Actively Black Makes History at New York Fashion Week 2025, highlighting Civil Rights Icons on the Runway

This past weekend, September 12, 2025. New York Fashion Week transformed into a powerful celebration of heritage, courage, and style when Actively Black, the Black-owned athleisure brand founded by former NBA player turned visionary designer Lanny Smith, debuted a runway show unlike any other. With living legends, civil rights icons, and celebrity guests in attendance, the show was more than fashion — it was history in motion.

Under the perfect Manhattan night sky at Sony Hall, New York City. Actively Black became alive, showcasing Art, Fashion, and Culture. The emotional highlight of the night came as Dr. Bernice King, daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Dr. Ilyasah Shabazz, daughter of Malcolm X, walked side by side in sweatshirts bearing the images of their fathers. Their symbolic strut represented the unity of two towering legacies that shaped America. Smith also honored their mothers, Coretta Scott King and Dr. Betty Shabazz, underscoring the critical roles they played as matriarchs of the movement.

The show continued to spotlight other legendary figures. Ruby Bridges, now 71, who at just six years old became the first African American child to integrate an all-white elementary school, received a standing ovation as she took the runway. Before her walk, archival footage of the intense opposition she faced in the 1960s played on the big screen. In a stirring reenactment, a young model portraying Bridges was escorted down the runway by two men symbolizing the federal marshals who protected her on that historic day.

Renowned photographer Cecil Williams, whose bold act of drinking from a “whites-only” fountain in 1956 became an enduring civil rights image, proudly walked the runway wearing a sweatshirt printed with a colorized version of his iconic photograph. Another unforgettable moment came when Ben Haith, designer of the Juneteenth flag in 1997, made his runway debut, drawing thunderous applause and cheers from the crowd.

The evening also honored the next generation of leadership. Fred Hampton Jr., son of the late Black Panther leader Fred Hampton, stood proudly as a living continuation of his father’s mission. Known for his work in community activism and as president of the Prisoners of Conscience Committee and the Black Panther Party Cubs, Hampton Jr.’s presence underscored the importance of legacy — a reminder that the fight for justice did not end with the movement of the 1960s but lives on today.

Civil rights legends Tommie Smith and John Carlos, remembered worldwide for raising their fists in the Black Power salute on the medal podium at the 1968 Olympics, were also present and honored. Their courageous protest — made in silence yet reverberating across the globe — symbolized defiance against racial injustice and solidarity with oppressed people everywhere. Seeing the two icons celebrated in the context of fashion and culture reminded the audience that their bold stance over five decades ago remains one of the most enduring symbols of athlete activism and resistance.

The audience was equally star-studded. Actor and musician Tyrese Gibson attended, along with members of The Bob Marley Family @bobmarley, who blessed us with the presence of @saiyan2marley, @kaismarley, and @whoissaramarley walking in our NYFW Show wearing pieces from our @activelyblack x @bobmarley collab!, carrying forward their father’s global legacy of music and revolution. The family of Huey P. Newton, including his wife 

Fredrika Newton, @fredrikanewton, and her grandson joined the celebration, alongside cultural influencers such as Free and AJ (the beloved duo from BET’s 106 & Park), hip-hop legend Ghostface Killah, and activist Tamika Mallory, who continues to lead in the fight for racial and social justice. They also debuted the @basquiatofficial | @activelyblack Collab, @lisanebasquiat, @jessicakellybasquiat, and @richhousereviews walked the runway in a few preview pieces.

Smith brought in an INSANELY TALENTED group of people to execute, and they blew everybody away!! Smith posted a heartfelt “ Thank you” @ayhollywood (Thriller), “Thank you” @thechosynoneofficial_ (The Way You Make Me Feel, Billie Jean), “Thank you” @salif_crookboyz (You Rock My World). “What y’all did on that runway at the @activelyblack NYFW show is LEGENDARY!!” MJ the 👑

With even more spectacular mentions, @urbanforce_phl made history with a jaw-dropping light saber battle on the runway, thrilling the BLERD community and celebrating an epic @starwars collaboration with @lucasfilm. Meanwhile, @we.r.fly, @mookmanshawty, @only1easton, @cash_ceo1, @imcfli, and @vee_fly9 brought the heat, turning the runway into a high-energy celebration while @briblvck’s stunning violin performance serenaded the audience. This show was a bold testament to creativity, culture, and the power of Black-owned fashion.

“I’ve cried three times since last night. Thank you for trusting me with this vision,” Smith wrote on Instagram following the show, reflecting on the weight and responsibility of honoring such monumental figures through fashion.

With its blend of activism, art, and high fashion, Actively Black’s New York Fashion Week show was not just a presentation of style — it was a living tribute to history, resilience, and Black excellence.

Photos By: Quadir @abdquadir1 for @inthecitymagazine