Coinciding with Black History Month, sportswear brand ’47 has launched a new collection of branded merchandise that celebrates “HBCUs” – a respectful term that refers to “Historically Black Colleges & Universities.”

The line of logoed wearables includes T-shirts, hooded sweatshirts, curved-bill unstructured “dad hats” with strapbacks, and flat-bill structured caps with snapbacks.

Universities represented in the collection include Morehouse College, Spelman College, Clark Atlanta University, Hampton University, Howard University, Lincoln University, Tuskegee University, NC A&T, Grambling State University, Morgan State University, Bethune-Cookman University, and Florida A&M.

This February, '47 is celebrating the progress of higher education opportunities in America with the new HBCU capsule. We worked with our friends at @staysilentPVD to share the stories of HBCU alum like @Jersey_Jinx. https://t.co/ITERd0ObLW pic.twitter.com/bQ5tzZ5Gcl

— ’47 (@47) February 12, 2019

“Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) create an environment that offers students the energy, support, community and most importantly the opportunity for a successful future via the power of education,” ’47 says on its website. “This February, '47 is proud to launch a capsule that celebrates HBCUs and the progress of higher education.”

What an awesome initiative. From our perspective, it demonstrates the important symbolic role that well-crafted, consciously considered branded merchandise/promotional products can play in supporting worthy causes, while commemorating vital history and institutions. Check out some pieces from the capsule below:

Snapback flat-bill caps from ‘47’s HBCU capsule collection. Available here.

Curved bill strapback hats from ‘47’s HBCU capsule collection. Available here.

Florida A&M T-shirt from ‘47’s HBCU capsule collection. Available here.

Lincoln University hooded sweatshirt from ‘47’s HBCU capsule collection. Available here.