As Seen In: Actively Black in the Press

Actively Black is a Black-owned athleisure brand founded in 2020 by Lanny Smith, a former University of Houston basketball player. Our story has been covered by The New York Times, Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, CNBC, NBC’s TODAY, ESSENCE and more. Every feature below links to our recap and to the original story.

The New York Times logo
Forbes logo
Inc. logo
Fast Company logo
CNBC logo
NBC TODAY logo
ESSENCE logo
Black Enterprise logo
theGrio logo
AfroTech logo
Houston Chronicle logo
The Shade Room logo

Inc. Best in Business 2025

Featured as “Most Uplifting Brand”

Read our recap

Fast Company Brands That Matter 2023

Honored on the General Excellence list

Read our recap

Olympic outfitter

Team Nigeria at the 2022 Winter Olympics and Paris 2024

Read the NYT recap

TV and video

Press

Podcasts

Images and logos are courtesy of the publications and shows credited on each card. All rights belong to their respective owners.

Frequently asked questions

Who founded Actively Black?

Lanny Smith, a former University of Houston basketball player whose NBA career with the Sacramento Kings ended with a knee injury, founded Actively Black in 2020.

Is Actively Black Black-owned?

Yes. Actively Black is a Black-owned athleisure and athletic apparel brand whose mission is to celebrate Black culture and uplift and reinvest in the Black community.

Where has Actively Black been featured?

Actively Black has been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, CNBC, NBC’s TODAY, ESSENCE, Black Enterprise, AfroTech, theGrio, The Shade Room, Scripps News, the Houston Chronicle, ABC13 and KPRC 2 Houston, and on podcasts including The Breakfast Club, That Moment with Daymond John and Jemele Hill’s Spolitics.