“Our experience working with local artists … was truly eye-opening. Each artist brought their own flavor to the collaboration and took to heart the passion behind the highlighted cause of each player.” – Jill Cole, Community Relations Assistant for the Carolinas Panthers

When the Carolina Panthers took the field against the Denver Broncos on Dec.  13, a select group of players carried their passion for philanthropy in their hearts … and on their cleats … onto the field.

For the past five seasons,  each team in the NFL has matched players with local artists for the #MyCauseMyCleats initiative. Charlotte Is Creative partnered with the Panthers to identify ideal artists for this project.

Players select a nonprofit organization that has meaning to them, and the artists design and decorate cleats to tell the story of that nonprofit. After the game, the cleats are donated to the chosen nonprofits or auctioned off by the NFL to raise money on their behalf.

Matching Philanthropic Passion with Creative Prowess

This year, the Panthers wanted to work with artists who had assisted in social justice efforts and the Black Lives Matter murals painted in Charlotte and Spartanburg. After selecting six players to participate in the program — Corn Elder, Tyler Larson, Aaron Montiero, Colin Thompson, Michael Schofield, Tahir Whitehead and Brandon Zylstra — they asked Charlotte Is Creative* to help them identify artists for the program. 

Throughout November, players and artists collaborated on the designs, which were unveiled at the game against the Broncos. 

“Our experience working with local artists … was truly eye-opening,” said Jill Cole, community relations assistant for the Carolinas Panthers. “Each artist brought their own flavor to the collaboration and took to heart the passion behind the highlighted cause of each player.”

This project gave the Panthers a new insight into the Queen City’s creative prowess. “As Charlotte continues to transform and grow, local artists are playing a vital role in helping shape Charlotte’s identity as a vibrant and evolving community,” Cole said. 

We asked artists who created shoes for the Panthers to share their experiences. 

Artist: CHD:WCK

Player: Tyler Larsen, Center
Nonprofit: The Autism Community in Action

What was the inspiration behind the design?

“I took a lot of input from Tyler on the shoes. He’s very passionate about the organization The Autism Community In Action (TACA) … His son was diagnosed with Autism and I really wanted to include as many elements relating to autism awareness as I could. The color scheme, as well as the puzzle pieces, reflect that.” 

What was this experience like for you as an artist?

“I love being able to communicate visually, and I’ve recently been exploring creating artwork on apparel, so to do something new, and to do it for a positive cause, was a great experience.” 

If you’d like CHD:WCK to design shoes for you:

CHD:WCK is considering customizing clothing items, including shoes and sneakers, in the future, but isn’t taking commissions at this time.

Watch a Video of Tyler Lawson sharing the inspiration behind his cleats.

Artist: DeNeer Davis

Players: Brandon Zyltstra, Wide Receiver &  Michael Schofield, Guard
Nonprofits: One Love & The Schofield Family Foundation

What were the inspirations behind the designs? 

“When I found out I was going to be doing [One Love], I got excited because ‘love’ is everything I stand for and after hearing about One Love and doing the cleats, it inspired me to want to get involved with them.”

“‘Love is the most important thing in our lives!’ I wanted to place [this quote] on the cleats as a gentle reminder: Love. It’s all we need!”

“My inspiration behind The Schofield Family Foundation was the many pillars they support dealing with family.” 

What was this experience like for you as an artist?

“ Amazing … I was honored to receive the call. It was like a dream come true .”

If you’d like Davis to design shoes for you:

• email: neerperfection87 at gmail.com
• Instagram: @NeerPerfection
• Expect two to three weeks for turnaround

Artist: Marcus Kiser

Player: Aaron Montiero, Tackle
Nonprofit: Charlotte Rescue Mission

What was the inspiration behind the design? 

“Aaron … wanted to focus on substance abuse and addiction. So, we chose Charlotte Rescue Mission (residential recovery programs that help men and women struggling with addiction achieve long-term sobriety).

