That Grew From Concrete, which sold out almost immediately after its release last year.
“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,” Jones said.
While Jones’s experience and creative talent were an obvious fit for the jersey design, Hornets Chief Marketing Officer Seth Bennett says there may be more collaborations on the way.
“We’re looking for true stories, inspired by the contributions of the individuals and the communities that represent [the city], so we’ll continue to look at some of those initiatives,” Bennett said.
The Charlotte Hornets Mitchell & Ness “Black Excellence Jersey” will be available exclusively at the Hornets Fan Shop on Friday at 11 a.m., retailing at $100.
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