Posted by Actively Black
on September 25, 2026
Essence featured Actively Black, the Black-owned athleisure brand founded by Lanny Smith in 2020, in Skylar Mitchell's July 2024 story "The Nigerian Olympic Uniform By Actively Black Is A Nod To Community." Published days before the Paris 2024 opening ceremony, the piece walked through how our brand and Portland design studio Amen, Amen. created Team Nigeria's competition and ceremonial looks. Essence focused on the craft, the culture and the personal meaning of the project for Smith.
Key takeaways
- Essence reported that Actively Black created Team Nigeria's competitive and ceremonial uniforms for the Paris 2024 Olympics in partnership with Amen, Amen. Studio, founded by Jordan Jackson and Danielle McCoy.
- According to Essence, the design concept, called "The Market," was built to represent the diversity and cultural nuance of Nigerian identity.
- Essence reported that the opening ceremony looks used the adiré tie resist-dyeing technique and the closing ceremony prints used wax resist-dyeing, both handmade so every piece is unique.
- The ceremonial looks were made from Funtua cotton in the green and white of the Nigerian flag, with silhouettes drawn from the senator suit, buba dress, danshiki and Sokoto pants, according to Essence.
- Essence reported that the outfits were manufactured by local artisans in Lagos and that the project featured Nigerian photographers and models.
- According to Essence, Smith recently discovered his own Nigerian ancestry and saw the project as a kind of homegoing.
In Lanny's words
“This project allows me to experience the fantasy of participating in the Olympics.”
— Lanny Smith, to Essence
“This only deepened the sense of pride and responsibility I feel in representing Nigeria”
— Lanny Smith, to Essence
“The larger vision for Actively Black has always been to scale into a global brand.”
— Lanny Smith, to Essence
Why it matters
Essence called the uniforms a nod to community, and that is exactly how we see them. The kit was made in Lagos by local artisans, built on Nigerian textiles and techniques, and photographed by Nigerian creatives. Smith told Essence it was important that Nigerians see themselves in the designs and were included in every aspect of bringing the project to life. That is what ownership and reinvestment look like in practice.
It also connects to Smith's own story. As he told Essence, after the injury that ended his basketball dreams he leaned into faith, which led to his first brand, Active Faith Sports, and taught him the power of a purpose-driven brand. Actively Black carries that forward for the global diaspora, and Team Nigeria was the first step toward the transnational partnerships Smith described.
Shop the story
Bring the Paris pride home with our Team Nigeria Kit, explore the Actively Black Olympic Collection, and shop all performance.
Frequently asked questions
Who founded Actively Black?
Actively Black was founded by Lanny Smith, a former professional basketball player who previously started Active Faith Sports. The Black-owned brand launched in 2020.
What did Essence say about Actively Black?
In July 2024, Essence reported that Actively Black designed Team Nigeria's competitive and ceremonial Olympic uniforms with Amen, Amen. Studio, using Funtua cotton and handmade adiré and wax resist-dyeing techniques.
Is Actively Black Black-owned?
Yes. Actively Black is a Black-owned athleisure brand, and Smith told Essence the Olympics were a chance for a small Black-owned brand to compete against giant legacy brands.
Who designed Team Nigeria's Paris 2024 uniforms?
According to Essence, Actively Black created the uniforms in partnership with Portland-based Amen, Amen. Studio, founded by Jordan Jackson and Danielle McCoy.
Read the full feature: The Nigerian Olympic Uniform By Actively Black Is A Nod To Community, Essence (July 2024)