“My design was based on elements of Charlotte Rescue Mission’s logo, which is a mended, broken heart. I wanted to take broken design elements and create a beautiful unified design … to represent recovery, love and healing. Aaron also wanted to go with a red, black and white color theme to represent his hometown. This just happens to be Charlotte Rescue Mission’s brand colors, too. He also wanted to include his mom’s name.” 

What was this experience like for you as an artist?

“This was my first time painting shoes, so I had to learn pretty quickly due to the short timeline. It was a new experience. I actually bought an airbrush. It was my first time using an airbrush and despite some learning curves, I really loved the experience.” 

If you’d like Kiser  to design shoes for you:

• Visit KiserCorp.me
• email: kisercorp at gmail.com
• Expect two to four weeks for turnaround

Artist: Lo’Vonia Parks

Player: Corn Elder, Cornerback
Nonprofit: City Year

What was the inspiration behind the design?

“The inspiration was ‘90’s nostalgia. I included Corn’s favorite color (Carolina blue), his social justice cause (Black Lives Matter) and the organization (City Year). Result: Red and blue crazy pattern and color!”

What was this experience like for you as an artist?

“This experience was a pleasant experimentation pushing beyond the canvas into wearable art.”

If you’d like Parks  to design shoes for you:

• email: lovoniaparks at gmail.com
• Visit LovoniaParks.com
• Expect two weeks for turnaround

Artist: Frankie Zombie

Player: Tahir Whitehead, Left Back
Nonprofit: Training Recreation Education Center (TREC)

What was the inspiration behind the design? 

“It’s what I call my ‘energy signature aesthetic.’ It’s a perfect blend of ‘graffiti nuances in abstract form.’ The information Tahir provided about Training Recreation Education Center (TREC) in New Jersey is that it’s where youth of the city can come to excel in many things.” 

“I’m originally from New York, which is right next door to New Jersey, and the graffiti nuances remind me of where I come from —  the Bronx . It reminds me of the beginnings, the struggle — wanting to find an outlet that keeps me out of trouble and the major love for color that I developed early.” 

“The abstract form of the graffiti is a testimony of where my abstract work has taken me in my art career — from the U.S to Amsterdam, etc. With players like Tahir creating a hub for youth to know they matter in this world as young kings and queens is highly important, and this is the kind of energy I spread through my artwork.” 

What was this experience like for you as an artist?

“The experience for me was humbling, first and foremost, and also much of a ‘right at home’ feeling for me … I provide custom shoe services to clients and celebs, but, more importantly, before each custom shoe I make, it is my duty to build a relationship with that person and find a common ground where we are both spreading a positive message to the rest of the world. [That’s] exactly what #MyCauseMyCleats stands for.” 

If you’d like Zombie to design shoes for you:

• Text: 347.572.4416
• Visit FrankieZombie.com
• Expect two to four weeks for turnaround

Artist: Destiny Wilson (a.k.a. @TheArtvst)

Player: Colin Thompson, Tight End
Nonprofit: Athletes Helping Athletes (AHA)

What was the inspiration behind the design? 

“I wanted to use the features of the shoe to incorporate the organization (Athletes In Action) by highlighting the letters ‘A.H.A.’ Colin mentioned the toe area of his cleats are always visible, so I made sure to include their logo on the right toe and spelled the organization out on the left. 

“I also incorporated a silhouette of one athlete throwing a football on the left cleat to the other athlete catching the ball on the right cleat to get the theme of Athletes Helping Athletes across.” 

What was this experience like for you as an artist?

” There were a lot of ‘firsts.’ Although designing and customizing shoes is currently my focal medium, I never worked with a pair of cleats before or worked with the materials on the shoe.” 

“I got to discuss the cause with Colin over Zoom, and this was also my first time even attending a football game. This project also happens to be the quickest turnaround time on a custom pair of shoes…”

“Overall, I had a wonderful time working with Colin and his cause he wanted to support. I can say this was a challenge I didn’t know I needed and an experience I won’t forget!”

If you’d like Wilson to design shoes for you:

• email: theartvst at outlook.com
• Instagram: @TheArtVst
• Watch on YouTube
• Expect three to five weeks for turnaround

Hear Destiny Wilson Speak about Her Experience on WBTV’s QC LIfe