(MENAFN) Lanny Smith, a former University of Houston basketball star, is on a mission to challenge sportswear giants like Nike, Adidas, and Reebok. Disillusioned by the hollow promises of big corporations pledging to invest in Black communities after the death of George Floyd, Smith launched Actively Black, a sportswear company, in 2020.

Smith believes that the $170 billion industry has profited off the Black community's culture, influence, and consumer dollars for far too long without adequately reinvesting back into the Black community. He was determined to beat the industry giants at their own game rather than lobbying for change from within.

Since its launch, Actively Black has grown to become a multimillion-dollar brand valued at $30 million in 2021. It generated $5.6 million in revenue last year while promoting a rotating cast of Black designers and reinvesting 10% of sales into organizations supporting social justice, mental health, and physical health in Black communities in the U.S.

Smith's vision for Actively Black is to create a sportswear brand that represents and empowers Black communities worldwide. He aims to inspire and uplift through his products, using sportswear as a vehicle to create positive social change.

As Smith puts it, "We want to show that Black-owned businesses are not just for the Black community, but for everyone." He hopes that Actively Black will become a symbol of unity, diversity, and progress in the sportswear industry.

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