To increase mental health awareness, the Reebok Collective has partnered with Justin Mensinger—the first season winner of HBO’s streetwear design contest series, The Hype—on Pieces of Us, a limited edition sweatshirt collection. The Chicago-based upcycle designer created six one-of-a-kind pieces that feature mental health messages on repurposed patchwork pieces from the closets of the collective’s very own members, including model and actor Broderick Hunter; television host, author, and chef Lazarus Lynch; model and Shine True docuseries cohost Richie Shazam; global DJ and Unhinged host Amrit Sidhu; Harlem Globetrotter Maxwell Pearce; and dancer Kendra Oyesana. This month, each sweatshirt will be auctioned off on Charitybuzz. All proceeds from the sales, along with an additional $50,000 donation from Reebok, will go toward the sneaker and sportswear brand’s nonprofit partner BOKS, which seeks to instill positive physical and mental health practices into the daily routine of children.

With Pieces of Us, Reebok seeks to continue providing inspiration and mental health support to underserved communities. Below, collective member Broderick Hunter shares why he joined the charitable project as well as his own practice of maintaining his own mental health.

Image: courtesy of Reebok

What are some methods you use to get your mental health back on track on those days when stress takes a toll on you?

I’ve learned a lot about how mindfulness can get me back on track. This can be through meditating, sound healing, and breath work. I share my ways of coping with others in hopes it can help them. Something that’s also important to know is that you don’t have to necessarily struggle with mental health to understand how to guide your way through it.


What prompted you to be a part of this project? 


I really liked what it stood for within the Reebok umbrella. Everything that we see and read has an effect on us. The pieces in the collection are already so cool, but weaving our mental health messages on them in places where others can see and read them really does drive awareness to our cause. Mental health is becoming an increasingly important topic for me. Not so long ago, the conversation just wasn’t being had. I realize that it’s important to pause and check in with ourselves and others. I’m learning that more and more every day. It would’ve been a huge disservice to miss out on being a part of this.

EBONY: In the past, due to the stigma surrounding it, mental health issues in the Black community was downplayed. Have you seen a change with the younger generation?

Broderick Hunter:
Absolutely! I’ve seen a huge change with this generation. There has been a big wave of content from the Gen Z community speaking up on the importance of mental health and having those conversations on how it plays such a vital part in our everyday lives. It’s a new wave of personal health and wellness I’m very much here for.