A New Photo Series From Girlgaze Highlights Local Heroes in Their Air Force 1s

Of all the sneakers Nike has produced in its storied history, it’s a universal truth that the Air Force 1 is one of the brand’s most important models. The iconic sneaker, which was the first sneaker to implement Nike Air technology, was introduced in 1982 and has since surged in popularity (and we have Nelly to thank, if we’re being quite honest). Just look at the many iterations the original design spawned—Riccardo Tisci and Virgil Abloh already put their own spin on the shoe—or scroll through your social media feeds to see how the ageless, minimalist runner has quickly become a staple for celebs, influencers, and athletes alike.

The Nike Air Force 1 is no longer basketball’s shoe anymore, it belongs to the culture (and no, I’m not talking about the Bella Hadids and Kylie Jenners of the world). To celebrate the cultural impact of the Nike Air Force One, you have to look to streets where the shoe’s versatility is really put to the test by innovative, forward-thinking leaders in the communities. To honor these leaders, Nike joined forces with Girlgaze, a platform dedicated to providing job opportunities by directly connecting female creatives and talents with brand partners, to give photographers across North America the chance to tell the untold stories of heroes in different communities through their lens and how these heroes capture the essence of the Air Force 1.

In the campaign, Los Angeles-based Girlgaze photographer Daria Kobayashi Ritch put the spotlight on 11-year-old Kheris Rogers, who was bullied growing up for her deep brown complexion. Her solution? #FlexinInHerComplexion, the clothing line Rogers launched after she shared a photo of her on Twitter with the hashtag and received over 30,000 retweets.

Nike recruited New York-based photographer Kava Gorna to honor Spiked Spin founder Briana Owens, who launched Spiked Spin, a weekly spin class in the heart of NYC, “in response to the lack of diversity within the boutique fitness industry.” Gorna also celebrated Mr. Whammy, longtime Brooklyn Nets superfan, who is seen in a black and white iteration of the shoe in the campaign to complement his black Brooklyn Nets jersey.

Briana Owens

Kava Gorna for Nike

Other photographers behind the campaign include Heather Hazzan, Alice Liu and Emma Robinson, Alexa Viscius and Ashley Armitage, Thalia Gochez, who highlighted heroes in communities in Chicago, Los Angeles, Toronto, and New York.

“Whether in front of the camera or behind it, we are shedding light on unsung heroes in the community that are creating change to empower those around them,” the brand explained. “They are all voices who understand that we are greater than the sum of our parts as we move forward all for 1.”