Converse’ is releasing its second Breaking Down Barriers collection – this time honoring the 1954-1955 Crispus Attucks High School basketball team’s achievement in being the first all-Black team to win the Indiana State Basketball Championship.
The achievement came in the face of incredible adversity and would ultimately help break down racial barriers for generations to come.
The Converse Breaking Down Barriers collection includes a Pro Leather and Chuck 70 and comes alongside the brand’s $50,000 contribution to the Crispus Attucks High School athletic department in celebration of the incredible story.
“This collaboration with Converse has been so special. From the opportunity to share the rich history of the Crispus Attucks basketball program to seeing that history woven into the design of these shoes has been remarkable,” said Chris Hawkins, Crispus Attucks athletic director and head boys basketball coach “They’ve proven this campaign is about so much more than the game of basketball, they’ve invested in our school and our students to ensure they have the resources necessary to push past their own barriers in life. For that, we are grateful.”
The collection is available now on converse.com and select retailers, including Foot Locker.
About the collection:
The Breaking Down Barriers collection champions’ the 1954-1955 Crispus Attucks High School team colors, as well as materials representative of their varsity letterman’s jacket on the original basketball sneaker, the Chuck 70 and the classic Converse Pro Leather.
Converse Breaking Down Barriers Chuck 70
- Available in Vintage White, the Chuck 70 is complemented by Green and Amarillo – visible across its classic midsole stripe and leather Chuck patch
- Additionally, the history-making team is honored with four embroidered stars on the lateral side to celebrate the team’s four state championships
- In addition, the Crispus Attucks’ tiger logo is added to the tongue while a Breaking Down Barriers badge is found on the footbed.
Converse Breaking Down Barriers Pro Leather
- The combination of Vintage White, Green and Amarillo is also applied to the Pro Leather
- Incorporating felt material throughout the upper, the Pro Leather – a ‘70s basketball icon made famous by Julius “Dr. J” Erving – sees mismatched Star Chevron logos on each lateral and medial side
- Design points found on the Chuck 70 are also visible on the Pro Leather in the form of an embroidered tiger logo and four embroidered stars, both found on the heel
