Can I ask you a question, why do you love sneakers so much? I have been asked this question so many times I cannot count.

I am not sure I have a single answer.

Sneakers are a symbol of uniqueness. Back when I was younger, the sneakers a person wore told a story. A story of where you were from. A story of how you carried yourself. The first thing I look at when I meet a person is their shoes.

Sneakers is an unspoken culture that connects people from all different walks of life. People who share a common appreciation for a specific sneaker automatically are in tune. Strangers will spark a conversation in the middle of anywhere, all centered around the kicks you are wearing.

Every year I expect the adoration for sneakers to dwindle, but to no avail, it just keeps growing. As a soon to be 45-year-old, sneakers have taken on a new form of connectivity. It connects me with the younger generation. I rarely wear anything other than sneakers. Primarily the Jordan 1 High or low, but only OGs. When the young people I work with see me, they don’t see a stuffy old guy and that is largely because of the heat on my feet. This sneaker is also my daughter, Amani’s favorite sneaker. When my kids’ friends see me, they whisper, “your dad’s shoe game is insane”.

Simply put my love for sneakers has grown into a way to break down barriers. And look fresh to def, while doing it.

As I look to the future, I’ve conceded that it won’t ever dwindle. I am convinced I will be the 85-year-old in some “Chicago 85 OG Jordan 1s”.

✌🏾