Raptors 905 sporting Black History Month jersey’s designed by Toronto artist

As the Raptors 905 return from a three game road trip, fans of the G-League team will notice a new look as the team is sporting a special jersey for Black History Month designed by legendary Scarborough artist Mark Stoddart.

Honouring the past, present, and future#RoadToTheSix | #BlackHistoryMonth pic.twitter.com/DK5cAQUG9W

— Raptors 905 (@Raptors905) February 4, 2022

“This was an honor that the Raptors 905 requested myself to contribute and tell the story of Black History Month,” Stoddart told CityNews. “And for me, as an artist, I’m always challenged to create designs that kind of encourage people to do more critical thinking.”

Stoddart has worked with the Raptors franchise over the last few years, gaining North American attention for his co-design on the team’s Black Lives Matter tribute apparel worn by them in their 2020 NBA bubble season in Orlando.

Rise in power pic.twitter.com/YhW9aunA9R

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) August 17, 2020

For the 905 jerseys, there are many intricate details that Stoddart incorporated into the design to create discussion, awareness and also celebrate Black History Month.

“I took Adinkra symbols on the front and wanted to embellish it by adding my own flair to it and so the patterns that are on the jerseys that are black and white represent hope, faith and togetherness of all of us coming together as a symbol called beloved.”

Adinkra symbols on Raptors 905 Black History Month jersey created by Scarborough artist Mark Stoddart. TWITTER/Raptors 905

“I love basketball and I always feel it is a team sport but collectively, if you work as one unit to get the job done collectively as a community, then you’ve got a winning team. So I think that symbol tells us they are a community that is helping pull it together.”

“On the side panel, it’s another Adinkra symbol that I embellished with the Maple Leaf that ties independence, emancipation and freedom.”

Scarborough artist Mark Stoddart speaks about his Raptors 905 Black History Month jersey which includes an Adinkra symbol embellished with the Maple Leaf. TWITTER/Raptors 905

Stoddart has been creating conversation and change with his art for decades but recently his artwork and words have been thrust into the global sports spotlight.

“It’s been great because as much as I’m telling my story, I’m impacting the community as a whole. I’m from Scarborough and there are always negative stories that happen here, but there are some positive stories that come out of that. And just to nurture getting back into the schools and allowing young people to have their voice and understand art can be that vessel for them to express their voice and to give back in those ways and inspire the next generation. We are here to make impactful ways of change. I am very grateful.”

https://twitter.com/Raptors905/status/1494387117073616898

Aside from his art, Stoddart helped create the online series ‘Friday Flowers’ where they share personal stories of Black men speaking their truth about showing love and appreciation to the ones they love while they are still alive.

“There’s a lot of people who’ve lost people and the level of grieving, and I just wanted to change the narrative that we as a people can actually honor people now. And I want that to continue and grow. And it shouldn’t be just me, it should be anybody, but someone that’s dear to your heart and let them know how important they are to you now. I hope it continues beyond me.”

The Raptors 905 play their last home game of the month Thursday night when they host the Wisconsin Herd in Mississauga.