Target Gets A+ for 2021 Black History Month Collection
I was on Facebook a few weeks ago when I saw a viral post about people loving Target’s new Black History Month collection, which immediately got my attention. I love all things Black, especially [things] with dope designs that honor Black leaders and history makers. Without a doubt I wanted to make a Target run because it’s not so often that you have access to cute everyday wear that honors your ancestors, is affordable and readily accessible. On a trip to Austin, Texas last month, I stopped into a Target store and purchased several pieces that I liked including a hoodie designed by an HBCU student.
This year Target debuted the winners and designs from its inaugural HBCU Design Challenge. The college students competed for the chance to have their work appear on merchandise sold as part of Target’s 2021 assortment. This Black History Month collection includes three designs from the up-and-coming HBCU students, in addition to exclusive items designed by Target’s in-house design team.
I love that the collection has something for everyone in the family. It’s also very diverse from piece to piece where no two items look the same. I’ve seen many “Black History Month” collections where it honestly is so lazy — no thought or creativity at all. It goes something like this: It’s an outline of Africa with Dr. King’s face.
Like…that’s the best you have to offer?
It’s nothing wrong with Africa or Dr. King, of course, but Blackness is infinite and so is our past and present. There are many, many people, signs and symbols that personify who we are as a people. There is absolutely no shortage of material.
One of the reasons I think Target got this collection right is because it went to the source [Black people] to create it. Some of those people include Target employees like Shanetta Trundle, associate accessories designer, Flora Ekpe-Idang, senior brand marketing manager and many others. I mean who could create apparel honoring Black history better than Black people themselves? The HBCU design challenge was genius and gave me even more incentive as a consumer to purchase. After all, I am an HBCU graduate. Howard University.
Target says this Black History Month collection, now in its sixth year, is just one piece of its Black Beyond Measure campaign, a platform focused on celebrating Black life every day of the year as part of its ongoing commitment to support and uplift the Black community.
So far so good.
S.
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